Thread: Prove true through mathematical induction

(n^2)-n+2 is even

How do I set up the problem to equal an even number?

Originally Posted by lrb

(n^2)-n+2 is even

How do I set up the problem to equal an even number?

Dear lrb,

Since an even number is a number which can be divided by two, you can write any even number by 2k where k is an integer. Hope you can continue.

It's easy to show this without induction: n^2 - n + 2 = n(n - 1) + 2, and one of n or n - 1 is even.

To do it using induction, follow the outline in this post.