[SOLVED] Prove 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + ... + 1/n > 2n/n+1

• July 26th 2009, 06:11 AM
the undertaker
[SOLVED] Prove 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + ... + 1/n > 2n/n+1
Prove that:

1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + ... + 1/n > 2n/n+1

where n > 2
• July 26th 2009, 06:33 AM
red_dog
Prove by induction.
• July 26th 2009, 07:00 AM
artvandalay11
Proof by Induction
Quote:

Originally Posted by the undertaker
Prove that:

1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + ... + 1/n > 2n/n+1

where n > 2

This will be a proof by induction

For the base case let n=2. $1+\frac{1}{2}>\frac{2(2)}{2+1}$

So $\frac{3}{2}>\frac{4}{3}$ which is true so the base case holds

Now we'll assume the statement is true for n and consider it for n+1

$\frac{1}{n+1}+\sum_{k=1}^n \frac{1}{k}>\frac{1}{n+1}+\frac{2n}{n+1}=\frac{2n+ 1}{n+1}$

$\frac{2(n+1)}{(n+1)+1}=\frac{2n+2}{n+2}$

Is $\frac{2n+1}{n+1}>\frac{2n+2}{n+2}$

$(2n+1)(n+2)=(2n^2+5n+2)$
$(2n+2)(n+1)=(2n^2+4n+2)$ (this is an analysis via cross multiplication)

And since 5n>4n for all n, $\frac{2n+1}{n+1}>\frac{2n+2}{n+2}$ so the statement is proven by induction