# Thread: Prove: each square is the sum of 2 consecutive triangular numbers

1. ## Prove: each square is the sum of 2 consecutive triangular numbers

Is the following an acceptable proof (be harsh )?

$t_k=1+2+3+\ldots+k=\frac{(k+1)k}{2}$
$t_{k-1}=1+2+3+\ldots+(k-1)=\frac{k(k-1)}{2}$
$\Longrightarrow t_{k-1}+t_k=k^2 \text{ } \square ?$

I mean, is the induction also required? Even if not, I need help with it:

• Base case - $k=1$: $1^2=t_0+t_1=0+1=1$; define $t_0=0$.

• Induction - $k=k$: suppose $k^2=t_{k-1}+t_k$.
Then $(k+1)^2=t_k+t_{k+1}=?$ ... how do I use the supposition?

2. Just show that

$\frac{(k + 1)k}{2} + \frac{(k - 1)k}{2} = k^2$...

$\frac{(k + 1)k}{2} + \frac{(k - 1)k}{2} = \frac{k^2 + k}{2} + \frac{k^2 - k}{2}$

$= \frac{k^2 + k + k^2 - k}{2}$

$= \frac{2k^2}{2}$

$= k^2$.

3. Done that, just didn't write it down. The Halmos $\square$ sign (with a "?" mark) indicates whether this is enough ... or is induction also needed (even if it is not, still help me with the induction step ).

MOD request: Can you please restore my spam-hijacked question?

4. $t_{k + 1} + t_k = \frac{(k + 2)(k + 1)}{2} + \frac{(k+1)k}{2}$

$= \frac{k^2 + 3k + 2}{2} + \frac{k^2 + k}{2}$

$= \frac{2k^2 + 4k + 2}{2}$

$= \frac{2(k^2 + 2k + 1)}{2}$

$= k^2 + 2k + 1$

$= (k + 1)^2$.

5. Is this induction (not saying that it isn't, I just don't know)? I mean, isn't it necessary to use $k^2=t_{k-1}+t_k$ equality?

6. Originally Posted by courteous
Is the following an acceptable proof (be harsh )?

$t_k=1+2+3+\ldots+k=\frac{(k+1)k}{2}$
$t_{k-1}=1+2+3+\ldots+(k-1)=\frac{k(k-1)}{2}$
$\Longrightarrow t_{k-1}+t_k=k^2 \text{ } \square ?$

I mean, is the induction also required? Even if not, I need help with it:

• Base case - $k=1$: $1^2=t_0+t_1=0+1=1$; define $t_0=0$.

• Induction - $k=k$: suppose $k^2=t_{k-1}+t_k$.
Then $(k+1)^2=t_k+t_{k+1}=?$ ... how do I use the supposition?
In my opinion, even a drawing should suffice in this case! Take a square like this

* * * *
* * * *
* * * *
* * * *

and split it up into two triangles along the main diagonal, with one of the triangles including the diagonal.

7. This is just a special case of $t_3+t_4$.
Guess I learned something about proving things ... and not trying to prove the obvious.

8. Originally Posted by courteous
Done that, just didn't write it down. The Halmos $\square$ sign (with a "?" mark) indicates whether this is enough ... or is induction also needed (even if it is not, still help me with the induction step ).

MOD request: Can you please restore my spam-hijacked question?
You have given a very nice proof...

Suppose you were unaware of the proof you gave in your first post and were feeling lazy...

Here is the "Proof By Induction" method

The triangular numbers are 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28,....

1=1^2

1+3=4=2^2

3+6=9=3^2 etc

P(k)

$t_{k-1}+t_k=k^2$

P(k+1)

$t_k+t_{k+1}=(k+1)^2$

Try to show that P(k) being valid (even if we don't know whether it is or not)
will cause P(k+1) to be valid.

Hence write P(k+1) in terms of P(k).

Proof

$t_k+t_{k+1}=t_k+t_{k-1}+k+(k+1)$

$=k^2+2k+1$ if P(k) really is valid

$=(k+1)^2$

Now the line of dominoes is in place, hence you need to check if the first one falls.

$1+3=4=2^2$ true

$0+1=1=1^2$ true, depending on where you want to start from.