: Prove that ∑k=1nk2=6n(n+1)(2n+1), ∀n≥1.
Proof by Mathematical Induction:
Step 1: Base Case (n=1).
LHS: ∑k=11k2=12=1.
RHS: 61(1+1)(2(1)+1)=61⋅2⋅3=1.
Since LHS = RHS, the formula holds for n=1.
Step 2: Inductive Hypothesis.
Assume the formula holds for some positive integer m:
∑k=1mk2=6m(m+1)(2m+1)
Step 3: Inductive Step.
Prove the formula holds for n=m+1:
∑k=1m+1k2=∑k=1mk2+(m+1)2
Substitute the inductive hypothesis:
=6m(m+1)(2m+1)+(m+1)2
Factor out (m+1):
=(m+1)[6m(2m+1)+(m+1)]
=(m+1)[62m2+m+6(m+1)]
=(m+1)[62m2+m+6m+6]
=(m+1)[62m2+7m+6]
Factor the quadratic 2m2+7m+6=(m+2)(2m+3):
=6(m+1)(m+2)(2m+3)
This is the RHS for n=m+1.
By mathematical induction, the formula is true for all n≥1.
The proof is complete.
: Prove that ∑k=1n(2k−1)2=31n(4n2−1).
Step 1: Expand the term (2k−1)2.
∑k=1n(2k−1)2=∑k=1n(4k2−4k+1)
Step 2: Split the summation and apply known summation formulas.
=4∑k=1nk2−4∑k=1nk+∑k=1n1
Using ∑k=1nk2=6n(n+1)(2n+1), ∑k=1nk=2n(n+1), and ∑k=1n1=n:
=4(6n(n+1)(2n+1))−4(2n(n+1))+n
=32n(n+1)(2n+1)−2n(n+1)+n
Step 3: Factor out n and simplify.
=n[32(n+1)(2n+1)−2(n+1)+1]
=n[32(2n2+3n+1)−(2n+2)+1]
=n[34n2+6n+2−2n−1]
=n[34n2+6n+2−3(2n+1)]
=n[34n2+6n+2−6n−3]
=n[34n2−1]
=31n(4n2−1)
This matches the RHS.
The proof is complete.
: Prove that n3−n is divisible by 6 for all n≥1.
Step 1: Factor the expression n3−n.
n3−n=n(n2−1)
Using the difference of squares formula, n2−1=(n−1)(n+1):
n3−n=n(n−1)(n+1)
Step 2: Rearrange the factors.
n3−n=(n−1)n(n+1)
This expression represents the product of three consecutive integers.
Step 3: Demonstrate divisibility by 2 and 3.
- Divisibility by 2: In any set of three consecutive integers, at least one integer must be even. Therefore, their product (n−1)n(n+1) is always divisible by 2.
- Divisibility by 3: In any set of three consecutive integers, exactly one integer must be a multiple of 3. Therefore, their product (n−1)n(n+1) is always divisible by 3.
Step 4: Conclude divisibility by 6.
Since the product (n−1)n(n+1) is divisible by both 2 and 3, and 2 and 3 are coprime, the product must be divisible by 2×3=6.
Thus, n3−n is divisible by 6 for all n≥1.
The proof is complete.