 
                 
                InterviewSolution
 Saved Bookmarks
    				| 1. | If P(n) is the statement “n(n + 1) is even”, then what is P(3)? 1 + 2 + 22 + … + 2n = 2n + 1 – 1 for all n ϵ N | 
| Answer» Let P(n) = 1 + 2 + 22 + … + P(n): 1 + 2 + 22 + … + 2n = 2n + 1 – 1 for all n ϵ N Step1: P(1) = 1 = (2) – 1 = 1 Thus, P(n) is equal to 2 n + 1 – 1 for n = 1 Step2: Let, P(m) be equal to 2m + 1 – 1 Then, 1 + 2 + 22 + … + 2m = 2m + 1 – 1 Now, we need to show that P(m+1) is true whenever P(m) is true. P(m+1) = 1 + 2 + 22 + … + 2m + 2m + 1 = 2m + 1 – 1 + 2m + 1 = 2.2m + 1 –1 = 2m + 2 – 1 Thus, P(m+1) is true. So, by the principle of mathematical induction, P(n) is true for all nϵN. | |