Prove the following by using the principle of mathematical induction for all $n \in N$:
$1+\frac{1}{(1+2)}+\frac{1}{(1+2+3)}+\ldots+\frac{1}{(1+2+3+\ldots+n)}=\frac{2n}{n+1}$

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let the given statement be $P(n)$,i.e.,
$P(n): 1+\frac{1}{1+2}+\frac{1}{1+2+3}+\ldots+\frac{1}{1+2+3+\ldots+n}=\frac{2n}{n+1}$
For $n=1$,we have
$P(1): 1=\frac{2(1)}{1+1}=\frac{2}{2}=1$,which is true.
Let $P(k)$ be true for some positive integer $k$,i.e.,
$1+\frac{1}{1+2}+\ldots+\frac{1}{1+2+3+\ldots+k}=\frac{2k}{k+1}$ .........$(i)$
We shall now prove that $P(k+1)$ is true.
Consider the sum up to $(k+1)$ terms:
$S_{k+1} = \left(1+\frac{1}{1+2}+\ldots+\frac{1}{1+2+3+\ldots+k}\right)+\frac{1}{1+2+3+\ldots+k+(k+1)}$
Using $(i)$,we get:
$S_{k+1} = \frac{2k}{k+1} + \frac{1}{\frac{(k+1)(k+2)}{2}}$ [Since $1+2+\ldots+n = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}$]
$S_{k+1} = \frac{2k}{k+1} + \frac{2}{(k+1)(k+2)}$
$S_{k+1} = \frac{2}{(k+1)} \left(k + \frac{1}{k+2}\right)$
$S_{k+1} = \frac{2}{(k+1)} \left(\frac{k^2+2k+1}{k+2}\right)$
$S_{k+1} = \frac{2}{(k+1)} \left(\frac{(k+1)^2}{k+2}\right)$
$S_{k+1} = \frac{2(k+1)}{k+2}$
Thus,$P(k+1)$ is true whenever $P(k)$ is true.
Hence,by the principle of mathematical induction,the statement $P(n)$ is true for all $n \in N$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Prove the following by using the principle of mathematical induction for all $n \in N$:
$\left(1+\frac{1}{1}\right)\left(1+\frac{1}{2}\right)\left(1+\frac{1}{3}\right) \dots\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)=(n+1)$

Prove the statement by the Principle of Mathematical Induction: $2^{3n} - 1$ is divisible by $7$ for all natural numbers $n$.

Difficult
View Solution

Prove the statement by the Principle of Mathematical Induction: For any natural number $n$,$x^{n}-y^{n}$ is divisible by $x-y$,where $x$ and $y$ are any integers with $x \neq y$.

If $n$ is a positive integer,then $2 \cdot 4^{2n+1} + 3^{3n+1}$ is divisible by

When $P$ is a natural number,then ${P^{n + 1}} + {(P + 1)^{2n - 1}}$ is divisible by

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo