171k views
2 votes
Prove the statement holds for all positive integers:

2 + 4 + 6 + ... + 2n = n² + n

User Noamtm
by
6.6k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Proving a relation for all natural numbers involves proving it for n = 1 and showing that it holds for n + 1 if it is assumed that it is true for any n.

The relation 2+4+6+...+2n = n^2+n has to be proved.

If n = 1, the right hand side is equal to 2*1 = 2 and the left hand side is equal to 1^1 + 1 = 1 + 1 = 2

Assume that the relation holds for any value of n.

2 + 4 + 6 + ... + 2n + 2(n+1) = n^2 + n + 2(n + 1)

= n^2 + n + 2n + 2

= n^2 + 2n + 1 + n + 1

= (n + 1)^2 + (n + 1)

This shows that the given relation is true for n = 1 and if it is assumed to be true for n it is also true for n + 1.

By mathematical induction the relation is true for any value of n.

User Oliora
by
6.5k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.