Final answer:
The principal value of releasing an increment is to validate assumptions made when developing the product.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principal value of releasing an increment in the context of software development, particularly in the Agile framework such as Scrum, is to validate assumptions made when developing the product. When an increment is released, it allows the development team to gather feedback from users or stakeholders, which can help validate or invalidate the assumptions made during the development process. It helps in determining if the product meets the users' needs and expectations.