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I am working exercices on the Principle of Mathematical Induction and I am not sure how to get out of some dead end I reach.

The terms of a sequence $\lbrace a_1, a_2,\ldots, a_{n-1}, a_n\rbrace$ are described as $a_{n+1} = a_n+r$ such that $a_1=a$ and $a,r\in\Bbb R^+$.

I want to show by $PMI$ that the sum $S_n$ of the first $n$ terms of the sequence is given by $$S_n = an + \frac {n(n-1)}2 r$$

Base Case $P(1)$

Let $n=1$, then $$S_1 = a_1 = a(1)+\frac 02 r = a$$ is true and I often do $n=2$ for good mesure, so $$S_2 = a(2)+ \frac 22r = a_1 + a_2 = a+(a+r) = 2a+r$$ is also true so it the inductive step can be taken.

Induction Hypothesis $P(k)$

For $n=k$ assume that $S_k = ak + \frac {k(k-1)}2 r$ is true

Inductive Step $P(k)\Rightarrow P(k+1)$

I think my goal is to show that $S_k+(a+r)=S_{k+1}$ so I write $$S_k+(a+r)=S_{k+1}$$ $$ak+\frac{k(k-1)}2 r + (a+r) = a(k+1)+\frac {(k+1)k}2 r$$ $$a(k+1) + \left(\frac{k(k-1)}2 +1\right)r = a(k+1) + \left(\frac{k(k+1)}2\right)r$$ and this is where it dies on me since $$\left(\frac{k(k-1)}2 +1\right)\ne \left(\frac{k(k+1)}2\right)$$ I wonder if the problem comes from either my understanding of the $PMI$ lacking, my interpretation of the given sequence or if it is just me doing the algebra too fast and overlooking some detail even while going over the problem again?

As always, I really appreciate that you take some of your time to answer or comment, thank you very much, it helps a lot!

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    $\begingroup$ There is a mistake in the equation $ak + \frac{k(k-1)}{2}r + (a+r) = a(k+1) + \frac{(k+1)k}{2}r$. These aren't equal. The LHS equals $a(k+1) + \left(\frac{k(k-1)}{2} + 1 \right)r = a(k+1) + \frac{k(k-1) + 2}{2}r$. The mistake is that $k(k-1)+2$ is not equal to $k(k+1)$ $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 1, 2017 at 22:33

2 Answers 2

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To prove everything in one shot, try arguing as follows:

$S_{n+1} = \sum_{i=1}^{n+1}a_i = (a_{n+1} + \cdots + a_2) + a_1 = ((a_n+r) + \cdots + (a_1+r))+ a = (a_n+\cdots +a_1) + nr + a = S_n + nr + a$.

Now you can apply the inductive hypothesis $S_n = an + \frac{n(n-1)}{2}r$, after which you arrive at the desired expression for $S_{n+1}$ with little extra effort.

The reason you ran into an algebraic problem is you attempted to show $S_k + (a+r) = S_{k+1}$ when instead what you needed was that $S_k + (a+kr) = S_{k+1}$.

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Even though this problem is solved much quicker by following joeb's argument (see answers), I wanted to include to this post the correct solution I found by following my initial idea, while leaving the original post as it is for others that might find this useful in the future.

So here it goes,

Proposition $(\forall n \in \Bbb Z^+)P(n)$

The sum $S_n$ of the first $n$ terms of the sequence ${a_n}$ is given by $$S_n = an + \frac {n(n-1)}2 r$$

Base Case $P(1)$

Let $n=1$, then we see $$S_1 = a_1 = a(1)+\frac 02 r = a$$ is true hence, the inductive step can be taken.

Induction Hypothesis $P(k)$

For $n=k$, we assume $$S_k=ka+\frac{k(k-1)}2r$$ is true.

Inductive step $P(k)\rightarrow P(k+1)$

If we first take a look at $S_{k+1}$ and compare it to $S_k$

$$ \begin{align} S_k & = ka+\frac{k(k-1)}2r = ak + \frac{k^2r}2-\frac{kr}2 \\ S_{k+1} & =(k+1)a+\frac{k(k+1)}2r = ak+a + \frac{k^2r}2+\frac{kr}2 \\ \end{align}$$

we can observe that both differ by $(a+kr)$ hence, showing $S_{k+1}=S_k +(a+kr)$ is the goal.

$$\begin{align} S_{k+1} & = S_k +(a+kr) \\ (k+1)a+\frac{k(k+1)}2r & = ka+\frac{k(k-1)}2r + (a+kr) \\ & = ak+a + \frac{k^2r}2-\frac{kr}2 +kr \\ & = (k+1)a+\frac{k(k+1)}2r \\ \end{align}$$ $$\tag*{$\blacksquare$}$$

Conclusion

$$P(1)\rightarrow P(k) \rightarrow P(k+1) \rightarrow \left(\forall n \in \Bbb Z^+\right)P(n)$$

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