In Exercises 25–34, use mathematical induction to prove that each statement is true for every positive integer n.
n Σ (i = 1) 5 · 6^i = 6(6^n - 1)
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<strong>Step 1:</strong> Understand the statement to be proved. We need to prove that \( \sum_{i=1}^{n} 5 \cdot 6^i = 6(6^n - 1) \) is true for every positive integer \( n \).
<strong>Step 2:</strong> Base Case: Verify the statement for \( n = 1 \). Substitute \( n = 1 \) into both sides of the equation and check if they are equal.
<strong>Step 3:</strong> Inductive Hypothesis: Assume the statement is true for some positive integer \( k \), i.e., \( \sum_{i=1}^{k} 5 \cdot 6^i = 6(6^k - 1) \).
<strong>Step 4:</strong> Inductive Step: Prove the statement for \( n = k + 1 \). Start with \( \sum_{i=1}^{k+1} 5 \cdot 6^i = \sum_{i=1}^{k} 5 \cdot 6^i + 5 \cdot 6^{k+1} \). Use the inductive hypothesis to replace \( \sum_{i=1}^{k} 5 \cdot 6^i \) with \( 6(6^k - 1) \).
<strong>Step 5:</strong> Simplify the expression from Step 4 to show that it equals \( 6(6^{k+1} - 1) \). This completes the inductive step, proving the statement for \( n = k + 1 \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Mathematical Induction
Mathematical induction is a proof technique used to establish the truth of an infinite sequence of statements, typically involving positive integers. It consists of two main steps: the base case, where the statement is verified for the initial value (usually n=1), and the inductive step, where one assumes the statement holds for n=k and then proves it for n=k+1. This method is essential for proving formulas or properties that are asserted to be true for all integers in a specified range.
Summation notation, represented by the sigma symbol (Σ), is a concise way to express the sum of a sequence of terms. In the context of the given question, it indicates the sum of the terms 5 · 6^i from i=1 to n. Understanding how to manipulate and evaluate summations is crucial for applying mathematical induction effectively, as it often involves simplifying or transforming the summation into a more manageable form.
A geometric series is a series of terms where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant called the common ratio. In the expression 6(6^n - 1), the series represents a geometric progression with a common ratio of 6. Recognizing the properties of geometric series, such as their sum formula, is vital for deriving and proving statements involving powers and sums in mathematical induction.