For all $n \ge 1$,prove that: $\frac{1}{1 \times 2} + \frac{1}{2 \times 3} + \frac{1}{3 \times 4} + \ldots + \frac{1}{n(n+1)} = \frac{n}{n+1}$

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
Let $P(n)$ be the statement: $\frac{1}{1 \times 2} + \frac{1}{2 \times 3} + \frac{1}{3 \times 4} + \ldots + \frac{1}{n(n+1)} = \frac{n}{n+1}$.
Step $1$: For $n = 1$,the $LHS$ is $\frac{1}{1 \times 2} = \frac{1}{2}$ and the $RHS$ is $\frac{1}{1+1} = \frac{1}{2}$. Since $LHS$ = $RHS$,$P(1)$ is true.
Step $2$: Assume $P(k)$ is true for some natural number $k$,i.e.,$\frac{1}{1 \times 2} + \frac{1}{2 \times 3} + \ldots + \frac{1}{k(k+1)} = \frac{k}{k+1}$ $(1)$.
Step $3$: We need to prove $P(k+1)$ is true,i.e.,$\frac{1}{1 \times 2} + \ldots + \frac{1}{k(k+1)} + \frac{1}{(k+1)(k+2)} = \frac{k+1}{k+2}$.
Starting from the $LHS$ of $P(k+1)$:
$= \left[ \frac{1}{1 \times 2} + \ldots + \frac{1}{k(k+1)} \right] + \frac{1}{(k+1)(k+2)}$
$= \frac{k}{k+1} + \frac{1}{(k+1)(k+2)}$ (Using $(1)$)
$= \frac{k(k+2) + 1}{(k+1)(k+2)} = \frac{k^2 + 2k + 1}{(k+1)(k+2)} = \frac{(k+1)^2}{(k+1)(k+2)} = \frac{k+1}{k+2}$.
Since $P(k+1)$ is true whenever $P(k)$ is true,by the principle of mathematical induction,$P(n)$ is true for all $n \ge 1$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

For each $n \in N$,which of the following statements is correct?

Using mathematical induction,the numbers $a_n$ are defined by:
$a_0 = 1, a_{n+1} = 3n^2 + n + a_n, (n \geq 0)$.
Then,$a_n$ is equal to:

Prove the statement by the Principle of Mathematical Induction: $\sqrt{n} < \frac{1}{\sqrt{1}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} + \ldots + \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ for all natural numbers $n \geq 2$.

Difficult
View Solution

Let $S(k) = 1 + 3 + 5 + \dots + (2k - 1) = 3 + k^2$. Then which of the following is true?

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 $x \neq y$.

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