/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 27 Show that if the statement \(P(n... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Show that if the statement \(P(n)\) is true for infinitely many positive integers \(n\) and \(P(n+1) \rightarrow P(n)\) is true for all positive integers \(n,\) then \(P(n)\) is true for all positive integers \(n .\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
\(P(n)\) is true for all positive integers \(n\).

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the Given Conditions

The problem provides two conditions: (1) The statement \(P(n)\) is true for infinitely many positive integers \(n\). (2) The statement \(P(n+1) \rightarrow P(n)\) is true for all positive integers \(n\). The goal is to show that \(P(n)\) is true for all positive integers \(n\).
02

- Analyze the Implication

Given that \(P(n+1) \rightarrow P(n)\) is true for all positive integers \(n\), we can rewrite this as: if \(P(n+1)\) is true, then \(P(n)\) must also be true. This means if the statement is true for any integer, it is also true for the previous integer.
03

- Consider the Infinitely Many True Values

Since \(P(n)\) is true for infinitely many positive integers, we know there is at least one integer, let's say \(k\), for which \(P(k)\) is true. If we choose the largest such \(k\), \(P(k)\) will be true.
04

- Use the Implicative Chain

From the given condition and the largest integer \(k\) for which \(P(k)\) is true, we can repeatedly apply the implication \(P(n+1) \rightarrow P(n)\). Thus, \(P(k)\) being true implies \(P(k-1)\) must be true, then \(P(k-2)\) must be true and so on, down to any positive integer.
05

- Generalize the Result

Given that \(P(k)\) is true for an infinitely large \(k\), using our implicative chain argument, it follows that \(P(m)\) must be true for any positive integer \(m\) less than or equal to \(k\). Since \(k\) is infinitely large, it covers all positive integers.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

implication
An implication in logic connects two statements in such a way that if the first statement (the hypothesis) is true, then the second statement (the conclusion) must also be true. This is denoted by the symbol \rightarrow. In our exercise, we have the implication \(P(n+1) \rightarrow P(n)\) which means 'if \(P(n+1)\) is true, then \(P(n)\) must also be true.' This relationship helps us understand how the truth of the statement for one value can affect the truth for the previous value. Implications are foundational in mathematical proofs to build a chain of logical conclusions from one statement to another.
infinite set
An infinite set is a set that has an unending number of elements. In our scenario, we consider that the statement \(P(n)\) holds true for 'infinitely many' positive integers. This means there is no upper limit to the values of \(n\) for which \(P(n)\) is true. The concept of an infinite set is important because it allows us to use infinitely large integers to establish general truths about all positive integers. In infinite sets, patterns and behaviors observed in large members of the set often generalize to all members. Therefore, once we identify any infinitely large \(k\) where \(P(k)\) is true, we understand that the statement must also be true for all integers leading up to it.
proof by contradiction
Proof by contradiction is a technique where we assume the opposite of what we want to prove and then show this assumption leads to a contradiction. Let's apply this to our problem: Our goal is to show \(P(n)\) is true for all positive integers. Assume there exists some smallest positive integer \(j\) for which \(P(j)\) is false. Then, given our conditions, \(P(j+1)\) must also be false because if \(P(j+1)\) was true, then it would imply \(P(j)\) is true, contradicting our assumption that \(P(j)\) is false. Continuing this way, we find that \(P(n)\) would be false for any larger integer, contradicting our initial statement that \(P(n)\) is true for infinitely many positive integers. Therefore, our assumption must be wrong, and \(P(n)\) must be true for all positive integers.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Show that \(\left(w^{R}\right)^{i}=\left(w^{i}\right)^{R}\) whenever \(w\) is a string and \(i\) is a nonnegative integer; that is, show that the \(i\) th power of the reversal of a string is the reversal of the \(i\) th power of the string.

Describe a recursive algorithm for multiplying two non- negative integers \(x\) and \(y\) based on the fact that \(x y=2(x \text { . }\) \((y / 2) )\) when \(y\) is even and \(x y=2(x \cdot\lfloor y / 2\rfloor)+x\) when \(y\) is odd, together with the initial condition \(x y=0\) when \(y=0\)

Use strong induction to show that every positive integer can be written as a sum of distinct powers of two, that is, as a sum of a subset of the integers \(2^{0}=1,2^{1}=2,2^{2}=4\) and so on. [Hint: For the inductive step, separately con- sider the case where \(k+1\) is even and where it is odd. When it is even, note that \((k+1) / 2\) is an integer. \(]\)

A knight on a chessboard can move one space horizontally (in either direction) and two spaces vertically (in either direction) or two spaces horizontally (in either direction) and one space vertically (in either direction). Suppose that we have an infinite chessboard, made up of all squares \((m, n),\) where \(m\) and \(n\) are nonnegative integers that denote the row number and the column number of the square, respectively. Use mathematical induction to show that a knight starting at \((0,0)\) can visit every square using a finite sequence of moves. [Hint: Use induction on the variable \(s=m+n . ]\)

A guest at a party is a celebrity if this person is known by every other guest, but knows none of them. There is at most one celebrity at a party, for if there were two, they would know each other. A particular party may have no celebrity. Your assignment is to find the celebrity, if one exists, at a party, by asking only one type of question asking a guest whether they know a second guest. Everyone must answer your questions truthfully. That is, if Alice and Bob are two people at the party, you can ask Alice whether she knows Bob; she must answer correctly. Use mathematical induction to show that if there are \(n\) people at the party, then you can find the celebrity, if there is one, with 3\((n-1)\) questions. [Hint: First ask a question to eliminate one person as a celebrity. Then use the inductive hypothesis to identify a potential celebrity. Finally, ask two more questions to determine whether that person is actually a celebrity. \(]\)

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.