53792712
A student investigates the claim \(1+3+5+\cdots+(2n-1)=n^2\) for \(n\ge1\). She obtains:
<table><tr><th>\(n\)</th><th>left side</th><th>right side</th></tr><tr><td>\(1\)</td><td>\(1\)</td><td>\(1\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(2\)</td><td>\(4\)</td><td>\(4\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(3\)</td><td>\(9\)</td><td>\(9\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(4\)</td><td>\(16\)</td><td>\(16\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(5\)</td><td>\(25\)</td><td>\(25\)</td></tr></table>
Explain why the table is not yet a proof for every \(n\ge1\). Identify which induction component the table already verifies, and state the general inductive step that is still needed.
Hints
- Separate what the row for the first allowed value establishes from what the remaining example rows establish.
- Ask what must connect an arbitrary case to the next case in an induction proof.
Solution
1. The table checks only five values, so by itself it cannot prove a statement about every positive integer.
2. The row for \(n=1\) verifies the required base case.
3. What remains is a general inductive step: assume for an arbitrary \(k\ge1\) that \(1+3+\cdots+(2k-1)=k^2\), and then prove from that assumption that \(1+3+\cdots+(2k+1)=(k+1)^2\).
Answer
The table provides only finitely many examples. It already verifies the base case \(n=1\); a proof by induction still needs a general step showing that truth for an arbitrary \(k\ge1\) implies truth for \(k+1\).
