Proof by Induction - "What's the point if we already know the answer?"

I'll try to use carefully chosen examples to explain the advantages/disadvantages of induction as a method of proof. My answer will go roughly as follows:
Advantages: Sometimes the only obvious method of proof; Sometimes direct proof is also available, but its trickier; To answer the question, until it's proved we don't "know" the answer, we only thing think we know.
Disadvantages: Need to have a guess for what the answer is; Induction is kind of uninformative - it doesn't give us much mathematical intuition about the result.

Answered by Ruben H. Maths tutor

3471 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How would you expand (x+5y)^5?


Show that r^2(r + 1)^2 - r^2(r - 1)^2 ≡ 4r^3.


Express 3cos(x)+4sin(x) in the form Rsin(x+y) where you should explicitly determine R and y.


How to express (4x)/(x^2-9)-2/(x+3)as a single fraction in its simplest form.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences