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.

RH
Answered by Ruben H. Maths tutor

4480 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Use implicit differentiation to find the derivative of 2yx^2, with respect to x.


Integrate x*cos(x)


Integrate the function f(x)=3^x+2 with respect to x


How do I maximise/minimise a given function f(x)?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning