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EXERCISE 4.1 · Q3

Q.Prove by method of induction, for all n∈Nn \in N: 12+22+32+…+n2=n(n+1)(2n+1)61^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 + \ldots + n^2 = \dfrac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}.

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Let P(n):12+22+⋯+n2=n(n+1)(2n+1)6P(n):1^2+2^2+\cdots+n^2=\dfrac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}. Base: n=1n=1: L.H.S.=1=1, R.H.S.=1⋅2⋅36=1=\dfrac{1\cdot2\cdot3}{6}=1; holds. Hypothesis: assume 12+⋯+k2=k(k+1)(2k+1)61^2+\cdots+k^2=\dfrac{k(k+1)(2k+1)}{6}. Step: add (k+1)2(k+1)^2: k(k+1)(2k+1)6+(k+1)2=(k+1)[k(2k+1)6+(k+1)]=(k+1)⋅2k2+k+6k+66=(k+1)⋅(k+2)(2k+3)6=(k+1)(k+2)(2k+3)6\dfrac{k(k+1)(2k+1)}{6}+(k+1)^2=(k+1)\left[\dfrac{k(2k+1)}{6}+(k+1)\right]=(k+1)\cdot\dfrac{2k^2+k+6k+6}{6}=(k+1)\cdot\dfrac{(k+2)(2k+3)}{6}=\dfrac{(k+1)(k+2)(2k+3)}{6}, matching P(k+1)P(k+1). Conclusion: true for all n∈Nn\in N.

✓Final answer

12+22+⋯+n2=n(n+1)(2n+1)61^2+2^2+\cdots+n^2=\dfrac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}, proved for all n∈Nn\in N.

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