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This is the first question in Thomas' Calculus Appendix on Proof by Induction Exercise (Exercise A.1).

As the title suggests, I'd like to prove by induction that $| x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n | \leq | x_1 | + | x_2| + \ldots + | x_n |$ is true for any n numbers.

You are told to assume that the triangle inequality $|a+b| \leq |a| + |b|$ is true.

I'm 17 and I've only done Proof By Induction in Further Pure 1 (A first year module in Further Pure Mathematics at College, in the UK), so sorry if this seems incredibly simple. So far I have this:

$ \text{Let n = 2 } \\ \implies LHS = | 1 + 2 | = |3| = 3 \\ \implies RHS = | 1 | + | 2| = 1 + 2 = 3 \\ \text{Therefore I have proved it for n = 2 } \\ \text{Assume that $n=k$ is true, Let $n = k+1$} $

And that's about it :).

I know how to say it in words; that the LHS is the absolute value of the sum of all n numbers, therefore when $x \in \mathbb{R^-}$ the actual value of the sum of all n numbers could be negative, where as the RHS is the sum absolute value of each $x$... but I don't know how to prove it...

Thanks.

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    I don't thikn you are proving the what is being asked. What you need to do is use that for $n=1$ $|x_1 + x_2| \le |x_1| + |x_2|$ by the triangle inequality, assume $|x_1 + \ldots + x_n| \le |x_1| + \ldots + |x_n|$ by induction hypotesis, and prove $|x_1 + \ldots + x_{n+1}| \le |x_1| + \ldots + |x_{n+1}|$2012-11-11

2 Answers 2

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In the induction step you have $|x_1+\ldots+x_n|\le |x_1|+\ldots+|x_n|$ and want ot show $|x_1+\ldots+x_n+x_{n+1}|\le |x_1|+\ldots+|x_n|+|x_{n+1}|$. Simply plug $a=x_1+\ldots+x_n$, $b=x_{n+1}$ into the triangle inequality to obtain $\begin{matrix}|x_1+\ldots+x_n+x_{n+1}|&=&|a+b|\le|a|+|b|\\&=& |x_1+\ldots+x_n|+|x_{n+1}|\\&\le& |x_1|+\ldots+|x_n|+|x_{n+1}|.\end{matrix}$

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    *thud* OF COURSE. Thanks!2012-11-11
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You seem to be confused at what $n$ is. It is supposed to denote the number of things being summed. These numbers are not necessarily the numbers $1, 2, \dots, n$, otherwise the result is trivial.

Hint. $x_1+\dots + x_n=(x_1+\dots + x_{n-1})+x_n$.

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    Sorry, Sunday mode... Thanks for the hint, that combined with Hagen von Eitzen's it all makes sense now...2012-11-11