1
Chapter 4
Mathematical Induction
• Used to verify a property of a sequence
• 2,4,6,8,… for i >= 1 ai= 2i
– infinite sequence with infinite distinct values
• for i >= 1 bi= (-1)i
– infinite sequence with finite distinct values
• for 1<=i<=6 ci= i+5
– finite sequence (with finite distinct values)
Finding the Explicit Formula
• Figure the formula of this sequence
• Different sequences with same initial values
,...
25
1
,
16
1
,
9
1
,
4
1
,
1
−−
2)1(
12
0
3++−=
+=
>=
kkb
ka
k
k
k
