Question #2f54d

1 Answer
Oct 22, 2014

Proof by Induction

Base Case (n=1)

#sum_{n=1}^1 4^i=4=4/3(4^1-1)#

Induction Hypothesis (n=k)

Assume: #sum_{i=1}^k4^i=4/3(4^k-1)#

Induction Step (n=k+1)

Show: #sum_{i=1}^{k+1}4^i=4/3(4^{k+1}-1)#

#sum_{i=1}^{k+1}4^i=sum_{i=1}^k4^i+4^{k+1}=4/3(4^k-1)+4/3(3cdot4^k)=4/3(4cdot4^k-1)=4/3(4^{k+1}-1)#

Hence, for all natural number #n#,

#sum_{i=1}^n4^i=4/3(4^n-1)#.


I hope that this was helpful.