An Inequality for Harmonic Numbers.
The harmonic numbers Hj,j=1,2,3,..., are defined by Hj=1+12+13+...+1j
Use mathematical induction to show that H2n≥1+n2
whenever n is a nonnegative integer.
BASIS STEP: P(0) is true, because H20=H1=1≥1+02
INDUCTIVE STEP: The inductive hypothesis is the statement that P(k) is true, that is, H2k≥1+k2, where k is an arbitrary nonnegative integer. We must show that if P(k) is true, then P(k+1), which states that H2k+1≥1+k+12, is also true. So, assuming the inductive hypothesis, it follows that
H2k+1=1+12+13+...+12k+12k+1+...+12k+1
=H2k+12k+1+...+12k+1
≥(1+k2)+12k+1+...+12k+1...(?)
≥(1+k2)+2k⋅12k+1...(??)
≥(1+k2)+12
=1+k+12
I don't understand what is going on at lines (?) and (??), why did it change from =H2k to ≥(1+k2) can somebody explain it to me?
Answer
The first inequality is the inductive hypothesis.
As for the second, note that for all j∈{1,…2k}, 12k+j≥12k+1
So that
2k∑j=112k+j≥2k∑j=112k+1=2k12k+1
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