We observe that the terms of the sum are the terms of an
arithmetical progression. The ratio of the progression is r=2 and it's calculated using
the first and the second
term.
3-1=2
The number of
terms is n+1.
The sum of n+1 terms of an arithmetical
progression could be written:
Sn = (a1+a(n+1))*n/2, where
a1 is the first term of the progression and an is the last
term.
In our case, a1=1 and a(n+1)=(2n+1). By substituting
them into the formula of the sum, we'll obtain:
Sn =
(1+2n+1)*(n+1)/2
Sn =
(2n+2)(n+1)/2
After factorizing, we'll
get:
Sn = 2(n+1)(n+1)/2
Sn =
(n+1)^2
To demonstrate that the value of the sum is
(n+1)^2, we'll use the method of mathematical induction, which consists in 3
steps:
1) verify that the method works for the number
1;
2) assume that the method works for an arbitrary number,
k;
3) prove that if the method works for an arbitrary
number k, then it work for the number k+1, too.
After the 3
steps were completed, then the formula works for any
number.
We'll start the first
step:
1) 1=1^2 => 1=1
true.
2) 1+3+5+...+(2k+1)=(k+1)^2 ,
true.
3) If 1+3+5+...+(2k+1)=(k+1)^2,
then
1+3+5+...+(2k+1)+(2k+2+1)=(k+2)^2
Let's
see if it is true.
We notice that the sum from the left
contains the assumed true sum, 1+3+5+...+(2k+1)=(k+1)^2. So, we'll re-write the sum by
substituting 1+3+5+...+(2k+1) with (k+1)^2.
(k+1)^2 +
(2k+3) = (k+2)^2
We'll open the
brackets:
k^2 + 2k + 1 + 2k + 3 = k^2 + 4k + 4
true.
4) The 3 steps were completed, so the identity is
true for any value of n.
1+3+5+...+(2n+1) =
(n+1)^2
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