Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2001/ia/paper-4/8e/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2001 ia Paper 4 8E Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Mathematical induction consists of an induction base case and an inductive step for every positive integer . To derive it from the well-ordering principle, suppose the set of counterexamples were nonempty and take its least element . The base case excludes . If , minimality gives , and the step then gives , a contradiction. Hence there are no counterexamples.
For the stated integer congruence, the base case is . If , multiplication and givecompleting the induction.
The purported shifted-sum proof has a correct conditional successor calculation, but the base case is missing and false: at it would assert . An inductive step without a true induction base case cannot establish any instance.
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