Write for the deterministic set of -step self-avoiding walks from . Each uses distinct edges, so independence gives
For , the function on is a concave function. The Jensen inequality gives the root-moment bound for open self-avoiding walks
Equivalently, the Lyapunov moment inequality compares exponents and , both strictly positive. Taking the limit superior and the connective constant limit proves
This includes and . No independence between the different self-avoiding walk indicators is asserted or needed.