Strong induction does not prove more than ordinary mathematical induction. Put . Ordinary mathematical induction on retains the earlier cases and obtains the next one, establishing the same conclusion. Conversely, an ordinary inductive step can ignore the extra cases allowed in a strong induction hypothesis.[ref]
The well-ordering principle gives another view. A least counterexample would have all smaller cases true, so the strong induction step would establish that allegedly false case. The starting case excludes the beginning.

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