Question: What is wrong with this proof by strong induction? Theorem For every nonnegative integer n, 5n = 0. Basis Step: 5 0 = 0.

What is wrong with this "proof" by strong induction?
"Theorem" For every nonnegative integer n, 5n = 0.
Basis Step: 5 · 0 = 0.
Inductive Step: Suppose that 5j = 0 for all nonnegative integers j with 0 ≤ j ≤ k. Write k + 1 = i + j , where i and j are natural numbers less than k + 1. By the inductive hypothesis, 5(k + 1) = 5(i + j) = 5i + 5j = 0 + 0 = 0.

Step by Step Solution

3.41 Rating (160 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

The error is in going from the basis step n 0 to the ... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Document Format (1 attachment)

Word file Icon

923-M-C-M-S (1815).docx

120 KBs Word File

Students Have Also Explored These Related Statistics Questions!