Induction – Series

Proof by mathematical induction for series is part of the Proof topic in NSW Year 12 Mathematics Extension 2 (NESA outcome ME2-12-01). This subtopic uses mathematical induction to prove a closed-form formula for the sum of a series, establishing a base case and then showing that the truth of one case forces the next.

Students and teachers will cover how to set out the base case, state the inductive hypothesis, prove the inductive step and write the concluding statement examiners expect — the standard method for proving summation identities in the HSC Extension 2 course.