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December 24, 2025, 02:33:22 am
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Author Topic: Using Induction when not asked to  (Read 1191 times)  Share 

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frog1944

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Using Induction when not asked to
« on: October 20, 2017, 08:52:34 am »
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Hi,

If the question asked to prove some results for positive integers (an inequality, a sum, a derivative etc.), would you be allowed to use induction even if they didn't specify to use it?

Thanks
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RuiAce

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Re: Using Induction when not asked to
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2017, 09:16:40 am »
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You're not disobeying the question if they don't specify any method at all. The question most certainly should not NEED induction in that case, but they can't restrict you from using it.

As a counterexample however, if the question says "hence, deduce that ..." then you must use what makes sense, involving the previous parts.
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frog1944

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Re: Using Induction when not asked to
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2017, 12:51:18 pm »
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Ok, that makes sense. Thanks RuiAce
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