Algebra word problem

[Joystar77]

Let x > -1 be a real number. Prove by induction that (1 + x)n > or equal to 1 + nx, for all natural numbers n. Where in the proof did you make use of the fact that x > -1?

 

[JeffM]

Let x > -1 be a real number. Prove by induction that (1 + x)n > or equal to 1 + nx, for all natural numbers n. Where in the proof did you make use of the fact that x > -1?

It is impossible to tell if you do not show your proof. Or are you saying that you could not complete the proof? Please show us how far you got so we can see where you are stuck. By the way, please read Read Before Posting. It will help you get quicker and more useful answers.

 

[Joystar77]

Dear JeffM,

I am not sure exactly how to do this word problem. I did read the math problem and this is exactly what it says as for what I typed out below. I will maybe find an example on how to do a proof, but I am not quite sure on how to do the problem and where to start at. I have read the rules about posting and will try to show exactly what I have come up with. Maybe this will help me if I know what these mathematical terms mean such as: real number, induction, natural numbers, and proof. I am disabled and have hard time with comprehension and understanding.

It is impossible to tell if you do not show your proof. Or are you saying that you could not complete the proof? Please show us how far you got so we can see where you are stuck. By the way, please read Read Before Posting. It will help you get quicker and more useful answers.

 

[mmm4444bot]

Maybe this will help me if I know what these mathematical terms mean such as: real number, induction, natural numbers, and proof.

It looks to me like you may be at the wrong site for help. Are you an adult student who is "starting over" in their study of mathematics?

These boards are not an on-line classroom; we do not teach course material. Volunteers are here primarily to help students who have already received instruction and examples in class; in other words, students who ought to already have some idea of what they're supposed to do, but they are stuck at a particular point in an exercise.

You have posted a handful of exercises from various topics that span about two years of math instruction. This leads me to think that perhaps you are trying to prepare for a placement test or you are starting over in your math studies.

There are many other free sites that do provide classroom instruction, starting with basic arithmetic and working their way through algebra. Some of these sites provide printed lessons; others use videos.

If you were to explain exactly what you're trying to accomplish, we could point you in the right direction. Cheers :cool:

 

[JeffM]

Dear JeffM,

I am not sure exactly how to do this word problem. I did read the math problem and this is exactly what it says as for what I typed out below. I will maybe find an example on how to do a proof, but I am not quite sure on how to do the problem and where to start at. I have read the rules about posting and will try to show exactly what I have come up with. Maybe this will help me if I know what these mathematical terms mean such as: real number, induction, natural numbers, and proof. I am disabled and have hard time with comprehension and understanding.

First, I agree with everything mmm says. Furthermore, the statement of the problem is clear enough. That was not the intent of my questions. Let's try a different way. Do you know what it means to prove a mathematical statement? Do you know how to prove a statement by mathematical induction? If the answer to both those questions is yes, then we probably can help you. If the answer to either is no, then I think you need face-to-face instruction.

Assuming you know how to do a proof by mathematical induction, what is the first step? In this case, it is trivial to do the first step. Please give it a try and show your work. That way if you get stuck, we can see why and help you understand how to get unstuck.