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How to prove by induction?

For $n\ge 1$: $\sum_{j=n}^{2n-1} (1/j) = \sum_{k=1}^{2n-1} ((-1)^{k+1}/k)$

1) Base case

$\sum_{j=1}^{1} (1/j) = 1 = \sum_{k=1}^{1} ((-1)^{k+1}/k)$

2) Induction [Prove that $\sum_{j=n+1}^{2(n+1)-1} (1/j) = \sum_{k=1}^{2(n+1)-1} ((-1)^{k+1}/k)$]

I can not figure out how to get from $\sum_{j=n+1}^{2(n+1)-1} (1/j)$ to $\sum_{k=1}^{2(n+1)-1} ((-1)^{k+1}/k)$.

SJKK
  • 23

2 Answers2

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$$\sum_{k=1}^{2(n+1)-1} ((-1)^{k+1}/k)=\sum_{k=1}^{2n-1} ((-1)^{k+1}/k)-\frac{1}{2n}+\frac{1}{2n+1}=\sum_{j=n}^{2n-1} (1/j) -\frac{1}{2n}+\frac{1}{2n+1}=( \sum_{j=n+1}^{2(n+1)-1} (1/j)+\frac{1}{n}-\frac{1}{2n}-\frac{1}{2n+1})-\frac{1}{2n}+\frac{1}{2n+1}= \sum_{j=n+1}^{2(n+1)-1} (1/j)$$

nadia-liza
  • 1,873
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$$ \sum_{j=n+1}^{2(n+1)-1} (1/j)=\sum_{j=n+1}^{2n+1} (1/j)= \sum_{j=n+1}^{2n-1}(1/j)+1/(2n)+1/(2n+1)= $$ $$ =\sum_{j=n}^{2n-1}(1/j)+1/(2n)+1/(2n+1)-1/n=\cdots $$