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Revision as of 14:30, 15 September 2008

Cauchy Induction is a beautiful method of Proof by Induction discovered by Augustin Louis Cauchy.

Definition

For a given statement $s$ over the positive integers greater than or equal to 2, the technique of Cauchy Induction is to prove that $s(2)$ is true, and that $s(n)$ implies $s(2n)$. This implies that $S(2^m)$ is true for all positive $m$. Then prove that $s(n)$ implies $s(n-1)$. Then $s(n)$ is true for all $n\geq 2$.

See also