Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Mathematical Induction
Mathematical induction is a proof technique used to establish the truth of an infinite sequence of statements. It involves two main steps: the base case, where the statement is verified for the initial value (usually n=1), and the inductive step, where one assumes the statement holds for n=k and then proves it for n=k+1. This method is particularly useful for proving formulas involving integers.
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Arithmetic Series
An arithmetic series is the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence, where each term after the first is obtained by adding a constant difference. In this case, the series 3 + 7 + 11 + ... + (4n - 1) represents an arithmetic series with a first term of 3 and a common difference of 4. Understanding the properties of arithmetic series is essential for deriving the formula being proved.
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Algebraic Manipulation
Algebraic manipulation involves rearranging and simplifying expressions using algebraic rules. In the context of this problem, it is necessary to manipulate the right-hand side of the equation, n(2n + 1), to show that it equals the sum of the series on the left-hand side. Mastery of algebraic techniques is crucial for successfully completing the proof by induction.
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