Discrete Mathematics

Chapter 4: Induction and Recursions

Department of Mathematics
The FPT university

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Chapter 4: Introduction

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Chapter 4: Introduction

Topics covered:

TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 2 / 18

Chapter 4: Introduction

Topics covered:

4.1 Mathematical Induction

TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 2 / 18

Chapter 4: Introduction

Topics covered:

4.1 Mathematical Induction

4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

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Chapter 4: Introduction

Topics covered:

4.1 Mathematical Induction

4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering
4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

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Chapter 4: Introduction

Topics covered:

4.1 Mathematical Induction

4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering
4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction
4.4 Recursive Algorithms

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Chapter 4: Introduction

Topics covered:

4.1 Mathematical Induction

4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering
4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction
4.4 Recursive Algorithms
4.5 Program Correctness

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Induction:

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Induction:

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Induction:

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Inductive hypothesis) Assume that P(k) is true for some positive
integer k.

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Induction:

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Inductive hypothesis) Assume that P(k) is true for some positive
integer k.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is true.

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Induction:

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Inductive hypothesis) Assume that P(k) is true for some positive
integer k.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is true.
4: Conclusion: P(n) is true for all positive integers n.

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4.1 Mathematical Induction

Problem. Prove that the statement P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Induction:

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Inductive hypothesis) Assume that P(k) is true for some positive
integer k.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is true.
4: Conclusion: P(n) is true for all positive integers n.

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TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 4 / 18
Example 1. Prove that for all positive integers n we have
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
12 + 2 2 + 3 2 + · · · + n 2 =
6

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Example 1. Prove that for all positive integers n we have
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
12 + 2 2 + 3 2 + · · · + n 2 =
6
Example 2. Prove that n3 − n is divisible by 6 for all integers n ≥ 1.

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Example 1. Prove that for all positive integers n we have
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
12 + 2 2 + 3 2 + · · · + n 2 =
6
Example 2. Prove that n3 − n is divisible by 6 for all integers n ≥ 1.

Example 3. Prove that 2n > n2 for all integers n > 4.

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Example 1. Prove that for all positive integers n we have
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
12 + 2 2 + 3 2 + · · · + n 2 =
6
Example 2. Prove that n3 − n is divisible by 6 for all integers n ≥ 1.

Example 3. Prove that 2n > n2 for all integers n > 4.

Example 4. Let n be a positive integer. Prove that every checkerboard of

size 2n × 2n with one square removed can be titled by triominoes.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Induction hypothesis) Assume that P(1), P(2), . . . , P(k) are all true
for some k ≥ 1.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Induction hypothesis) Assume that P(1), P(2), . . . , P(k) are all true
for some k ≥ 1.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is also true.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Induction hypothesis) Assume that P(1), P(2), . . . , P(k) are all true
for some k ≥ 1.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is also true.
4: Conclusion: P(n) is true for all positive integers n.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Induction hypothesis) Assume that P(1), P(2), . . . , P(k) are all true
for some k ≥ 1.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is also true.
4: Conclusion: P(n) is true for all positive integers n.

Example 1. Prove that every integer greater than 1 can be written as a

product of primes.

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4.2 Strong Induction and Well-Ordering

Problem. Prove that P(n) is true for all n = 1, 2, . . .

Proof by Strong Induction.

1: Prove that P(1) is true.

2: (Induction hypothesis) Assume that P(1), P(2), . . . , P(k) are all true
for some k ≥ 1.
3: Prove that P(k + 1) is also true.
4: Conclusion: P(n) is true for all positive integers n.

Example 1. Prove that every integer greater than 1 can be written as a

product of primes.

Example 2. Prove that every postage of 12 cents or more can be formed

using only 4-cent and 5-cent stamps.

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Well-Ordering

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Well-Ordering

The validity of the Principle of Mathematical Induction follows from the

Well-Ordering property of the set of non-negative integers.

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Well-Ordering

The validity of the Principle of Mathematical Induction follows from the

Well-Ordering property of the set of non-negative integers.
Well-Ordering

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Well-Ordering

The validity of the Principle of Mathematical Induction follows from the

Well-Ordering property of the set of non-negative integers.
Well-Ordering
Any nonempty set of non-negative integers has a least element.

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

The Fibonacci {Fn }, n = 1, 2, . . . is defined as follows:

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

The Fibonacci {Fn }, n = 1, 2, . . . is defined as follows:

F0 = 0, F1 = 1,

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

The Fibonacci {Fn }, n = 1, 2, . . . is defined as follows:

F0 = 0, F1 = 1, and

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

The Fibonacci {Fn }, n = 1, 2, . . . is defined as follows:

F0 = 0, F1 = 1, and
Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2 for n = 2, 3, . . ..

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

The Fibonacci {Fn }, n = 1, 2, . . . is defined as follows:

F0 = 0, F1 = 1, and
Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2 for n = 2, 3, . . ..

This definition is called recursive definition.

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4.3 Recursive Definitions and Structural Induction

The Fibonacci {Fn }, n = 1, 2, . . . is defined as follows:

F0 = 0, F1 = 1, and
Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2 for n = 2, 3, . . ..

This definition is called recursive definition.

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TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 8 / 18
Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

Example 2. Give a recursive definition for the sequence {xn }, n = 1, 2 . . .

whose nth term is:

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

Example 2. Give a recursive definition for the sequence {xn }, n = 1, 2 . . .

whose nth term is:

(a) xn = 7 ∗ 5n+1

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

Example 2. Give a recursive definition for the sequence {xn }, n = 1, 2 . . .

whose nth term is:

(a) xn = 7 ∗ 5n+1
(b) xn = n!

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

Example 2. Give a recursive definition for the sequence {xn }, n = 1, 2 . . .

whose nth term is:

(a) xn = 7 ∗ 5n+1
(b) xn = n!
(c) xn = (−1)n

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

Example 2. Give a recursive definition for the sequence {xn }, n = 1, 2 . . .

whose nth term is:

(a) xn = 7 ∗ 5n+1
(b) xn = n!
(c) xn = (−1)n
(d) xn = 2n − 6

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Example 1. Find the nth term of the sequence {xn } defined by recursive
definition:

(a) x1 = 5, xn = 3xn−1 for n = 2, 3, . . .

(b) x0 = 2, xn = xn−1 + 1 for n = 1, 2, . . .

Example 2. Give a recursive definition for the sequence {xn }, n = 1, 2 . . .

whose nth term is:

(a) xn = 7 ∗ 5n+1
(b) xn = n!
(c) xn = (−1)n
(d) xn = 2n − 6

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

Basic step: 3 ∈ S

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

Basic step: 3 ∈ S
Recursive step: If x, y ∈ S then x + y ∈ S

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

Basic step: 3 ∈ S
Recursive step: If x, y ∈ S then x + y ∈ S

Example 2.

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

Basic step: 3 ∈ S
Recursive step: If x, y ∈ S then x + y ∈ S

Example 2.

(a) Give a recursive definition for the set of positive integers that are not
divisible by 3

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

Basic step: 3 ∈ S
Recursive step: If x, y ∈ S then x + y ∈ S

Example 2.

(a) Give a recursive definition for the set of positive integers that are not
divisible by 3
(b) Give a recursive definition for the set of integers that are not divisible
by 3

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Recursively Defined Sets and Structures

Example 1. Determine the set S defined by:

Basic step: 3 ∈ S
Recursive step: If x, y ∈ S then x + y ∈ S

Example 2.

(a) Give a recursive definition for the set of positive integers that are not
divisible by 3
(b) Give a recursive definition for the set of integers that are not divisible
by 3

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TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 10 / 18
Example 3. Recursive definition for the set of full binary trees.

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Example 3. Recursive definition for the set of full binary trees.

Basic step: A single vertex is a full binary tree.

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Example 3. Recursive definition for the set of full binary trees.

Basic step: A single vertex is a full binary tree.

Recursive step: If T1 and T2 are two full binary trees then there is a
full binary tree, denoted by T1 .T2 , consisting of a root r together
with edges connecting this root to the root of the left subtree T1 and
the root of the right subtree T2 .

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Example 3. Recursive definition for the set of full binary trees.

Basic step: A single vertex is a full binary tree.

Recursive step: If T1 and T2 are two full binary trees then there is a
full binary tree, denoted by T1 .T2 , consisting of a root r together
with edges connecting this root to the root of the left subtree T1 and
the root of the right subtree T2 .

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TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 11 / 18
Example 4. Give a recursive definition for:

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Example 4. Give a recursive definition for:

(a) Leaves of full binary trees.

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Example 4. Give a recursive definition for:

(a) Leaves of full binary trees.

(b) Height of full binary trees.

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Example 4. Give a recursive definition for:

(a) Leaves of full binary trees.

(b) Height of full binary trees.

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Structural Induction

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Structural Induction

Let S be a set defined recursively.

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Structural Induction

Let S be a set defined recursively. To prove that a property P is true for

all elements of S we can use structural induction.

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Structural Induction

Let S be a set defined recursively. To prove that a property P is true for

all elements of S we can use structural induction.

Basic step: Prove that P is true for elements of S defined in the basic
step.

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Structural Induction

Let S be a set defined recursively. To prove that a property P is true for

all elements of S we can use structural induction.

Basic step: Prove that P is true for elements of S defined in the basic
step.
Recursive step: Show that if the property P is true for the elements
used to construct new elements in the recursive step of the definition
of S, then the property P is also true for these new elements.

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TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 13 / 18
Example 1.

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Example 1. Let T be a full binary tree with the number of vertices n(T )
and the number of leaves l(T ). Prove that n(T ) = 2l(T ) − 1.

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Example 1. Let T be a full binary tree with the number of vertices n(T )
and the number of leaves l(T ). Prove that n(T ) = 2l(T ) − 1.

Example 2. Let T be a full binary tree with the number of vertices n(T )
and the height h(T ). Prove that n(T ) ≤ 2h(T )+1 − 1.

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Example 1. Let T be a full binary tree with the number of vertices n(T )
and the number of leaves l(T ). Prove that n(T ) = 2l(T ) − 1.

Example 2. Let T be a full binary tree with the number of vertices n(T )
and the height h(T ). Prove that n(T ) ≤ 2h(T )+1 − 1.

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Generalized Induction

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Generalized Induction

Example.

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Generalized Induction

Example.

Given the sequence {am,n } defined recursively as follows:

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Generalized Induction

Example.

Given the sequence {am,n } defined recursively as follows:

a0,0 = 0, and

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Generalized Induction

Example.

Given the sequence {am,n } defined recursively as follows:

a0,0 = 0,
 and
am−1,n + 1 if n = 0 và m > 0,
am,n =
am,n−1 + n if n > 0

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Generalized Induction

Example.

Given the sequence {am,n } defined recursively as follows:

a0,0 = 0,
 and
am−1,n + 1 if n = 0 và m > 0,
am,n =
am,n−1 + n if n > 0

Prove that am,n = m + n(n + 1)/2 for all m, n ≥ 0.

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4.4 Recursive Algorithms

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4.4 Recursive Algorithms

An algorithm is called recursive if it solves a problem by reducing it to an

instance of the same problem with smaller input

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4.4 Recursive Algorithms

An algorithm is called recursive if it solves a problem by reducing it to an

instance of the same problem with smaller input

Example 1. A recursive algorithm that computes 5n for n ≥ 0.

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4.4 Recursive Algorithms

An algorithm is called recursive if it solves a problem by reducing it to an

instance of the same problem with smaller input

Example 1. A recursive algorithm that computes 5n for n ≥ 0.

Procedure power (n: non-negative)

if n = 0 then power (0) := 1
else power (n) := power (n − 1) ∗ 5

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TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 16 / 18
Example 2. Write a recursive algorithm to compute n!.

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Example 2. Write a recursive algorithm to compute n!.

Example 3. Write a recursive algorithm to compute the greatest common

divisor of two non-negative integers.

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Example 2. Write a recursive algorithm to compute n!.

Example 3. Write a recursive algorithm to compute the greatest common

divisor of two non-negative integers.

Example 4. Express the linear search algorithm by a recursive procedure .

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Example 2. Write a recursive algorithm to compute n!.

Example 3. Write a recursive algorithm to compute the greatest common

divisor of two non-negative integers.

Example 4. Express the linear search algorithm by a recursive procedure .

Example 5. Express the binary search algorithm by a recursive procedure.

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Example 2. Write a recursive algorithm to compute n!.

Example 3. Write a recursive algorithm to compute the greatest common

divisor of two non-negative integers.

Example 4. Express the linear search algorithm by a recursive procedure .

Example 5. Express the binary search algorithm by a recursive procedure.

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Recursion and Iteration

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Recursion and Iteration

Problem. Write a recursive algorithm and an iteration algorithm to

compute the nth Fibonacci number, and compare their complexity via the
number of additions used.

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Recursion and Iteration

Problem. Write a recursive algorithm and an iteration algorithm to

compute the nth Fibonacci number, and compare their complexity via the
number of additions used.

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Recursion and Iteration

Problem. Write a recursive algorithm and an iteration algorithm to

compute the nth Fibonacci number, and compare their complexity via the
number of additions used.
Procedure Iterative Fib (n)
if n = 0 then y := 0
else
x:=0
y:=1
for i := 1 to n − 1 do
z:=x+y
x:=y
y:=z
Print(y )

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Recursion and Iteration

Problem. Write a recursive algorithm and an iteration algorithm to

compute the nth Fibonacci number, and compare their complexity via the
number of additions used.
Procedure Iterative Fib (n) Procedure Fib (n)
if n = 0 then y := 0 if n = 0 then Fib(0) := 0
else else if n = 1 then Fib(1) := 1
x:=0 else
y:=1 Fib(n) := Fib(n − 1) + Fib(n − 2)
for i := 1 to n − 1 do
z:=x+y
x:=y
y:=z
Print(y )

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Merge Sort Algorithm

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Merge Sort Algorithm

Procedure mergesort (L = a1 , a2 , . . . , an )
if n > 1 then
m := bn/2c
L1 = a1 , a2 , . . . , am
L2 = am+1 , am+2 , . . . , an
L := merge(mergesort(L1 ), mergersort(L2 ))
Print (L)

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Merge Sort Algorithm

Procedure mergesort (L = a1 , a2 , . . . , an )
if n > 1 then
m := bn/2c
L1 = a1 , a2 , . . . , am
L2 = am+1 , am+2 , . . . , an
L := merge(mergesort(L1 ), mergersort(L2 ))
Print (L)

Theorem

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Merge Sort Algorithm

Procedure mergesort (L = a1 , a2 , . . . , an )
if n > 1 then
m := bn/2c
L1 = a1 , a2 , . . . , am
L2 = am+1 , am+2 , . . . , an
L := merge(mergesort(L1 ), mergersort(L2 ))
Print (L)

Theorem
The number of comparisons needed to merge sort a list of n elements is
O(n log n).

TrungDT (FUHN) MAD101 Chapter 4 18 / 18