4: Principle of Induction
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- 4.1: Well-orderings
- In this chapter we discuss the principle of mathematical induction. Be aware that the word induction has a different meaning in mathematics than in the rest of science. The principle of mathematical induction depends on the order structure of the natural numbers, and gives us a powerful technique for proving universal mathematical claims.
Thumbnail: Mathematical induction can be informally illustrated by reference to the sequential effect of falling dominoes. Image used wtih permission (CC BY-SA 3.0; Pokipsy76 ).