Prove that $\frac{1}{1^2} + \frac{1}{2^2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{n^2} > \frac{3n}{2n+1}$ for all $n \geq 2$ by induction

inductioninequalitysummation

Prove that $\frac{1}{1^2} + \frac{1}{2^2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{n^2} > \frac{3n}{2n+1}$ for all $n \geq 2$ by induction

I tried to add $\frac{1}{(k+1)^2}$ to both sides of this inequality assuming it's true for $n = k$, but eventually it resulted in a complex expression in the second side:

$$
\frac{3k}{2k+1} + \frac{1}{(k+1)^2} = \frac{3k^3+6k^2+5k+1}{(k+1)^2 (2k+1)}
$$

that I'm not sure how to finish the proof using it.

Am I going the right way? If so, how can I finish this proof?
and is there an easier way to prove this by induction without facing such confusing expressions?

Thanks.

Best Answer

When $n=2$, it directly works.

Assume it works for $n=k\ge 2$, and try to show that for $n=k+1$.

$1+...+\frac{1}{k^2}>\frac{3k}{2k+1}$ is given, so it suffices to show $\frac{1}{(k+1)^2}\ge\frac{3(k+1)}{2(k+1)+1}-\frac{3k}{2k+1}=\frac{3}{4(k+1)^2-1}\Leftrightarrow (k+1)^2\ge 1$, which is obvious.

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