# An inequality for harmonic numbers — RMO Inequalities — Basics

The Harmonic Numbers $H_{j}$ for $j=1,2,3, \ldots$ are defined by

$H_{j}=1+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3} +\ldots + \frac{1}{j}$

For instance, $H_{4}=1+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{25}{12}$

Use mathematical induction to show that $H_{2^{n}} \geq 1 + \frac{n}{2}$ whenever n is a non-negative integer.

Solution:

To carry out the proof, let P(n) be the proposition that $H_{2^{n}}=1+\frac{n}{2}$

Basis step:

P(0) is true because $H_{2^{0}}=H_{1}=1 \geq 1 + \frac{0}{2}$

Inductive Step:

The inductive hypothesis is the statement that $P(k)$ is true, that is, $H_{2^{k}} \geq 1 + \frac{k}{2}$

where k is a non-negative integer. We must show that if $P(k)$ is true, then $P(k+1)$, which states that

$H_{2^{k+1}} \geq 1 + \frac{k+1}{2}$, is also true. So, assuming the inductive hypothesis, it follows that

$H_{2^{k+1}} = 1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \ldots + \frac{1}{2^{k}} + \frac {1}{2^{k}+1} + \ldots + \frac{1}{2^{k+1}}$…this step follows from the definition of harmonic number

$=H_{2^{k}} + \frac{1}{2^{k}+1} + \ldots + \frac{1}{2^{k+1}}$….this step again follows by the definition of $2^{k}$th harmonic number

$\geq (1+\frac{k}{2}) + \frac{1}{2^{k}+1} + \ldots + \frac{1}{2^{k+1}}$…this step follows by the inductive hypothesis

$\geq (1+ \frac{k}{2}) + 2^{k}. \frac{2}{2^{k+1}}$…because there are $2^{k}$ terms each greater than or equal to $\frac{1}{2^{k+1}}$

$\geq (1+\frac{k}{2})+ \frac{1}{2}$….canceling a common factor of $2^{k}$ in second term

$= 1 + \frac{k+1}{2}$

This establishes the inductive step of the proof.

We have completed the basis step and the inductive step. Thus, by mathematical induction $P(n)$ is true for all non-negative integers. That is, the inequality $H_{2^{n}} \geq 1 + \frac{n}{2}$ for the harmonic numbers is valid for all non-negative integers n. QED.

Remark:

The inequality established here shows that the harmonic series $1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \ldots + \frac{1}{n} + \ldots$ is a divergent series. This is an important example in the study of infinite series.

Note:

Google, or through some other literature, find out why harmonic numbers are termed so. You will understand something more beautiful, more deeper !!

Nalin Pithwa.

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