* I think the question is wrong. The statement will be such as P(n):1+21+22+.......+2n=2n+1−1
Let P(n) be a statement such that P(n):1+21+22+.......+2n=2n+1−1
Then P(n) is true for n=0 as P(0):1=20+1−1
Now we show that the statement is true for smallest natural number n=0 .
Next we have to show for any k≥0 , if P(k) holds, then P(k+1) also holds.
Assume that for n=k , P(k) is true. i.e P(k):1+21+22+.......+2k=2k+1−1 .......(1)
Now we have to prove that P(k+1) is true.
Then 1+21+22+.......+2k+2k+1=(2k+1−1)+2k+1 [using (1)]
=2.2k+1−1
=2(k+1)+1−1
Therefore the statement P(k+1) holds true.
Hence by the principle of mathematical induction the given statement P(n) is true for all n∈N .
Comments
The condition P(0) was checked first because the term 1 in the left-hand side is equal to 2^0 and it corresponds to n=0. It is possible to start with P(0) or P(1), the equality will be true in both cases of P(0) and P(1).
Why are you taking P(0). I read always P(1) Condition..