<s>[INST] The function $f (n) = (1 + 1 / n) ^ {n+1}$ is decreasing I cannot prove that the function $$f (n) = \left(1 + \frac1n\right) ^ {n + 1},$$ defined for every positive integer $n$, is strictly decreasing in $n$. I already tried to prove by induction and also tried to prove by calculating the difference between $f (n + 1)$ and $f (n)$.
I need help.
 [/INST] Take the fraction
$$
\frac{f(n)}{f(n-1)}=\left(\frac{n+1}{n}\right)^{n+1}\bigg/\left(\frac{n}{n-1}\right)^n=\left(\frac{(n-1)(n+1)}{n^2}\right)^n\frac{n+1}{n}=\frac1{\left(1+\frac{1}{n^2-1}\right)^n}\frac{n+1}{n}.
$$
Using the induction, show that for $n\ge2$ and $x>-1$, $x\ne0$ (if $x=0$ then there would be a trivial equality) $(1+x)^n>1+nx$. For $n=2$ we have $(1+x)^2=1+2x+x^2>1+2x$. For $n+1$: $(1+x)^{n+1}=(1+x)^n(1+x)>(1+nx)(1+x)=1+(n+1)x+nx^2>1+(n+1)x$.
Using this inequality one can conclude that
$$
\left(1+\frac{1}{n^2-1}\right)^n>1+n\frac1{n^2-1}=\frac{n^2+n-1}{n^2-1},
$$
and
$$
\frac{f(n)}{f(n-1)}=\frac1{\left(1+\frac{1}{n^2-1}\right)^n}\frac{n+1}{n}<\frac{n^2-1}{n^2+n-1}\frac{n+1}{n}=\frac{n^3+n^2-n-1}{n^3+n^2-n}<1.
$$
Therefore, $f(n)$ is decreasing in $n$.
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