<s>[INST] Prove that for every positive integer $n$, $1/3 + 1/9 + \cdots + 1/{3^n} < 1/2$ Base case is $n=1$: $\frac {1}{3} < \frac{1}{2}$. So the base case holds.
Inductive hypothesis for $n = k$: $\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{9} + \cdots + \frac {1}{3^k} < \frac{1}{2}$
Inductive Step for $n = k + 1$:
$$ \left( \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{9} + \cdots + \frac {1}{3^k} \right) + \frac {1}{3^{k+1}}< \frac{1}{2}.$$
Multiplying the $n = k + 1$ step by $3$:
$$ \left( 1 + \frac{1}{3} + \cdots + \frac {1}{3^{k-1}} \right) + \frac {1}{3^{k}}< \frac{3}{2}$$
$$\implies \frac{1}{3} + \cdots + \frac {1}{3^{k-1}} + \frac {1}{3^{k}} < \frac{3}{2} - 1 = \frac {1}{2}.$$
We know this to be true from our inductive hypoethsis. Hence, $\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{9} + \cdots + \frac {1}{3^n} < \frac{1}{2}.$
Is this proof correct?
 [/INST] Consider a square of area $1$ and divide it into 3 congruent rectangles.
The area of each rectangle is $\frac{1}{3}$.
Select one of the three rectangles.
Divide one of the remaining two rectangles into three congruent rectangles, select only, as done before. Continue like this.
Irrespective of the number of iterations, the sum never reaches half of the original square.  
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