TITLE: Proof verification: Prove that a tree with n vertices has n-1 edges
QUESTION [7 upvotes]: This question is not a duplicate of the other questions of this time. I want to ask is how strong is the following proof that I am going to give from an examination point of view?

Proof:
Consider a tree $T$ with $n$ vertices. Let us reconstruct the tree from the root vertex. 
When the first root vertex has been added, the number of edges is zero. After the root vertex, every vertex that is added to the construction of $T$ contributes one edge to $T$.
Adding the remaining $n-1$ vertices to the construction of $T$, after the root vertex, will add $n-1$ edges. 
Therefore, after the reconstruction of $T$ is complete, $T$ will have $n$ vertices and $n-1$ edges.
Hence Proved.

Is this a sound proof at all?

REPLY [10 votes]: Consider the tree with n vertices.
To Prove: The number of edges will be n-1.
Assume P(n): Number of edges  = n-1 for the tree with n vertices.
n will be natural number.
P(1): For one node, there will be zero edges, since there is no other node to connect with.
P(2): For two nodes, Number of edges = n-1 = 2-1 = 1, since one edge is sufficient to connect two nodes in a tree.
...
Assume P(n) is true, i.e. for n number of vertices in a tree, number of edges = n-1.
Now, For P(n+1),
the number of edges will be (n-1) + number of edges required to add (n+1)th node.
Every vertex that is added to the tree contributes one edge to the tree.
Thus, the number of edges required to add (n+1)th node = 1.
Thus the total number of edges will be (n - 1) + 1 = n -1+1 = n = (n +1) - 1.
Thus, P(n+1) is true.
So, Using Principle of Mathematical Induction, it is proved that for given n vertices, number of edges  = n - 1.