TITLE: How to prove this statement with "first" principle of Mathematical induction and not strong Mathematical induction?
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: Define a sequence $s_0,s_1,s_2,...$ as follows :
  $$s_0=0, s_1=4, s_k=6s_{k-1} - 5s_{k-2} \; \forall \; \text{integers} \; k\ge 2.$$ Prove by Principle of strong mathematical induction that $$s_n=5^n-1 \; \forall \; n\ge 0.$$

It's very easy to prove this by strong mathematical induction. However I am interested in proving this by "first" principle of mathematical induction only. Any ideas?

REPLY [4 votes]: It seems I have got my answer. I saw a proof that "first" principle of mathematical induction and the strong principle of mathematical induction are equivalent. So by that proof I have formulated a proof for this one too. Here it goes :
Let $P(n) : s_n=5^n-1$
Let $Q(n) : P(j) \; \text{is true} \; \forall \; 0\le j\le n.$ We will use $Q(n)$ for using "first" principle of mathematical induction.
Basis step : We show that $Q(1)$ is true i.e. $P(1)$ and $P(2)$ are true statements.
Here $s_0=5^0-1=0$ which agrees with the definition $s_0=0.$
and $s_1=5^1-1=4$ which also agrees with the definition $s_1=4$.
Inductive step : Suppose $Q(k)$ is true for any integer $k \ge 1.$ i.e. $P(j) \; \text{is true} \; \forall \; 0\le j \le k$ for any integer $k\ge 1$.
Consider $s_{k+1}=6s_k - 5s_{k-1}.$
Then $s_{k+1}=6(5^k-1)-5(5^{k-1} -1)=6.5^k-6-5^k+5=5^{k+1}-1.$ Which was to be proved.