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Difficult induction question, or maybe I'm just missing something simple? (1 Viewer)

yanujw

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Required to prove: is divisible by 8
 

fnsndgfg

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I tried it and couldn't do it either, thought I was ok at induction but apparently not. My working is below if someone is willing to tell me where I went wrong. Also sorry but idk how to use latex

Show true when n=1
= 3^(2x2) - 1
= 3^4 - 1
=80
=8x10 therefore true for n=1


Assume n=k
3^(2k)^2 -1

= 3^(4k^2) -1 = 8P (Where P is an integer)

Show true for when n=k+1
3^[2(k+1)]^2 -1 = 8Q (Where Q is an integer)

LHS = 3^(2k+2)^2 -1

=3^(4k^2+8K+4) -1

=3^(4k^2) x 3^(8k) x 3^(4) -1

= 8P x 81 x 3^(8k) (using line from assume n=k)

??? Idk where to go from here
 

vishnay

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I tried it and couldn't do it either, thought I was ok at induction but apparently not. My working is below if someone is willing to tell me where I went wrong. Also sorry but idk how to use latex

Show true when n=1
= 3^(2x2) - 1
= 3^4 - 1
=80
=8x10 therefore true for n=1


Assume n=k
3^(2k)^2 -1

= 3^(4k^2) -1 = 8P (Where P is an integer)

Show true for when n=k+1
3^[2(k+1)]^2 -1 = 8Q (Where Q is an integer)

LHS = 3^(2k+2)^2 -1

=3^(4k^2+8K+4) -1

=3^(4k^2) x 3^(8k) x 3^(4) -1

= 8P x 81 x 3^(8k) (using line from assume n=k)

??? Idk where to go from here
careful the 2 isn't squared just do it again and u shud end up with in step 3 (prove for n=k+1) at which point u just prove is divisible by 8 (i did it via mathematical induction)
 

A1La5

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at which point u just prove is divisible by 8 (i did it via mathematical induction)
Not gonna lie, you psyched me out by saying it was "simple", because after investing all my willpower over figuring out how to rearrange such that it is in the form for all integers M I resorted to using a second case of induction like you did. If there is an easier method to this, I'd love to hear it because it's beyond me at the moment.

I have to add though, this is a rather unique induction problem. Most MX1 induction problems I do on autopilot, this is the first one that's made me think in a bit.
 

vishnay

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Not gonna lie, you psyched me out by saying it was "simple", because after investing all my willpower over figuring out how to rearrange such that it is in the form for all integers M I resorted to using a second case of induction like you did. If there is an easier method to this, I'd love to hear it because it's beyond me at the moment.

I have to add though, this is a rather unique induction problem. Most MX1 induction problems I do on autopilot, this is the first one that's made me think in a bit.
i'm sure there's an easier way i just wasn't bothered to figure it out so i just did induction again
 

5uckerberg

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I think for this one once you get to the n=k+1 step I reckon one can try which should give us . Next, this becomes where ... will give us something that is divisible by 8. The (2) part comes from (3-1)(...) for
 

Drongoski

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Now by the usual procedure, you have shown that:



We now show that B is divisible by 8 as well: and this is now a lot easier to do.



which is obviously divisible by 8.
 
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5uckerberg

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Since all of you have seen the mathematical induction question being solved. I will now present you the following.

Prove by mathematical induction that is divisible by 4?
 

5uckerberg

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Can use same approach.

I was meant to give the students a little test to see if they have learnt how to work out a similar problem from your solution. Sorry for the misinterpreted message.
For I believe that students will gain the greatest satisfaction when they do a similar question by themselves after looking at the scaffold from an example.
 
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5uckerberg

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My apologies!!!

Now students: please don't look at my solution until you have made an honest attempt.
I know what we can do. Edit your work and put it under spoiler and just name it answer or solution that should stop them from looking.

Eg
"Solution to induction question"
 

idkkdi

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Not gonna lie, you psyched me out by saying it was "simple", because after investing all my willpower over figuring out how to rearrange such that it is in the form for all integers M I resorted to using a second case of induction like you did. If there is an easier method to this, I'd love to hear it because it's beyond me at the moment.

I have to add though, this is a rather unique induction problem. Most MX1 induction problems I do on autopilot, this is the first one that's made me think in a bit.
just did it pretty simple

idk what ur having a problem with tho but make sure u prove the stuff that doesn't get multiplied by 8 is divisible by 8 the stuff
3^(4k+2) - 1
=(3^(2k+1)-1)(3^(2k+1)+1)

3^(2k+1)= odd number.
(3^(2k+1)-1) = even
(3^(2k+1)+1) = even
For any four consecutive numbers,
there are two even, and two odd numbers, there must also be one even number that is a multiple of 4.

therefore 4x2, divisible by 8.
 

idkkdi

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3^(4k+2) - 1
=(3^(2k+1)-1)(3^(2k+1)+1)

3^(2k+1)= odd number.
(3^(2k+1)-1) = even
(3^(2k+1)+1) = even
For any four consecutive numbers,
there are two even, and two odd numbers, there must also be one even number that is a multiple of 4.

therefore 4x2, divisible by 8.
alternatively,
3^(4k+2) - 1
use x^n-y^n factorisation with 9^(2k+1)-1
to get (8)(....)
 

idkkdi

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3^(4k+2) - 1
=(3^(2k+1)-1)(3^(2k+1)+1)

3^(2k+1)= odd number.
(3^(2k+1)-1) = even
(3^(2k+1)+1) = even
For any four consecutive numbers,
there are two even, and two odd numbers, there must also be one even number that is a multiple of 4.

therefore 4x2, divisible by 8.
alternatively,
3^(4k+2) - 1
use x^n-y^n factorisation with 9^(2k+1)-1
to get (8)(....)
both work for the question itself. don't even need induction lmao.
 

Drongoski

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As an afterthought, students may wish to note, in regard to divisibility problems in Proof by Induction:



Therefore immediately, divisible by 8. Similarly:



and therefore immediately divisible by 24, as well a 2, 4, 6, 8, & 12.

So Proof by Induction is for such problems, more long-winded. But a good exercise to develop your Proof by Induction skills.
 
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