How to demonstrate this with mathematical induction?P(n):n^3+5n divide with 6 is true forall ninNN.

3 Answers
Apr 24, 2017

See explanation.

Explanation:

To prove this identity using mathematical induction we have to follow these steps:

  1. Check the identity for n=1: P(1)=1^3+5*1=6. The result is a multiple of 6, so the thesis is true.
  2. Assume that it is true for n=k, so: EE{a in ZZ} k^3+5k=6a
  3. Next step is to prove (using the assumption) that the thesis is true for n=k+1

Proof

n=k+1

(k+1)^3+5(k+1)=k^3+3k^2+3k+1+5k+5=
=k^3+5k+3k^2+3k+6

Now we can simplify the first 2 term using the assumption from point 2.

k^3+5k+3k^2+3k+6=6a+3k^2+3k+6=

6a+3(k^2+k+2)=6a+3(k(k+1)+2)

The first component of the sum is divisible by 6 (from the assumption). We have to show that the second expression is also divisible by 6.

It is clearly divisible by 3. As a sum of an even number and a product of 2 consecutive natural numbers the expression in brackets is an even number. Therfore the whole expression is divisible by 6.

This concludes the proof.

Apr 24, 2017

see below

Explanation:

1) test for P(1)

P(1):1^3+5xx1=1+5=6

:.P(1)=0("mod 6")

:." true for " n=1

2) Assume true n=k

P(k)=k^3+5k

3) Prove for k+1

(k+1)^3+5(K+1)=k^3+3k^2+3k+1+5k+5

P(k+1)=k^3+3k^2+8k+6

=>P(k+1)=(k^3+5k)+3(k^2+k++6)

(k^3+5k)=6p " by assumption"

=>P(k+1)=6p+3(k^2+k+6)

3(k^3+k++6)=0 ( mod 3)

(k^3+k+6) " for k "odd

k=2q-1=>(k^2+k+6)=(2q-1)^2+(2q-1)+6

=4q^2+2q^2+6=2(2q^2+2q^2+3)=0(mod2)

so" " 3(k^2+k+6)=6m

:.P(k+1) =6(p+m)=0(mod6) " for k "odd"

k " even"=k=2t

=>(k^2+k+6)=(2t)^2+2t+6=4t^2+2t+6

=2(2t^2+t+3)=2s

:.P(k)=6(p+s)=0(mod6) " for k even"

P(k)=>P(k+1) AAkinNN

but true for P(1)

:." by induction " P(1)=>P(2)=>P(3)....

" so true "AAninNN

Apr 24, 2017

See a non inductive proof.

Explanation:

To compare, a non inductive proof

We know that

n(n+1)(n+2) is divisible by 6 because one of n, n+1, n+2 is divisible by 3 and also at least one of them is even.

so n(n+1)(n+2) equiv 0 mod 6

but

n^3+5n = n(n+1)(n+2) -3n(n-1)

and here 3n(n-1) equiv 0 mod 6

so

n^3+5n equiv 0 mod 6