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Question 9
Question 9
1. If n = 1, 1 + 8 + 27 = 36 = 9 ∗ x
2. Suppose n = k, k
3
+ (k + 1)
3
+ (k + 2)
3
is divisible by 9.
What I found out the answer so far is them. Are they right way?
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Q123
asked
251 ● 1 ● 4 ● 8 Jan 11 '12 at 3:31
Jonas Meyer
edited
48.5k ● 7 ● 182 ● 286 Jan 11 '12 at 3:36
2 Don't you mean to replace x with 4 in 1? Edit: Also, the notation of using a number to represent an expression and doing
arithmetic that way is terribly confusing.
– Alex Becker
Jan 11 '12 at 3:34
2 is divisible by 9 ?
– Mariano Suárez-Álvarez
Jan 11 '12 at 3:37
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2 Answers order by
votes
The write up is rather confused; it is particularly bad to use "2" and "3-2" as you do, since it seems
7 you are saying that the number 2 is divisible by 9, that 3 − 2 (that is, that 1) is divisible by 9, etc.
Spend the time writing out complete, coherent, self-contained sentences! Confused writing usually
indicates confused thinking.
More specific comments:
1. Bad use of x in your first step. Better to write out explicitly that 36 is equal to 9 × 4 , hence
divisible by 9.
2. Write out explicitly what your assumption is: namely, your assumption is that there exists an
integer q such that
3 3 3
k + (k + 1) + (k + 2) = 9q.
3. Write out explicitly what you need to prove. Namely, you need to prove that
3 3
(k + 1) + (k + 2)
3
+ (k + 3) is divisible by 9.
Then you make a very bad mistake: you affirm the consequent. You are trying to prove that the
expression in point 3 is divisible by 9. You assume that it is divisible by 9, and then point out that if
it is divisible by 9, then so is
3 3 3
((k + 1) + (k + 2) + (k + 3) )
3 2 3
− (k + (k + 1) + (k + 2) ).
Then you note that this is indeed divisible by 9, and conclude that the assumption must be true.
This is a logical fallacy. You are saying: "If P , then Q ; since Q is true, then P must be true." If I fall
into a pool, I'll get wet. I'm wet. Therefore, I fell into a pool. (Well, no, there are other reasons why I
may be wet).
Instead, what you want to do is to write out the expression you want, and try to use the fact that
k
3
+ (k + 1)
3
+ (k + 2)
3
is divisible by 9 to conclude the expression you want is divisible by 3.
For instance, you can write:
3 3 3 3 3
(k + 1) + (k + 2) + (k + 3) = (k + 1) + (k + 2)
3 2
+ (k + 9k + 27k + 81)
3 3 3
= k + (k + 1) + (k + 2)
2
+ (9k + 27k + 81)
This completes the Inductive Step. Together with the Base (step 1), this establishes the desired
result for all integers.
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Arturo Magidin
answered
343k ● 49 ● 713 ● 1050 Jan 11 '12 at 3:44
amWhy
edited
202k ● 138 ● 259 ● 481 Sep 18 '18 at 16:11
≡ 0 .
2
= 9 (n + 3 n + 3) ≡ 0 .
This is a special case of a proof by telescopy. For many further examples see my prior posts.
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Bill Dubuque
answered
251k ● 36 ● 254 ● 812 Jan 11 '12 at 3:51
Community Bot
edited
1 Apr 13 '17 at 12:21
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