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Prove using induction that $2^{3n-1} + 3$ is divisible by 7 for all $n \\in \\mathbb{N}$. - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 4(a) - 2021

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Question 4(a)

Prove-using-induction-that-$2^{3n-1}-+-3$-is-divisible-by-7-for-all-$n-\\in-\\mathbb{N}$.-Leaving Cert Mathematics-Question 4(a)-2021.png

Prove using induction that $2^{3n-1} + 3$ is divisible by 7 for all $n \\in \\mathbb{N}$.

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Prove using induction that $2^{3n-1} + 3$ is divisible by 7 for all $n \\in \\mathbb{N}$. - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 4(a) - 2021

Step 1

Base Case: $n = 1$

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Answer

To establish the base case, we evaluate the expression when n=1n = 1:

2^{3(1)-1} + 3 &= 2^2 + 3 \\ &= 4 + 3 \\ &= 7. \end{align*}$$ We can see that 7 is divisible by 7, thus the base case holds.

Step 2

Inductive Hypothesis: Assume for $n = k$

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Answer

Assume that the statement holds for some integer kk. That is, we assume: P(k):23k1+3extisdivisibleby7.P(k): 2^{3k-1} + 3 ext{ is divisible by } 7. This means there exists an integer mm such that: 23k1+3=7m.2^{3k-1} + 3 = 7m.

Step 3

Inductive Step: Show for $n = k + 1$

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We need to show that: $$P(k + 1): 2^{3(k+1)-1} + 3 ext{ is divisible by } 7.$$$$ We compute P(k+1)P(k+1):

P(k + 1) &= 2^{3(k + 1) - 1} + 3 \\ &= 2^{3k + 2} + 3 \\ &= 4 imes 2^{3k} + 3. \end{align*}$$ Notice that: $$4 imes 2^{3k} = 2 imes 2^{3k + 1} = 2 imes (2^{3k-1} + 3) - 3 \\ + 3.$$ By replacing $2^{3k - 1} + 3$ with $7m$: $$4 imes 2^{3k - 1} + 3 = 4 imes (7m - 3) + 3 = 28m - 12 + 3 = 28m - 9.$$ By rearranging we can see: $$28m - 9 = 7(4m - 1).$$ Thus, $2^{3(k + 1) - 1} + 3$ is divisible by 7.

Step 4

Conclusion

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Answer

Since both the base case and the inductive step have been established, we conclude that by mathematical induction, the statement is true for all ninmathbbNn \\in \\mathbb{N}.

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