Photo AI

Last Updated Sep 27, 2025

Divisibility Simplified Revision Notes

Revision notes with simplified explanations to understand Divisibility quickly and effectively.

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

322+ students studying

Divisibility

Induction can be used to prove that an expression is divisible by some integer.

infoNote

If aa is divisible by bb that means that aa can be expressed as bkbk where kZk \in \mathbb{Z}. For example, 1515 is divisible by 55, because 1515 can be expressed as 535 \cdot 3.

Example

infoNote

Prove by induction that 2n2^n is divisible by 22 where nNn \in \mathbb{N}.

Prove for base case, n=1n=1 :

21=22^1=2

22 is divisible by 22 because you can express 22 as 212 \cdot 1.


Assume true for n=kn=k , that is, assume that 2k2^k can be expressed as 2a2 \cdot a where aZa \in \mathbb{Z}.


Prove true for n=k+1n=k+1

We need to show that 2k+12^{k+1} can be expressed as 2k2 \cdot k for some kZk \in \mathbb{Z}.

We can apply indices rules :

2k+1=2k21=2(2k)2^{k+1}=2^k \cdot 2^1=2(2^k)

Observe that we have expressed 2k+12^{k+1} as 2a2 \cdot a for some aZa \in \mathbb{Z} because 2k2^k is an integer from our inductive hypothesis :

2(2k)=2(2a)2(2^k)=2(2 \cdot a)

Example

infoNote

Prove by induction that 72n+1+17^{2n+1}+1 is divisible by 88 for nNn \in \mathbb{N}.

Prove for base case, n=1n=1 :

72(1)+1+1=3447^{2(1)+1}+1=344

344344 is divisible by 88 because 344=843344=8 \cdot 43.


Assume true for n=kn=k

72k+1+1=8a72k+1=8a1 \begin{align*} 7^{2k+1}+1&=8 \cdot a\\\\ 7^{2k+1}&=8 \cdot a-1\\\\ \end{align*}

for some aZa \in \mathbb{Z}.


Prove true for n=k+1n=k+1

72(k+1)+1+1=72k+3+1=7(2k+1)+2+1=7(2k+1)72+1=(8a1)49+1=392a49+1=392a48=8(49a6)\begin{align*} 7^{2(k+1)+1}+1&=7^{2k+3}+1\\\\ &= 7^{(2k+1)+2}+1 \\\\ &= 7^{(2k+1)} \cdot 7^2+1 \\\\ &= (8 a-1) \cdot 49+1 \\\\ &= 392a-49+1 \\\\ &= 392a-48 \\\\ &= 8(49a-6) \end{align*}

72(k+1)+1+17^{2(k+1)+1}+1 has been expressed as 8b8 \cdot b for some bZb \in \mathbb{Z}. We assumed that aa is an integer, so 49a49a is also an integer (closed under multiplication). An integer subtracted by an integer is also an integer (closed under subtraction), so (49a6)Z(49a-6) \in \mathbb{Z}.

\therefore True for n=k+1n=k+1, assuming that the proposition is true for n=kn=k. Hence the proposition is true for all nNn \in \mathbb{N}.

Books

Only available for registered users.

Sign up now to view the full note, or log in if you already have an account!

500K+ Students Use These Powerful Tools to Master Divisibility

Enhance your understanding with flashcards, quizzes, and exams—designed to help you grasp key concepts, reinforce learning, and master any topic with confidence!

242 flashcards

Flashcards on Divisibility

Revise key concepts with interactive flashcards.

Try Mathematics Flashcards

13 quizzes

Quizzes on Divisibility

Test your knowledge with fun and engaging quizzes.

Try Mathematics Quizzes

29 questions

Exam questions on Divisibility

Boost your confidence with real exam questions.

Try Mathematics Questions

27 exams created

Exam Builder on Divisibility

Create custom exams across topics for better practice!

Try Mathematics exam builder

322 papers

Past Papers on Divisibility

Practice past papers to reinforce exam experience.

Try Mathematics Past Papers

Other Revision Notes related to Divisibility you should explore

Discover More Revision Notes Related to Divisibility to Deepen Your Understanding and Improve Your Mastery

96%

114 rated

Induction

Summations

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

347+ studying

180KViews

96%

114 rated

Induction

Proof by Induction

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

432+ studying

194KViews

96%

114 rated

Induction

Series

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

263+ studying

185KViews

96%

114 rated

Induction

Inequalities

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

395+ studying

196KViews
Load more notes

Join 500,000+ Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...

Join Thousands of Leaving Cert Students Using SimpleStudy to Learn Smarter, Stay Organized, and Boost Their Grades with Confidence!

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

500,000+

Students Supported

50 Million+

Questions answered