Need help with a proof by induction, please

[yelena0000]

Using proof by induction, prove that (3^(2n-1))+1 is divisible by 4

so this is what i could do so far:

for n=1
3^(2*1-1)+1=4 which is divisible by 4
assume truth for n=k
(3^(2k-1))+1 is divisible by 4
and i know that next i have to prove for n=k+1 but i really have no idea what to do witht that.
please help

 

[Hitman2-2]

and i know that next i have to prove for n=k+1 but i really have no idea what to do with that.

If you substitute n = k + 1, you get

<br /> 3^{2(k+1) - 1} + 1 = 3^{2k-1} 3^2 + 1<br />

By assumption, 4 | 3^{2k-1} + 1 so try to re-write 3^{2k-1} 3^2 + 1 in a form that has a factor of 3^{2k-1} + 1.

 

[statdad]

The general term is

<br /> a_n = 3^{2n-1}+1<br />

and you've shown that $a_1$ is divisible by four, and you've assumed the same for $a_k$ for some $k \ge 1$.

Look at a_{k+1}.

<br /> 3^{2(k+1)-1} +1 = 3^{2k+2-1} + 1 = 3^{2k -1} 3^2 + 1<br />

The goal is to show that this is also divisible by four - the fact that a_k is divisible by four will play a role in this.