Prove Sum of 5s and 7s for n > 23

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ipitydatfu
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Induction
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Any integer greater than 23 can be expressed as a sum of 5's and/or 7's, as demonstrated through specific examples. The combinations for numbers 24 through 34 illustrate this pattern, confirming that n can be represented as n = 5a + 7b, where a and b are non-negative integers. The proof relies on establishing a base case for numbers 24 to 28 and extending the argument to all integers greater than 23 by using the formula x + 5n, where x is one of the base cases and n is a natural number.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear combinations in number theory
  • Familiarity with non-negative integers
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical proofs
  • Concept of modular arithmetic
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of linear combinations in number theory
  • Learn about mathematical induction for proving statements
  • Explore modular arithmetic and its applications in number theory
  • Investigate the Frobenius coin problem for further insights on sums of integers
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, educators, students studying number theory, and anyone interested in combinatorial proofs and integer partitions.

ipitydatfu
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Question Details:
show that any number greater than 23 can be written as a sum of 5's and/or 7's


attempt:
24: 7 7 5 5
25: 5 5 5 5 5
26: 7 7 7 5
27: 7 5 5 5 5
28: 7 7 7 7
29: 7 7 5 5 5
30: 5 5 5 5 5 5
31: 7 7 7 5 5
32: 7 5 5 5 5 5
33: 7 7 7 7 5
34: 7 7 5 5 5 5

from this, i see that this follows a pattern:
n = f(a,b) = 5a + 7b

for n> 23


but how do i go about to prove this for all values?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Could you show that it was true for 24,25,26,27,28 then just say that every number beyond these can be expressed as x + 5n, where x is one of 24,25,26,27,28 and n is a natural number?
 
lol yeah. i kinda figured it out similar to that way after taking a long nap. thanks for the response though!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K