Proving Induction Problem: 5|(7^k-2^k) for all k∈R

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The discussion centers on proving the statement 5|(7^k-2^k) for all k∈R using mathematical induction. The initial step involves verifying the base case P(0), which confirms that 5 divides 0. The next step, P(k+1), leads to the expression 7^(k+1)-2^(k+1) being rewritten as 7.7^k-2.2^k. The proof is completed by showing that this expression can be factored into 5(7x+2^k), where x is an integer derived from the induction assumption that 7^k-2^k is divisible by 5.

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Homework Statement


Prove the following statement by induction

5|(7^k-2^k) for all k[tex]\in[/tex]R


2. The attempt at a solution
Started by proving P(k)=5|(7^k-2^k) where k=0
which gives 5|0=7^0-2^0 =>0

Then when P(k+1)=5|(7^k-2^k) it gets more complicated and I get stuck.
Proving this induction: 7^(k+1)-2^(k+1)=7.7^k-2.2^k
But this is as far as a get and I cannot seem to get the nest step.

The answers show that the next steps are:
=> 7.7^k-7.2^k+7.2^k-2.2^k
=> 7(7^k-2^k)+(7-2)2^k
=> 5(7x+2^k)

Which apparently is the proof.

I'm confused as to how they get from the 1st step to the second and also where the variable x comes from in the final step.

Any help on this question would be greatly appreciated.
 
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The induction assumption is that 7^k-2^k is divisible by 5. So it's equal to 5*x, where x is some integer. That means 7^k-2^k=5x. That's the x they are talking about.
 

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