Proving (n-1)|(n^k - 1) and the Primality of n^k - 1 when n=2 and k is Prime

Fairy111
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Homework Statement



Let n and k be integers with n>=2 and k>=2. Prove that (n-1)|(n^k - 1).
Hence prove that if n^k - 1 is prime then n=2 and k is prime.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think you go about this question by using proof by induction. However I am really not sure how to do this. Any help would be great! Thanks
 
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Hint: (n-1)(n^{k-1}+n^{k-2}+\ldots+n+1)=n^k-1
 
its supposed to be n^(k) - 1
 
Fairy111 said:
its supposed to be n^(k) - 1

Isn't that the same as the RHS of the formula I wrote?
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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