REAL ANALYSIS, Mathematical Induction

[phillyolly]

Homework Statement

What is wrong with my solution?...
I don't quite understand where do I go from there...

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[Raskolnikov]

k^3 + 3k^2 + 8k + 6 = (k^3 + 5k) + 3k^2 + 3k + 6.

= (k^3 + 5k) + 3(k^2 + k + 2).

From our induction hypothesis, we know the first term is divisible by 6. So it remains to show that k^2 + k + 2 is divisible by 2 for all k. It's a mini-induction proof within your main induction proof. Can you finish up?

 

[phillyolly]

Yay! You are here!
Let me see...

 

[phillyolly]

So it remains to show that k^2 + k + 2 is divisible by 2 for all k. It's a mini-induction proof within your main induction proof.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[jgens]

So it remains to show that k^2 + k + 2 is divisible by 2 for all k. It's a mini-induction proof within your main induction proof.

No need for another proof by induction. Just note that k²+k+2 = k(k+1)+2 and the proof follows immediately.

 

[phillyolly]

This is all I understand.
I am sorry, I need one more hint.

 

[Raskolnikov]

No need for another proof by induction. Just note that k²+k+2 = k(k+1)+2 and the proof follows immediately.

Oops, I totally overlooked that.

 

[Raskolnikov]

phillyolly, you have (k^3 + 5k) + 3(k(k+1) + 2). We want to show this is divisible by 6, right? Well we already know (k^3 + 5k) is divisible by 6 because we assumed so in our induction proof. So now we just have to prove 3(k(k+1) + 2) is divisible by 6=3*2, i.e., prove it's divisible by 3 AND 2.

Clearly it's divisible by 3 already. So we just have to show k(k+1) + 2 is divisible by 2. Well clearly the right term is divisible by 2. So we just need to show k(k+1) is divisible by 2. Well, if k is even, then this is clearly true. If k is odd, then the factor of (k + 1) is even, so k(k+1) is still divisible by 2. Thus, 3(k(k+1) + 2) is divisible by 6. Do you follow?

 

[icantadd]

Okay, you're fine you have to use the inductive hypothesis combined with a brief observation. You assumed that 6 | (n^3+5n) for all n. So you then consider the case (n+1)^3 + 5(n+1) which you have shown equals (n^3+5n) + (3n^2+3n+6). Looking at the left terms you can use your inductive hypothesis. Thus you must show that 6 divides 3n^2+3n+6, and then you can use the property that if "a divides b" and "a divides c" then "a divides b+c" to finish the proof.

Now to show 6 divides 3n^2+3n+6, you will use another theorem. If "n divides a" and "m divides b" then "nm divides ab". Clearly 3 divides 3n^2+3n+6 = 3 (n^2 + n +2). Now if you can show that 2 divides n^2 + n + 2, then the second sentence of this paragraph tells you that you're done. Well, why is this? The easiest way to do this is to recognize that there are two possibilities for n: n is even or odd. If n is odd n=2k+1, if n is even n = 2k. Now, work out the details for both cases. More importantly, when you're done, put all the pieces back together to make a nice story.

 

[phillyolly]

Thank you, now I understand it.
But I would never get to it by myself. Thank you a lot.