Show that 5 does not divide L_n

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating that 5 does not divide the Lucas numbers \(L_n\) for \(n \geq 1\). Participants explore mathematical reasoning, particularly through induction, to establish this property and clarify the implications of their findings.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose to show that \(L_{n+1} + L_{n-1} = 5 F_n\) for \(n \geq 2\) and conclude that \(5 \nmid L_n\) for \(n \geq 1\).
  • Induction is suggested as a method to prove that \(5 \nmid L_k\) for \(k\) up to \(n\), with a base case of \(L_1 = 1\) where \(5 \nmid 1\).
  • Participants discuss the inductive step, asserting that if \(5 \mid L_{n+1}\), it leads to a contradiction regarding \(L_{n-1}\).
  • There is uncertainty about whether the base case should include \(n=2\) since \(L_2 = 3\) and \(5 \nmid 3\).
  • Some participants question the definition of \(L_0\) and its relevance to the induction process.
  • Clarifications are sought regarding the range of \(k\) in the induction hypothesis, with some suggesting it should be \(1 \leq k \leq n\) for \(n \geq 2\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the induction approach and the inclusion of specific base cases. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the complete proof for all \(n\) and the implications of the base cases.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of \(L_0\) and the implications of the base case for \(n=2\). The mathematical steps and assumptions made during the induction process are not fully resolved.

evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

I want to show that $L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=5 F_n$ for $n \geq 2$ and conclude that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$.

I have tried the following:

$L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=F_n+F_{n+2}+F_{n-2}+F_n=F_n+F_{n+1}+F_n+F_n-F_{n-1}+F_n=4F_n+F_{n+1}-F_{n-1}=4F_n+F_n+F_{n-1}-F_{n-1}=5F_n$.

But how do we deduce that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$ ? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
Hello! (Wave)

I want to show that $L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=5 F_n$ for $n \geq 2$ and conclude that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$.

I have tried the following:

$L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=F_n+F_{n+2}+F_{n-2}+F_n=F_n+F_{n+1}+F_n+F_n-F_{n-1}+F_n=4F_n+F_{n+1}-F_{n-1}=4F_n+F_n+F_{n-1}-F_{n-1}=5F_n$.

But how do we deduce that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$ ? (Thinking)

Hey evinda!

How about using induction?
Suppose 5 does not divide $L_k$ for k up to n, then... (Thinking)
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Hey evinda!

How about using induction?
Suppose 5 does not divide $L_k$ for k up to n, then... (Thinking)

So is it right as follows?

Base case: $L_1=1$ and $5 \nmid 1$.

Induction hypothesis: We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$.

Inductive step:$L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Suppose that $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then $5 \mid 5F_n-L_{n-1}$ and $5 \mid 5F_n$. So $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.
Thus, $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.
 
evinda said:
So is it right as follows?

Base case: $L_1=1$ and $5 \nmid 1$.

Induction hypothesis: We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$.

Inductive step:$L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Suppose that $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then $5 \mid 5F_n-L_{n-1}$ and $5 \mid 5F_n$. So $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.
Thus, $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.

Suppose we ckeck the inductive step for n=1, aren't we referring to $L_0$ then?
But that is not defined is it? (Worried)6
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Suppose we ckeck the inductive step for n=1, aren't we referring to $L_0$ then?
But that is not defined is it? (Worried)6

So we have to pick $n \geq 2$ ? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
So we have to pick $n \geq 2$ ? (Thinking)

Yes. However we will not have proven the statement for $L_2$ will we?
The induction step will cover only $L_3$ and up, and the base case covers only $L_1$. (Sweating)
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yes. However we will not have proven the statement for $L_2$ will we?
The induction step will cover only $L_3$ and up, and the base case covers only $L_1$. (Sweating)

Do we include at the base case also the case $n=2$ ?

We get that $L_2=3$ and $5 \mid 5$.

We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 2 \leq k \leq n$.

Then $L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Let $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then we get that $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.

So $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.
 
evinda said:
Do we include at the base case also the case $n=2$ ?

Yes.

evinda said:
We get that $L_2=3$ and $5 \mid 5$.

Shouldn't that be $5 \nmid 3$? (Wondering)

evinda said:
We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 2 \leq k \leq n$.

Shouldn't that be $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$ with $n \ge 2$? (Wondering)

evinda said:
Then $L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Let $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then we get that $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.

So $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yes.
Shouldn't that be $5 \nmid 3$? (Wondering)
Shouldn't that be $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$ with $n \ge 2$? (Wondering)

Nice... (Nod) Thank you! (Happy)
 

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