Further Maths - Induction for Divisibility
Pearson Edexcel Further Mathematics 2022
General technique for divisibility proofs
If you add a multiple of $4$ to something already divisible by $4$, what must be true about the answer?
It is also divisible by 4.
What is the two-step general technique used to show divisibility in induction?
- Assume $f(k)$ is divisible
- Show the difference between $f(k)$ and $f(k+1)$ is divisible.
How would you write the difference between $f(k)$ and $f(k+1)$?
If
\[f(k + 1) - f(k) = 4\times 3^{2k}\]
, what other statement could you write that shows clearly $f(k+1)$ is divisible by $4$?
Introducing a variable for the consecutive-integer product
\[3k(k+1) + 6\]
You’re trying to prove this statement is divisible by $6$. What new variable can you introduce?
\[3k(k+1) + 6\]
Why can you substitute $2m = k(k+1)$?
Because the product of any two consecutive integers must be even.
Inventing cancelling terms
If
\[f(k) = 2^{6k} + 3^{2k-2}\]
, how could you rewrite
\[63\times 2^{6k} + 8\times 3^{2k-2}\]
in terms of $f(k)$?
If
\[f(k) = 2^{6k} + 3^{2k-2}\]
, what is the general technique (but not the process) to rewrite
\[63\times 2^{6k} + 8\times 3^{2k-2}\]
in terms of $f(k)$?
Invent some extra terms that are cancelled out so it’s in the form you want.