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| 1. |
For any positive integer n ,prove that n³-n is divisible by 6 |
| Answer» n3\xa0- n = n (n2\xa0- 1) = n (n - 1) (n + 1)\xa0Whenever a number is divided by 3, the remainder obtained is either 0 or 1 or 2.∴ n = 3p or 3p + 1 or 3p + 2, where p is some integer.If n = 3p, then n is divisible by 3.If n = 3p + 1, then n – 1 = 3p + 1 –1 = 3p is divisible by 3.If n = 3p + 2, then n + 1 = 3p + 2 + 1 = 3p + 3 = 3(p + 1) is divisible by 3.So, we can say that one of the numbers among n, n – 1 and n + 1 is always divisible by 3.⇒ n (n – 1) (n + 1) is divisible by 3.\xa0Similarly, whenever a number is divided by 2, the remainder obtained is 0 or 1.∴ n = 2q or 2q + 1, where q is some integer.If n = 2q, then n is divisible by 2.If n = 2q + 1, then n – 1 = 2q + 1 – 1 = 2q is divisible by 2 and n + 1 = 2q + 1 + 1 = 2q + 2 = 2 (q + 1) is divisible by 2.So, we can say that one of the numbers among n, n – 1 and n + 1 is always divisible by 2.⇒ n (n – 1) (n + 1) is divisible by 2.Since, n (n – 1) (n + 1) is divisible by 2 and 3.∴ n (n-1) (n+1) = n3\xa0- n is divisible by 6.( If a number is divisible by both 2 and 3 , then it is divisible by 6)\xa0 | |