Show using mathematical induction that 8^n - 1 is divisible by 7 for n=1,2,3,...

First step: n=1 we have 81 -1=7 which is divisible by 7. Assumption step: 8k-1 is divisible by 7. Induction step: Using the previous step we have that 8k-1=7x. So 8k = 7x+1. Therefore, 8k+1- 1=8(8k)-1=8(7x+1)-1 = 56x + 8 -1 = 56x+7 = 7(8x+1) which is divisible by 7. Hence, since it is true for n=1, n = k and for n=k+1 then it is true for all positive integers

MC

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Show that the line y = x - 7 does not meet the circle (x + 2)^2 + y^2 = 33.


Solve x^4+2x^2-3=0


y(x) = x^2(1-x)e^-2x , find y'(x) in the form of g(x)e^-2x where g(x) is a cubic function to be found


Solve the differential equation dx/dt = -2(x-6)^(1/2) for t in terms of x given that x = 70 when t = 0.