Prove that the difference of any two consecutive square numbers is odd

It is important we first define what we mean by an odd and even number.
An even number is any integer (whole number) number divisible by 2 so we can express any even number as 2x where x is any integer. When counting, every even number is followed by an odd number; 1,2,3... etc.
We can then express any odd number as 2x+1 as it will just be the next number after 2x i.e. add one.
Now any square number can be expressed as n^2 where n is any integer. The next square number can also be written as (n+1)^2 since it will be the square of the next number after n i.e. n+1.
As such, the difference of any two consecutive square numbers can be written as (n+1)^2 - n^2   
Expanding this we get (n^2 + 2n + 1) - n^2
This reduces to 2n+1 since the n^2 values cancel.
Since any odd number can be written in the form 2x+1  where x is any integer as earlier defined, 2n+1 is an odd number for any value of n which completes the proof.  

Answered by Amar H. Maths tutor

57808 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Sam takes out a £720 loan. Sam will have to pay back the £720 plus an interest rate of 15%. He will have to pay this back in 12 equal monthly instalments. How much must Sam pay monthly?


Daniel bakes 420 cakes. He bakes only vanilla cakes, banana cakes, lemon cakes and chocolate cakes. 72 of the cakes are vanilla cakes. 35% of the cakes are banana cakes. The ratio of the number of lemon cakes to the number of chocolate cakes is 4:5 Work


Solve the equation 6x^2 + 17x - 39 = 0


Solve the simultaneous equation: 3x-12y=6 , 18y=9x+10y


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy