Saturday, June 1, 2019

number theory - General form of an integer




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From the Division Algorithm, We know that if an integer is divided by 3 , it will leave remainder 0,1 or 2. Now, how is one supposed to write a proper proof for the given question?



P.S. This is a problem from An Introduction to the Theory OF Numbers by Ivan Niven and H.S. Zuckerman.


Answer



You can rewrite any number (for instance n) in the format of 3k, 3k+1 or 3k+2 if the division is by 3 and remainders are 0, 1 and 2.



Hint: We know from mathematical induction that if we prove n+1 is also in this format, for all numbers we have proven this to be true as n is an arbitrary number.




Assume: n=3k, then n+1=3k+1 and therefore the remainder is 1.



Assume: n=3k+1, then n+1=3k+1+1=3k+2 and therefore the remainder is 2.



Assume: n=3k+2, then n+1=3k+2+1=3k+3=3(k+1)=3k and therefore the remainder is 0.


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