Prove, by induction, that 4^(n+1) + 5^(2n-1) is always divisible by 21

Firstly when proving something by induction, we always show that the base case works, i.e. we plug in n=1. In this case we get 42 + 51 =21, which is divisible by 21. Next we state what is called the inductive hypothesis, this just means we assume it is true for n=k, i.e. we assume 4k+1 + 52k-1 is divisible by 21. Now we try to use this to show that the case n=k+1 is also true, in this case we consider 4k+2 + 52(k+1)-1 which can be manipulated as shown below4k+2 +52k+1 = 4* 4k+1 + 55 52k-1 = 4* 4k+! + 4* 52k-1 + 21* 52k-1 = 4*( 4k+1 + 52k-1) + 21* 52k-1Now, as we know that 4k+1 + 52k-1 is divisible by 21, we can see that the expression above is also divisible by 21.Lastly we conclude that because the case n=1 is true and if n=k is true then n=k+1 is true, the statement is true for all natural numbers n.

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Use de Moivre’s theorem to show that, (sin(x))^5 = A sin(5x) + Bsin(3x) + Csin(x), where A , B and C are constants to be found.


Using the definitions of hyperbolic functions in terms of exponentials show that sech^2(x) = 1-tanh^2(x)


solve the equation 4cos^2(x) -15sin(x) = 13


Solve the second order ODE, giving a general solution: x'' + 2x' - 3x = 2e^-t


We're here to help

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