Math Problem Statement

n^3+(n+3)^3+(n+2)^3 is divisible by 9; n = N ; induction

Solution

To prove by induction that n3+(n+3)3+(n+2)3n^3 + (n+3)^3 + (n+2)^3 is divisible by 9 for all integers nn, let's follow the steps of mathematical induction.

Step 1: Base Case

We start by checking the base case, where n=0n = 0.

n3+(n+3)3+(n+2)3=03+33+23=0+27+8=35n^3 + (n+3)^3 + (n+2)^3 = 0^3 + 3^3 + 2^3 = 0 + 27 + 8 = 35

But 35 is not divisible by 9, which suggests a misinterpretation of the problem or a typo in the problem statement.

Instead, let's try n=1n = 1:

n3+(n+3)3+(n+2)3=13+43+33=1+64+27=92n^3 + (n+3)^3 + (n+2)^3 = 1^3 + 4^3 + 3^3 = 1 + 64 + 27 = 92

92 is not divisible by 9 either. It seems that n3+(n+3)3+(n+2)3n^3 + (n+3)^3 + (n+2)^3 may not be divisible by 9 for all nn. Let's recheck the statement and the base case.

However, if the statement were to be n3+(n+1)3+(n+2)3n^3 + (n+1)^3 + (n+2)^3 (as typically problems of this sort would involve consecutive integers), then we should analyze it further.

Step 2: Let's Correct and Check for n3+(n+1)3+(n+2)3n^3 + (n+1)^3 + (n+2)^3

Let's check if n3+(n+1)3+(n+2)3n^3 + (n+1)^3 + (n+2)^3 is divisible by 9.

Base Case for n=0n = 0:

n3+(n+1)3+(n+2)3=03+13+23=0+1+8=9n^3 + (n+1)^3 + (n+2)^3 = 0^3 + 1^3 + 2^3 = 0 + 1 + 8 = 9

9 is divisible by 9, so the base case holds.

Step 3: Inductive Step

Assume that for some integer kk, k3+(k+1)3+(k+2)3k^3 + (k+1)^3 + (k+2)^3 is divisible by 9.

So, assume:

k3+(k+1)3+(k+2)3=9mfor some integer mk^3 + (k+1)^3 + (k+2)^3 = 9m \quad \text{for some integer } m

We need to prove that:

(k+1)3+(k+2)3+(k+3)3(k+1)^3 + (k+2)^3 + (k+3)^3

is also divisible by 9.

Expand the expression:

(k+1)3+(k+2)3+(k+3)3=(k+1)3+(k+2)3+(k+3)3(k+1)^3 + (k+2)^3 + (k+3)^3 = (k+1)^3 + (k+2)^3 + (k+3)^3

Using the binomial theorem, we expand:

(k+1)3=k3+3k2+3k+1(k+1)^3 = k^3 + 3k^2 + 3k + 1 (k+2)3=k3+6k2+12k+8(k+2)^3 = k^3 + 6k^2 + 12k + 8 (k+3)3=k3+9k2+27k+27(k+3)^3 = k^3 + 9k^2 + 27k + 27

Summing these:

3k3+18k2+42k+363k^3 + 18k^2 + 42k + 36

Factor out the 9:

9(k2+5k+4)9(k^2 + 5k + 4)

Hence, the expression is divisible by 9. Therefore, the inductive step holds, and by the principle of mathematical induction, the original statement is true for all integers nn.

Conclusion

The corrected statement n3+(n+1)3+(n+2)3n^3 + (n+1)^3 + (n+2)^3 is divisible by 9 for all nn, as shown by the inductive proof.

Would you like further details on this proof or any specific questions? Here are some related questions:

  1. How does the binomial theorem work in the expansion of cubic expressions?
  2. Can you show the expansion of another cubic term using binomial expansion?
  3. What are common pitfalls when working with induction proofs?
  4. How can we verify the correctness of an inductive hypothesis?
  5. Why might the initial problem statement have led to a contradiction in the base case?

Tip: When using induction, always verify the base case thoroughly to ensure there are no initial contradictions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Mathematical Induction
Divisibility

Formulas

(n+1)^3 = n^3 + 3n^2 + 3n + 1
(n+2)^3 = n^3 + 6n^2 + 12n + 8
(n+3)^3 = n^3 + 9n^2 + 27n + 27

Theorems

Principle of Mathematical Induction
Binomial Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12