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This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.
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Comments
Let Pn be the proposition 9 ∣ 4n+15n−1 for any natural number n.
First, consider the base case where n=1. Observe that
41+15(1)−1=4+15−1=18
and that 9 divides 18. Then P1 is true.
Now, assume Pk is true for some k∈domain, then 9 ∣ 4n+15n−1.
We realize that 4k+1=4×4k. So
9 ∣ 4k+1+15k×4−1×49 ∣ 4k+1+15k+15+(3×15k−15)−1+(−1×3)9 ∣ 4k+1+15(k+1)−1+(45k−18)9 ∣ 4(k+1)+15(k+1)−1.
Hence Pk true ⇒Pk+1 true.
By mathematical induction, since the base case where n=1 is true and Pk is true, Pk+1 true. Therefore, Pn is true for all natural numbers n.