Prove the statement by the Principle of Mathematical Induction: For any natural number $n$,$x^{n}-y^{n}$ is divisible by $x-y$,where $x$ and $y$ are any integers with $x \neq y$.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let $P(n): x^{n}-y^{n}$ is divisible by $(x-y)$ for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$.
Step $1$: For $n=1$,$P(1): x^{1}-y^{1} = x-y$,which is clearly divisible by $(x-y)$. Thus,$P(1)$ is true.
Step $2$: Assume $P(k)$ is true for some $k \in \mathbb{N}$,i.e.,$x^{k}-y^{k} = m(x-y)$ for some integer $m$. (Equation $i$)
Step $3$: For $n=k+1$,we need to show $P(k+1): x^{k+1}-y^{k+1}$ is divisible by $(x-y)$.
$x^{k+1}-y^{k+1} = x^{k+1} - x^{k}y + x^{k}y - y^{k+1}$
$= x^{k}(x-y) + y(x^{k}-y^{k})$
Substituting from Equation $i$:
$= x^{k}(x-y) + y(m(x-y))$
$= (x-y)(x^{k} + my)$
Since $(x^{k} + my)$ is an integer,$x^{k+1}-y^{k+1}$ is divisible by $(x-y)$.
Thus,$P(k+1)$ is true whenever $P(k)$ is true.
By the Principle of Mathematical Induction,$P(n)$ is true for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Use the Principle of Mathematical Induction to prove that the number of subsets of a set containing $n$ distinct elements is $2^{n}$,for all $n \in N$.

Prove the following by using the principle of mathematical induction for all $n \in N$:
$\frac{1}{3 \times 5} + \frac{1}{5 \times 7} + \frac{1}{7 \times 9} + \ldots + \frac{1}{(2n+1)(2n+3)} = \frac{n}{3(2n+3)}$

Prove the following by using the principle of mathematical induction for all $n \in N$:
$1+\frac{1}{(1+2)}+\frac{1}{(1+2+3)}+\ldots+\frac{1}{(1+2+3+\ldots+n)}=\frac{2n}{n+1}$

Difficult
View Solution

The statement $P(n): 1 \times 1! + 2 \times 2! + 3 \times 3! + \dots + n \times n! = (n + 1)! - 1$ is

Let $P(n)$ denote the statement that $n^2 + n$ is odd. It is seen that $P(n) \Rightarrow P(n + 1)$. $P(n)$ is true for all:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo