Prove the following by contradiction: for any n in Z we have 9∤(n^2+3)

kybudmanqm

kybudmanqm

Answered question

2022-09-05

Prove the following by contradiction: for any n Z we have 9 ( n 2 + 3 )
I understand that I need to derive false from ¬ ( 9 ( n 2 + 3 ) ), or 9 n 2 + 3. To do this, I attempted to say n 2 + 3 = 9 k for some k Z . Then I tried something like 3 = n 2 = 3 ( k 1 ), but 3 3. That doesn't contradict the statement.

Answer & Explanation

Annie Wells

Annie Wells

Beginner2022-09-06Added 17 answers

Step 1
If 9 ( n 2 + 3 ) then n 2 = 9 m 3. So 3 n 2 , and in turn 3∣n and there is an integer k so that n = 3 k.
Step 2
Substitute this back into the equation: ( 3 k ) 2 = 9 m 3. So 9 k 2 = 9 m 3 and this means 9∣3, impossible. Hence 9 ( n 2 + 3 ).
Lena Ibarra

Lena Ibarra

Beginner2022-09-07Added 13 answers

Step 1
If you assume n , 9 n 2 + 3 then you can easily get a contradiction. A forall is like a machine that prints out facts, so we use it to print out a version with n = 2 say.
Step 2
This gives us the assumption 9 2 2 + 3 i.e 9∣7. That gives us our proof of false.

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