Question

8. For any positive integer n, prove that n-n is divisible by 6.
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Answer 1

N³ - n = n(n²-1) = n(n -1)(n + 1) is divided by 3 then possible reminder is 0, 1 and 2 [ ∵ if P = ab + r , then 0 ≤ r < a by Euclid lemma ]

∴ Let n = 3r , 3r +1 , 3r + 2 , where r is an integer

Case 1 :- when n = 3r

Then, n³ - n is divisible by 3 [∵n³ - n = n(n-1)(n+1) = 3r(3r-1)(3r+1) , clearly shown it is divisible by 3 ]

Case2 :- when n = 3r + 1

e.g., n - 1 = 3r +1 - 1 = 3r

Then, n³ - n = (3r + 1)(3r)(3r + 2) , it is divisible by 3

Case 3:- when n = 3r - 1

e.g., n + 1 = 3r - 1 + 1 = 3r

Then, n³ - n = (3r -1)(3r -2)(3r) , it is divisible by 3

From above explanation we observed n³ - n is divisible by 3 , where n is any positive integers

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

n³ - n = n (n² - 1) = n (n - 1) (n + 1)

Whenever a number is divided by 3, the remainder obtained is either 0 or 1 or 2.

∴ n = 3p or 3p + 1 or 3p + 2, where p is some integer.

If n = 3p, then n is divisible by 3.

If n = 3p + 1, then n – 1 = 3p + 1 –1 = 3p is divisible by 3.

If n = 3p + 2, then n + 1 = 3p + 2 + 1 = 3p + 3 = 3(p + 1) is divisible by 3.

So, we can say that one of the numbers among n, n – 1 and n + 1 is always divisible by 3.

⇒ n (n – 1) (n + 1) is divisible by 3.

Similarly, whenever a number is divided 2, the remainder obtained is 0 or 1.

∴ n = 2q or 2q + 1, where q is some integer.

If n = 2q, then n is divisible by 2.

If n = 2q + 1, then n – 1 = 2q + 1 – 1 = 2q is divisible by 2 and n + 1 = 2q + 1 + 1 = 2q + 2 = 2 (q + 1) is divisible by 2.

So, we can say that one of the numbers among n, n – 1 and n + 1 is always divisible by 2.

⇒ n (n – 1) (n + 1) is divisible by 2.

Since, n (n – 1) (n + 1) is divisible by 2 and 3.

∴ n (n-1) (n+1) = n³ - n is divisible by 6.( If a number is divisible by both 2 and 3 , then it is divisible by 6)

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