Question

If n is an odd integer, then show that n^2 -1 is divisible by 8

Answer 1

Any odd positive integer is in the form of 4p + 1 or 4p+ 3 for some integer p.

Let n = 4p+ 1, (n2 – 1) = (4p + 1)2 – 1 = 16p2 + 8p + 1 = 16p2 + 8p = 8p (2p + 1) ⇒ (n2 – 1) is divisible by 8.

(n2 – 1) = (4p + 3)2 – 1 = 16p2 + 24p + 9 – 1 = 16p2 + 24p + 8 = 8(2p2 + 3p + 1) ⇒ n2– 1 is divisible by 8.

Therefore, n2– 1 is divisible by 8 if n is an odd positive integer.

Answer 2

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