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Q.Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that x^n - y^n is divisible by (x-y) for all n∈N.

West Bengal WbchseWest Bengal HS First Year (WBCHSE Class XI) Annual Examination 2018Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★est
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Base case n=1n=1 is trivial; the inductive step factors xk+1−yk+1x^{k+1}-y^{k+1} as (x−y)(x-y) times an integer combination of the inductive-hypothesis quotient.

Let P(n)P(n): 'xn−ynx^n-y^n is divisible by (x−y)(x-y)'.

Base case (n=1n=1): x1−y1=x−yx^1-y^1=x-y, which is divisible by (x−y)(x-y) (quotient 11). So P(1)P(1) is true.

Inductive hypothesis: assume P(k)P(k) is true for some k∈Nk\in\mathbb N, i.e. xk−yk=(x−y)⋅mx^k-y^k=(x-y)\cdot m for some expression mm.

Inductive step: show P(k+1)P(k+1) holds.

xk+1−yk+1=xk+1−xyk+xyk−yk+1=x(xk−yk)+yk(x−y)x^{k+1}-y^{k+1}=x^{k+1}-xy^k+xy^k-y^{k+1}=x(x^k-y^k)+y^k(x-y) …

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