Show that 5 does not divide L_n

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In summary, the conversation discusses a method for proving that $L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=5F_n$ for $n \geq 2$ and concluding that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$. The method involves using induction and considering the cases of $n=1$ and $n\geq 2$. The conversation also addresses some questions and clarifications about the base case and the induction step. Ultimately, it is determined that $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$ holds for all values of $n$.
  • #1
evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

I want to show that $L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=5 F_n$ for $n \geq 2$ and conclude that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$.

I have tried the following:

$L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=F_n+F_{n+2}+F_{n-2}+F_n=F_n+F_{n+1}+F_n+F_n-F_{n-1}+F_n=4F_n+F_{n+1}-F_{n-1}=4F_n+F_n+F_{n-1}-F_{n-1}=5F_n$.

But how do we deduce that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$ ? (Thinking)
 
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  • #2
evinda said:
Hello! (Wave)

I want to show that $L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=5 F_n$ for $n \geq 2$ and conclude that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$.

I have tried the following:

$L_{n+1}+L_{n-1}=F_n+F_{n+2}+F_{n-2}+F_n=F_n+F_{n+1}+F_n+F_n-F_{n-1}+F_n=4F_n+F_{n+1}-F_{n-1}=4F_n+F_n+F_{n-1}-F_{n-1}=5F_n$.

But how do we deduce that $5 \nmid L_n$ for $n \geq 1$ ? (Thinking)

Hey evinda!

How about using induction?
Suppose 5 does not divide $L_k$ for k up to n, then... (Thinking)
 
  • #3
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Hey evinda!

How about using induction?
Suppose 5 does not divide $L_k$ for k up to n, then... (Thinking)

So is it right as follows?

Base case: $L_1=1$ and $5 \nmid 1$.

Induction hypothesis: We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$.

Inductive step:$L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Suppose that $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then $5 \mid 5F_n-L_{n-1}$ and $5 \mid 5F_n$. So $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.
Thus, $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.
 
  • #4
evinda said:
So is it right as follows?

Base case: $L_1=1$ and $5 \nmid 1$.

Induction hypothesis: We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$.

Inductive step:$L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Suppose that $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then $5 \mid 5F_n-L_{n-1}$ and $5 \mid 5F_n$. So $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.
Thus, $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.

Suppose we ckeck the inductive step for n=1, aren't we referring to $L_0$ then?
But that is not defined is it? (Worried)6
 
  • #5
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Suppose we ckeck the inductive step for n=1, aren't we referring to $L_0$ then?
But that is not defined is it? (Worried)6

So we have to pick $n \geq 2$ ? (Thinking)
 
  • #6
evinda said:
So we have to pick $n \geq 2$ ? (Thinking)

Yes. However we will not have proven the statement for $L_2$ will we?
The induction step will cover only $L_3$ and up, and the base case covers only $L_1$. (Sweating)
 
  • #7
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yes. However we will not have proven the statement for $L_2$ will we?
The induction step will cover only $L_3$ and up, and the base case covers only $L_1$. (Sweating)

Do we include at the base case also the case $n=2$ ?

We get that $L_2=3$ and $5 \mid 5$.

We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 2 \leq k \leq n$.

Then $L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Let $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then we get that $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.

So $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.
 
  • #8
evinda said:
Do we include at the base case also the case $n=2$ ?

Yes.

evinda said:
We get that $L_2=3$ and $5 \mid 5$.

Shouldn't that be $5 \nmid 3$? (Wondering)

evinda said:
We suppose that $5 \nmid L_k$, $\forall 2 \leq k \leq n$.

Shouldn't that be $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$ with $n \ge 2$? (Wondering)

evinda said:
Then $L_{n+1}=5F_n-L_{n-1}$.

Let $5 \mid L_{n+1}$. Then we get that $5 \mid L_{n-1}$, contradiction.

So $5 \nmid L_{n+1}$.
 
  • #9
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yes.
Shouldn't that be $5 \nmid 3$? (Wondering)
Shouldn't that be $\forall 1 \leq k \leq n$ with $n \ge 2$? (Wondering)

Nice... (Nod) Thank you! (Happy)
 

Related to Show that 5 does not divide L_n

1. What does it mean to "divide" a number?

When we say that one number divides another number, it means that the first number can be evenly divided into the second number without leaving any remainder. For example, 3 divides 12 because 12 divided by 3 is equal to 4 with no remainder.

2. What is L_n?

L_n refers to the Lucas numbers, which are a sequence of numbers similar to the Fibonacci sequence. They are defined as L_0 = 2, L_1 = 1, and L_n = L_{n-1} + L_{n-2} for n ≥ 2. So, L_n is the nth term in this sequence.

3. Why is it important to show that 5 does not divide L_n?

It is important to show that 5 does not divide L_n because it helps us understand more about the properties and patterns of the Lucas numbers. It also has applications in number theory and cryptography.

4. How can we prove that 5 does not divide L_n?

We can prove that 5 does not divide L_n by using mathematical induction. First, we can show that 5 does not divide L_0 and L_1. Then, assuming that 5 does not divide L_{n-1} and L_{n-2}, we can show that 5 also does not divide L_n. This will prove that 5 does not divide any term in the Lucas number sequence.

5. Can you give an example of a Lucas number that is not divisible by 5?

Yes, L_3 = L_2 + L_1 = 3 + 1 = 4. Since 5 does not divide 4, we can say that 5 does not divide L_3. In fact, the only Lucas numbers that are divisible by 5 are L_0 = 2 and L_1 = 1.

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