.Find the flaw in the following proof. JECTURE: If n is a prime number, then 2"- 1 is also prime. UMENT: te that 22 1 = 3, 23 – 1 = 7, and 2% – 1 = 31 are all primes. Now, suppose that q is not a prime. Then 2" – 1 = 29 – 1= (2")ª – 1 = (2" – 1) [(2")ª-1 + (2")“-2 + ...+ 1] e factored and thus not a prime. Therefore, 2" – 1 is prime whenever n is prime. %3D

Elements Of Modern Algebra
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285463230
Author:Gilbert, Linda, Jimmie
Publisher:Gilbert, Linda, Jimmie
Chapter2: The Integers
Section2.2: Mathematical Induction
Problem 49E: Show that if the statement is assumed to be true for , then it can be proved to be true for . Is...
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2. Find the flaw in the following proof.
CONJECTURE: If n is a prime number, then 2" – 1 is also prime.
ARGUMENT:
Note that 22 – 1 = 3, 23 – 1 = 7, and 2 – 1 = 31 are all primes. Now, suppose that
n = pq is not a prime. Then
2" – 1= 2" – 1 = (2")" – 1 = (2" – 1) [(2")*-1 + (2")"-2 + - - + 1]
|
can be factored and thus not a prime. Therefore, 2" – 1 is prime whenever n is prime.
Transcribed Image Text:2. Find the flaw in the following proof. CONJECTURE: If n is a prime number, then 2" – 1 is also prime. ARGUMENT: Note that 22 – 1 = 3, 23 – 1 = 7, and 2 – 1 = 31 are all primes. Now, suppose that n = pq is not a prime. Then 2" – 1= 2" – 1 = (2")" – 1 = (2" – 1) [(2")*-1 + (2")"-2 + - - + 1] | can be factored and thus not a prime. Therefore, 2" – 1 is prime whenever n is prime.
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