For any integer n >= 3, the number n^2-1 is composite.

Grayson Pierce

Grayson Pierce

Answered question

2022-07-17

Either prove or find a counterexample to the following statement:
For any integer n 3, the number n 2 1 is composite.

Answer & Explanation

wintern90

wintern90

Beginner2022-07-18Added 12 answers

Step 1
If n 3, then n 1 and n + 1 are > 1, so n 2 1 = ( n 1 ) ( n + 1 ) > 1. Every prime is by definition 1 and can and only can be divided by 1 and itself.
Step 2
But n 1 and n + 1 divide n 2 1. Thus n 2 1 is composite by definition.

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