Question
Mathematics Question on Binomial Theorem for Positive Integral Indices
If a and b are distinct integers, prove that a - b is a factor of an−bn , whenever n is a positive integer.
[Hint: writean=(a−b+b)n and expand]
Answer
In order to prove that (a-b) is a factor of (an−bn), it has to be proved that an−bn=k(an−bn), where k is some natural number
It can be written that, a= a - b + b
∴an(a−b+b)n=[(a−b)+b]n
=C0n(a−b)n+C1n(a−b)n−1b+...+Cn−1n(a−b)bn−1+Cnnbn
=(a−b)n+c1n(a−b)n−1b+...+Cn−1n(a−b)bn−1+bn
⇒an−bn=(a−b)[(a−b)n−1+C1n(a−b)n−2b+...+Cn−1nbn−1]
⇒an−bn=k(a−b)
where, k =[(a−b)n−1+C1n(a−b)n−2b+...+Cn−1nbn−1] is a natural number
This shows that (a - b) is a factor of (an−bn), where n is a positive integer