Let f(n) be the proposition '3^(2n)-1 is divisible by 8' When n=1, 3^2-1=8 which is divisible by 8. So, f(1) is true. Assume that f(k) is true. i.e. 3^(2k)-1=8M, where M is an integer. When n=k+1, 3^2(k+1)-1 =3^2*3^(2k)-1 =9*3^(2k)-1 =9*[3^(2k)-1]+8 =9*8M+8 =8(9M+1) So, f(k+1) is true. By the principle of MI, f(n) is true fpr all positive integer. |