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Representation of powers of $2$

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:09 pm
by mutasimmim
Prove that any positive integral power of $2$ is representable in the form $7x^2+y^2$. where $x,y$ are integers.

Re: Representation of powers of $2$

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 8:19 pm
by Thanic Nur Samin
Base Case:
$2^3=8=7+1=7(1)^2+1^2$
$2^4=16=7+9=7(1)^2+3^2$

Induction:
For odd powers,
Let $2^p=7a^2+b^2$[$p$ is odd]
$\rightarrow 2^{p+2}=7(2a)^2+(2b)^2$

For even powers,
Let $2^p=7a^2+b^2$[$p$ is even]
$\rightarrow 2^{p+2}=7(2a)^2+(2b)^2$

Proved by induction.

Re: Representation of powers of $2$

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 9:00 pm
by mutasimmim
For even powers, take $x=0$ and for odd powers take $x=y$. We're done!
Note that through this solution we can also find a representation directly.