The sequence {xn} is defined by x1=2, x2=12, xn+2=6xn+1−xn, n=1,2,…. Let p be an odd prime number. Let q be a prime number such that q∣xp. Prove that if q=2, then q≥2p−1.
Solution
It is easy to see xn=221((3+22)n−(3−22)n),n=1,2,… Let an,bn be positive integers and an+bn2=(3+22)n. Then an−bn2=(3−22)n, so xn=bn, and an2−2bn2=1, n=1,2,…
Suppose q=2. Since q∣xp, thus q∣bp, so there exists a term in {bn} which is divisible by q. Let d be the least number such that q∣bd. We have the following lemma.
Lemma For any positive integer n, q∣bn if and only if d∣n.
Proof: For a,b,c,d∈Z, denote a+b2≡c+d2(modq) as a≡c(modq) and b≡d(modq).
If d∣n, write n=du, then an+bn2=(3+22)du≡adu(modq), so bn≡0(modq).
On the other hand, if q∣bn, write n=du+r, 0≤r<d. Suppose r≥1, from an=(3+22)n=(3+22)du⋅(3+22)r≡adu(ar+br2)(modq), we have adubr≡0(modq).1◯ But ad2−2bd2=1, and q∣bd; so q∤ad2. Since q is a prime, therefore q∤ad, and (q,adu)=1. From (1) we have q∣br, it contradicts the definition of d. So r=0, and the lemma is proven.
Now, as q is a prime, so q∣(iq), i=1,2,…,q−1.
Using Fermat's little theorem, we have 3q≡3(modq),2q≡2(modq). As q=2, so 22q−1≡±1(modq), we get (3+22)q=i=0∑q(iq)⋅3q−i(22)i≡3q+(22)q=3q+2q⋅22q−12≡3±22(modq). By the same argument, we have (3+22)q2≡(3±22)q≡3+22(modq). So (aq2−1+2bq2−1)(3+22)≡3+22(modq). Thus, {3aq2−1+4bq2−1≡3(modq),2aq2−1+3bq2−1≡2(modq). We know that q∣bq2−1.
Since q∣bp, from the lemma, we have d∣p. So d∈{1,p}, and if d=1, then q∣b1=2, contradiction! So d=p, hence q∣bq2−1. So p∣q2−1, thus p∣q−1 or p∣q+1. Since q−1 and q+1 are even, so q≥2p−1.
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