Prove that there are infinitely many positive integers n such that 2n−8 is divisible by n. (Kristina Ana Škreb)
Solution
We will prove that for all positive integers of the form n=3p (where p>3 is a prime number) n∣2n−8. By Fermat's little theorem we have 2p≡2(modp), so it follows that 23p−8=(2p)3−8≡23−8=0(modp).(9) Analogously, since 3p is an odd number, we have 23p−8≡(−1)3p−2≡−3≡0(mod3).(10) Since 3 and p are relatively prime, from (9) and (10) we conclude that 23p−8≡0(mod3p). There are infinitely many prime numbers greater than 3, hence the assertion follows.
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