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Number theory Difficulty 4.5 AIME Prove it

Discover: In any three consecutive integers, the square difference between the largest and smallest number is a multiple of 44. Verify:(1)Theresultof(1) The result of 5^{2}-3^{2}isamultipleof is a multiple of 4;; (2) Prove: In any three consecutive odd numbers, the square difference between the largest and smallest number is a multiple of 8$.

Solution

Step-by-step Solution:

(1) To verify the square difference between the largest and smallest number in three consecutive integers is a multiple of 44, let's calculate 52325^{2}-3^{2}:

5232=259=16=4×4. \begin{align*} 5^{2}-3^{2} & = 25-9 \\ & = 16 \\ & = 4 \times 4. \end{align*}

Therefore, the result, 1616, is indeed a multiple of 44. Thus, the statement is verified for this specific case, and the answer is 4\boxed{4}.

(2) To prove that in any three consecutive odd numbers, the square difference between the largest and smallest number is a multiple of 88, let's denote the three consecutive odd numbers as 2n12n-1, 2n+12n+1, and 2n+32n+3:

(2n+3)2(2n1)2=(2n+3+2n1)(2n+32n+1)=(4n+2)(4)=8(2n+1). \begin{align*} \left(2n+3\right)^{2}-\left(2n-1\right)^{2} & = \left(2n+3+2n-1\right)\left(2n+3-2n+1\right) \\ & = \left(4n+2\right)\left(4\right) \\ & = 8\left(2n+1\right). \end{align*}

This calculation shows that the square difference between the largest and smallest number in any three consecutive odd numbers is indeed 8(2n+1)8\left(2n+1\right), which is a multiple of 88. Therefore, the proof is complete, and we can conclude that the square difference between the largest and smallest number in any three consecutive odd numbers is a multiple of 8\boxed{8}.

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Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.