$A$ positive integer is of the form $3q + 1$,where $q$ is a natural number. Can you write its square in any form other than $3m + 1$,i.e.,$3m$ or $3m + 2$ for some integer $m$? Justify your answer.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(B) No. According to Euclid's Division Lemma,any positive integer can be expressed in the form $3q, 3q + 1,$ or $3q + 2$ for some integer $q$.
Let us examine the squares of these forms:
$1.$ If the integer is $3q$,then its square is $(3q)^2 = 9q^2 = 3(3q^2) = 3m$,where $m = 3q^2$.
$2.$ If the integer is $3q + 1$,then its square is $(3q + 1)^2 = 9q^2 + 6q + 1 = 3(3q^2 + 2q) + 1 = 3m + 1$,where $m = 3q^2 + 2q$.
$3.$ If the integer is $3q + 2$,then its square is $(3q + 2)^2 = 9q^2 + 12q + 4 = 9q^2 + 12q + 3 + 1 = 3(3q^2 + 4q + 1) + 1 = 3m + 1$,where $m = 3q^2 + 4q + 1$.
Thus,the square of any positive integer is always of the form $3m$ or $3m + 1$. It can never be of the form $3m + 2$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$\sqrt{7+2 \sqrt{5}} = \dots$

The conjugate surd of $3+\sqrt{2}$ is $\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots .$

For any positive integer $n$,prove that $n^{3}-n$ is divisible by $6$.

Difficult
View Solution

The smallest positive number divisible by $24, 36$,and $48$ is $\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots .$

$n^{2}-1$ is divisible by $8,$ if $n$ is

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo