Prove that the difference between alternate consecutive squares as always even

Discussion in 'Calculator Requests' started by math_celebrity, Jan 21, 2024.

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  1. math_celebrity

    math_celebrity Administrator Staff Member

    Take an integer n. The next alternate consecutive integer is n + 2

    Subtract the difference of the squares:
    (n + 2)^2 - n^2
    n^2 + 4n + 4 - n^2

    n^2 terms cancel, we get:
    4n + 4

    Factor out a 4:
    4(n + 1)

    If n is odd, n + 1 is even. 4 * even is always even
    If n is even, n + 1 is odd. 4 * odd is always odd

    Since both cases are even, we've proven our statement.

     

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