Show that every prime $p>3$ is either of the form $6n+1$ or of the form $6n+5$ [duplicate]

Show that every prime $p>3$ is either of the form $6n+1$ or of the form $6n+5$, where $n=0,1,2, \dots$

Solution 1:

Every integer is of the form $6n$ or $6n+1$ or $6n+2$ or $6n+3$ or $6n+4$ or $6n+5$ for some integer $n$. This is because when we divide an integer $m$ by $6$, we get a remainder of $0$, $1$, $2$, $3$, $4$, or $5$.

If an integer $m>2$ is of the form $6n$ or $6n+2$ or $6n+4$, then $m$ is even and greater than $2$, and therefore $m$ is not prime.

If an integer $m>3$ is of the form $6n+3$, then $m$ is divisible by $3$ and greater than $3$, and therefore $m$ is not prime.

We have shown that an integer $m>3$ of the form $6n$ or $6n+2$ or $6n+3$ or $6n+4$ cannot be prime. That leaves as the only candidates for primality greater than $3$ integers of the form $6n+1$ and $6n+5$.

Comment: In fact, it turns out that there are infinitely many primes of the form $6n+1$, and infinitely many primes of the form $6n+5$. Showing that there are infinitely many of the form $6n+5$ is quite easy, it is a small variant of the "Euclid" proof that there are infinitely many primes. Showing that there are infinitely many primes of the form $6n+1$ requires more machinery. But your question did not ask for such a proof.

Solution 2:

Copied from Are all primes (past 2 and 3) of the forms 6n+1 and 6n-1?

[Considering] $n = 6q + r$

where q is a non-negative integer and the remainder $r$ is one of $0, 1, 2, 3, 4$, or $5$.

• If the remainder is $0, 2$ or $4$, then the number $n$ is divisible by $2$, and can not be prime.
• If the remainder is $3$, then the number $n$ is divisible by $3$, and can not be prime.

So if n is prime, then the remainder r is either

• $1$ (and $n = 6q + 1$ is one more than a multiple of six), or
• $5$ (and $n = 6q + 5 = 6(q+1) - 1$ is one less than a multiple of six).

Solution 3:

This is elementary algebra. For what value(s) of $n$ is $6n$ prime? $6n+2$? $6n+3$? $6n+4$? Are there any other possibilities besides these and the two that you already mentioned?