Proof by induction that $n^3 + (n + 1)^3 + (n + 2)^3$ is a multiple of $9$. Please mark/grade.

What do you think about my first induction proof? Please mark/grade.

Theorem

The sum of the cubes of three consecutive natural numbers is a multiple of 9.

Proof

First, introducing a predicate $P$ over $\mathbb{N}$, we rephrase the theorem as follows. $$\forall n \in \mathbb{N}, P(n) \quad \text{where} \quad P(n) \, := \, n^3 + (n + 1)^3 + (n + 2)^3 \text{ is a multiple of 9}$$ We prove the theorem by induction on $n$.

Basis

Below, we show that we have $P(n)$ for $n = 0$. $$0^3 + 1^3 + 2^3 = 0 + 1 + 8 = 9 = 9 \cdot 1$$

Inductive step

Below, we show that for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$, $P(n) \Rightarrow P(n + 1)$.

Let $k \in \mathbb{N}$. We assume that $P(k)$ holds. In the following, we use this assumption to show that $P(k + 1)$ holds.

By the assumption, there is a $i \in \mathbb{N}$ such that $i \cdot 9 = k^3 + (k + 1)^3 + (k + 2)^3$. We use this fact in the following equivalent transformation. The transformation turns the sum of cubes in the first line, for which we need to show that it is a multiple of 9, into a product of 9 and another natural number.

$(k + 1)^3 + (k + 2)^3 + (k + 3)^3 \\ = (k + 1)^3 + (k + 2)^3 + k^3 + 9k^2 + 27k + 27 \\ = k^3 + (k + 1)^3 + (k + 2)^3 + 9k^2 + 27k + 27 \quad | \text{ using the induction hypothesis} \\ = 9i + 9k^2 + 27k + 27 \\ = 9 \cdot i + 9 \cdot k^2 + 9 \cdot 3k + 9 \cdot 3 \\ = 9 \cdot (i + k^2 + 3k + 3)$

We see that the above product has precisely two factors: 9 and another natural number. Thus the product is a multiple of 9. This completes the induction.

Solution 1:

I do not think that this is a real question but if you were my student i would give you an A.
It is all fine to me.

Solution 2:

It's fine, here's a simpler proof without induction:

$n^3\equiv n\ (\text{mod }3)$, because it obviously holds for $n=-1,0,1$.

Therefore $3n^3\equiv3n\ (\text{mod 9})$ and $$(n-1)^3+n^3+(n+1)^3\equiv3n^3+6n\equiv0\ (\text{mod }9)$$

Solution 3:

Formulation, base case, inductive hypothesis, inductive step, it all looks good. :)

One might also conclude with a clarifying statement about what has been done - that the hypothesis is true for all $n \in \Bbb N$.