$A$ 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

The value obtained after rationalising the denominator of $\frac{1}{3+\sqrt{8}}$ is $\ldots \ldots$

Three sets of English,Hindi,and Mathematics books have to be stacked in such a way that all the books are stored topic-wise and the height of each stack is the same. The number of English books is $96$,the number of Hindi books is $240$,and the number of Mathematics books is $336$. Assuming that the books are of the same thickness,determine the number of stacks of English,Hindi,and Mathematics books.

Difficult
View Solution

Show that the square of any positive integer is either of the form $4q$ or $4q+1$ for some integer $q$.

Difficult
View Solution

The last digit of $10^{n}$ for any integer $n \geq 1$ is ............

Find the largest number which divides $615$ and $963$ leaving remainder $6$ in each case.

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