Discrete Mathematics with Applications 4th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 0-49539-132-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-49539-132-6

Chapter 4 - Elementary Number Theory and Methods of Proof - Exercise Set 4.1 - Page 161: 15

Answer

This statement is true for some integers and false for others.

Work Step by Step

Taking $a=2$ and $n=3$, we get $-a^{n}=-2^{3}$$=-(2\cdot2\cdot2)=-8=(-2)\cdot(-2)\cdot(-2)=(-2)^{3}$, which shows that the statement holds for at least some integers. However, taking $a=2$ and $n=2$, we get $-2^{2}=-(2\cdot2)$$=-4$, but $(-2)^{2}=(-2)\cdot(-2)=+4$. Hence, the statement holds for some integers but not for others. In fact, the statement is true for integers if and only if $n$ is odd.
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