Prove that $3^k+6k-1$ is divisible by 4 using modular arithmetic.

divisibilitymodular arithmeticproof-writing

Prove that $3^k+6k-1$ is divisible by 4.

I can prove this sort of thing using induction, but wanted to learn how to do it with modular arithmetic. I am by no means fluent with modular arithmetic, so sorry if this is very easy, I am just familiar with the basics.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Best Answer

$3\equiv-1\mod4,$ so $3^k+6k-1\equiv 6k-2$ if $k$ is odd and $6k$ if $k$ is even.

Can you take it from here?

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