If f(x) = x + x2, is f(a+1) – f(a) divisible by 4, where a is an...
Steps 1 & 2: Understand Question and Draw Inferences
The question wants us to know whether f(a+1) – f(a) is divisible by 4. Let’s simplify the expression given to us.
f(a+1) – f(a) = (a+1) + (a+1)2 – (a + a2)
Simplifying we get f(a+1) – f(a) = (a + 1 –a) + ((a+1)2 -a2))
- 1 + (a + 1 –a)(a+1+a) = 2 + 2a = 2(1+a) … (using a2 – b2 = (a-b)(a+b))
- From the statement above we can conclude that the given expression is always divisible by 2.
Hence, for f(a+1) – f(a) to be divisible by 4, (1+a) must be divisible by 2, which means that a must be odd.
Step 3: Analyze Statement 1
Statement 1 says that f(a) is divisible by 4.
f(a) = a(1+a)
a(1+a) is the product of two consecutive integers. Therefore, one term out of a and 1+a will be even and the other will be odd. The product of these two terms will be even and will always be divisible by 2.
But, we are given that a(1+a) is divisible by 4 also.
This can happen only if
a) a is divisible by 4 or
b) 1+a is divisible by 4 or
c) Both a and 1+a are divisible by 2
Case c) is ruled out since a and 1+a are consecutive terms. Therefore, they cannot be both even.
If a is divisible by 4, then a is even.
If 1+a is divisible by 4, then a is odd.
Thus, we cannot determine with confidence whether a is odd or not.
Since Statement 1 does not give us a unique answer, it is not sufficient.
Step 4: Analyze Statement 2
Statement 2 says that (-1)a < (-1)a+1
This is only possible if a is odd, implying that a+1 is even.
Thus, a is indeed odd.
Since statement 2 gives us a unique answer, it is sufficient to arrive at the conclusion.
Step 5: Analyze Both Statements Together (if needed)
Since statement 2 gave us a unique answer, this step is not needed.
Correct Answer: B