Prove without solving that the solution of the equation 7 (2x+1) = 13 is not a whole number.

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Lozano

Mathematics

29 April, 12:46

Prove without solving that the solution of the equation 7 (2x+1) = 13 is not a whole number.

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Anderson Holland · Answer 1

Assume x is a whole number. Then 2x+1 is a whole number, and 7 (2x+1) is a whole number that is a multiple of 7.

13 is not a multiple of 7, so we have reached a contradiction, and our assumption must be false.

x cannot be a whole number.