Suppose $a$ is a non-zero real number such that $a +\frac{1}{a}$ is a whole number. (a) Prove that $a^2 +\frac{1}{a^2}$ is also an integer. (b) Prove that $a^n+\frac{1}{a^n}$ is also an integer, for any integer value positive of $n$.
Source:
Tags: number theory, algebra
Suppose $a$ is a non-zero real number such that $a +\frac{1}{a}$ is a whole number. (a) Prove that $a^2 +\frac{1}{a^2}$ is also an integer. (b) Prove that $a^n+\frac{1}{a^n}$ is also an integer, for any integer value positive of $n$.