MathLabs

Problem 5

Prove that for every positive integer nn there exist nn consecutive positive integers none of which is a prime or a power of a prime.
Step 2 of 4: Factor each term by its offset
In plain words

Every constructed number has the offset as a nontrivial factor.

r∣Xr,Xr=r(N!N!r+1)r\mid X_r,\qquad X_r=r\left(N!\frac{N!}{r}+1\right)
Detailed analysis

Because r≤Nr\le N, we have r∣N!r\mid N!, hence r∣(N!)2r\mid(N!)^2 and r∣Xrr\mid X_r. More explicitly, Xr=r(N!N!r+1)X_r=r\left(N!\frac{N!}{r}+1\right). The second factor is an integer greater than 11.