Prove $ x^n-1=(x-1)(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)$ So what I am trying to prove is for any real number x and natural number n, prove $$x^n-1=(x-1)(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)$$ 
I think that to prove this I should use induction, however I am a bit stuck with how to implement my induction hypothesis. My base case is when $n=2$ we have on the left side of the equation $x^2-1$ and on the right side: $(x-1)(x+1)$ which when distributed is $x^2-1$. So my base case holds. 
Now I assume that $x^n-1=(x-1)(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)$ for some $n$. However, this is where I am stuck. Am I trying to show $x^{n+1}-1=(x-1)(x^n + x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)$? I am still a novice when it comes to these induction proofs. Thanks

You may just open hooks in right half of expression:
$$(x - 1)(x^{n - 1} + x^{n - 2} + \dots + x + 1) = x * (x^{n - 1} + x^{n - 2} + \dots + x + 1) - 1 * (x^{n - 1} + x^{n - 2} + \dots + x + 1) = (x^n +  x^{n - 1} + \dots + x^2 + x) - (x^{n - 1} + x^{n - 2} + \dots + x + 1) = x^ n - 1   $$
No problems)
