TITLE: Show that $n$ does not divide $2^n - 1$ where $n$ is an integer greater than $1$?
QUESTION [9 upvotes]: Show that $n$ does not divide $2^n - 1$ where $n$ is an integer greater than $1$?

Clearly $2^n - 1$ is an odd integer, therefore, let $n$ be an odd integer and it divides $2^n - 1$. We can write $2^n - 1 = (2-1)(2^{n-1} + \cdots \cdots + 1) = (2^{n-1} + \cdots \cdots + 1)$
From here on I don't know how to proceed?

REPLY [25 votes]: Suppose contrary that an integer $n>1$ exists such that $n\mid 2^n-1$.  Clearly, $n$ is odd.  Take $p$ to be the smallest prime dividing $n$.  Then, $p\mid 2^n-1$ and $p\mid 2^{p-1}-1$.  Hence, $p\mid 2^d-1$, where $d:=\gcd\big(n,p-1\big)$.  However, as $p$ is the smallest prime divisor of $n$, we have $d=1$.  Hence, $p\mid 2^d-1=1$, a contradiction.  Hence, $n$ does not exist.
Related Question for Interested Party: There exist infinitely many $n\in\mathbb{N}$ such that $n\mid 2^n+1$.  Examples are $n=3^k$, $n=3^{2+k}\cdot 19$, and $n=3^{4+k}\cdot 19\cdot 163$, where $k\in\mathbb{N}_0$.  My question is as follows.

For any given $r\in\mathbb{N}$, does there exist $n\in\mathbb{N}$ with exactly $r$ prime divisors such that $n\mid 2^n+1$?  (If such an $n$ exists for a particular $r$, it can be easily shown that $3^kn$ is also a solution for every $k\in\mathbb{N}_0$.)

EDIT:  Problem 5 (pages 5-6) of this link answers the question above.  In case this link dies again, I am referring to Problem 5 of IMO2000.