Validate 10|z: 8 Cases to Consider

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter 1+1=1
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around validating the conditions under which a number is both a cube and a square, specifically focusing on the forms 9k and 9k+1. Participants explore various mathematical proofs and counterexamples related to divisibility by 10 and the implications of greatest common divisors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a number must take the forms 9k or 9k+1 to be both a cube and a square, seeking validation for this claim.
  • Another participant states that 10 divides z if and only if the greatest common divisor (10, z) is not equal to 1, but questions the converse by providing a counterexample (z = 2).
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the implications of the previous statements, indicating that the proof requires showing both directions of the implication.
  • Further discussion raises the possibility of assuming (10, n) equals 1 and demonstrating a contradiction as a valid proof technique.
  • Another participant proposes that for a number k to be both a square and a cube, it must be the 6th power of another number, leading to a modular analysis of k under modulo 9.
  • The modular analysis includes calculations for k = n^6 for n ranging from 0 to 8, showing that k can only be congruent to 0 or 1 modulo 9.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the implications regarding divisibility and greatest common divisors. Multiple competing views remain regarding the proof techniques and the conditions under which a number can be both a cube and a square.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the assumptions needed for their proofs, particularly regarding the implications of greatest common divisors and the conditions for numbers being both cubes and squares.

1+1=1
Messages
93
Reaction score
0
if a number is a cube and a square the only forms will be 9k or 9k+1. any suggestions as to how to vaidate this?? would the 8 cases work? from 9k to 9k+8? what does everyone else think?

yet another...

10 divides z if and only if (10,z) does not = 1.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
10 divides z if and only if (10,z) does not = 1.

Obviously if 10 divides z, then (10, z) is not 1 (it must be at least 10). But the converse is not true, consider z = 2...
 
that really doesn't help much, i kind of thought of that. this is one of those proofs that need to show one way then the other. that is all i am coming up with.
 
this is one of those proofs that need to show one way then the other.

But, uh, didn't I just give a counterexample to the other implication? And thus, it's false?
 
so if i have the left hand side saying that if you choose n = 1, then that says that (10,n) cannot = 1. with = to 2, it says the same thing, so it would work for all n except for 10, and that would givbe you 1. the right hand side would say that (10,n) not = 1. could i assume that it DOES = 1 and show a contradiction? would that be valid for this type of proof?
 
does anyone have any suggestions on the first question? would showing the 8 cases be the easiest way to p[rove this? i am thinking so, just square them and cube at the same time, or should i square them first THEN cube?
 
For a number, k, to be a square and a cube, it needs to be the 6th power of another number. This is evident from the prime factorization of k. So, we need to show that

[tex]k = n^{6m} \equiv 0 or 1 (mod 9)[/tex]

So we need consider only the nine cases n=0,1,2,...,8

[tex]0^{6} = 0 \equiv 0 (mod 9)[/tex]

[tex]1^{6} = 1 \equiv 1 (mod 9)[/tex]

[tex]2^{6} = 64 \equiv 1 (mod 9)[/tex]

[tex]3^{6} \equiv 6^{6m} \equiv 0 (mod 9)[/tex]

[tex]4^{6} = 2^{12} \equiv 1 (mod 9)[/tex]

[tex]5^{6} \equiv (-4)^6 = 4^6 \equiv 1 (mod 9)[/tex]

[tex]7^{6} \equiv (-2)^6 = 2^6 \equiv 1 (mod 9)[/tex] and

[tex]8^{6} \equiv (-1)^6 = 1 (mod 9)[/tex]

And of course, 0^m = 0 and 1^m = 1, so that completes the proof.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K