- #1
TheFurryGoat
- 42
- 0
Can you help me with this problem:
if a^2 divides b^2, show that a divides b.
This was a homework question that I had a while ago and it was solved by using the fundamental theorem of arithmetic.
I instead tried to solve it with proof by contradiction:
a^2 divides b^2 implies a divides b^2
counterassumption: a does not divide b => b = q*a + r, 0< r < a
Now b^2 = q^2*a^2 + 2qar + r^2, now a divides q^2*a^2 and 2qar, but what about r^2.
At this part I got confused, and went out for a beer.
Can you help with this?
if a^2 divides b^2, show that a divides b.
This was a homework question that I had a while ago and it was solved by using the fundamental theorem of arithmetic.
I instead tried to solve it with proof by contradiction:
a^2 divides b^2 implies a divides b^2
counterassumption: a does not divide b => b = q*a + r, 0< r < a
Now b^2 = q^2*a^2 + 2qar + r^2, now a divides q^2*a^2 and 2qar, but what about r^2.
At this part I got confused, and went out for a beer.
Can you help with this?