Proof of gcd and lcm properties for prime factorizations

In summary: You need to show that lcm(a,b) divides c. Again, this should be easy, since c is the result of taking the sum of all the primes that divide a and b.
  • #1
bobsmiters
12
0
If n has k digits in its binary numeral, show that there are at most 2^k/2 numbers n. Can there be exactly 2^k/2?

I tried to understand this question with an example so I took n=36 which has the binary number 100100; k=6 but 2^k/2n gives 2^3 36 but 8 is not less than or equal to 6? Any help is appreciated for either question.

Also does anyone know how to prove this:

Suppose that p_1, p_2, ..., p_k are all the primes that divide a or b, and that a=p_1^m_1 X p_2^m_2 X...X p_k^m_k, b=p_1^n_1 X p_2^n_2 X...Xp_k^n_k

Deduce that: gcd(a,b) = p_1^min(m_1, n_1)Xp_2^min(m_2,n_2)...Xp_k^min(m_k, n_k),

lcm(a,b) = p_1^max(m_1, n_1)Xp_2^max(m_2,n_2)...Xp_k^max(m_k, n_k)
 
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  • #2
I think the first question should be understood as
"How many integers are there with k digits in its binary representation?".

Disregarding the special case n = 0, the first digit in the binary representation of a number n with k digits must always be 1. The rest however can be either 0 or 1. That gives us exactly
2k-1 = 2k/2 different numbers.
 
  • #3
bobsmiters said:
Also does anyone know how to prove this:
Suppose that p_1, p_2, ..., p_k are all the primes that divide a or b, and that a=p_1^m_1 X p_2^m_2 X...X p_k^m_k, b=p_1^n_1 X p_2^n_2 X...Xp_k^n_k

Deduce that: gcd(a,b) = p_1^min(m_1,n_1)Xp_2^min(m_2,n_2)...Xp_k^min(m_k, n_k)

If [tex]c=p_1^{\min(m_1,n_1)}\ldots p_k^{\min(m_k, n_k)}[/tex] you have a couple of things to show. First show that c divides both a and b. This should be easy.

Next, if d divides both a and b, you want to show d divides c. Consider the prime factorization of d, and use the assumption that it divides both a and b here.

The lcm one is similar.
 

1. What are binary numbers and why are they important in computer science?

Binary numbers are a base-2 number system, meaning they have only two digits: 0 and 1. They are important in computer science because computers use binary digits to represent and process data, making it easier for them to perform calculations and store information.

2. How do you convert a decimal number to binary?

To convert a decimal number to binary, you can use the repeated division-by-2 method. Start by dividing the decimal number by 2 and writing down the remainder. Then, divide the quotient by 2 and write down the remainder again. Continue this process until the quotient is 0. The binary number is formed by writing the remainders in reverse order.

3. What is the greatest common divisor (gcd) of two numbers?

The greatest common divisor, also known as the greatest common factor, is the largest number that divides evenly into both of the given numbers. In other words, it is the largest number that is a common factor of both numbers.

4. How do you find the gcd of two numbers?

To find the gcd of two numbers, you can use the Euclidean algorithm. This involves finding the remainder when the larger number is divided by the smaller number, then using that remainder as the divisor in the next step. Continue this process until the remainder is 0. The last non-zero remainder is the gcd of the two numbers.

5. What is the least common multiple (lcm) of two numbers?

The least common multiple is the smallest positive number that is a multiple of both of the given numbers. In other words, it is the smallest number that both numbers can divide into evenly.

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