Solve x + y = Relatively Prime: Need Help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating that the expressions x = 2k + 1 and y = 9k + 4 are relatively prime. Participants explore various methods to show this relationship, including algebraic manipulations and the properties of divisibility.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in proving that x and y are relatively prime by substituting values into the equations.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of using the greatest common divisor (gcd) and proposes that if d divides both x and y, then it must also divide their linear combination y - 4x.
  • A further clarification explains that since y - 4x equals k, any common divisor d must also divide k, leading to the conclusion that d divides both 2k and 2k + 1.
  • This reasoning culminates in the assertion that the only common divisor of x and y is 1, suggesting they are relatively prime.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the method of using linear combinations to show that x and y are relatively prime, but the discussion remains open to further exploration of the proofs and methods involved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify all assumptions regarding the values of k or the implications of the divisibility arguments presented, leaving some steps and definitions potentially unresolved.

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i need some help here. i need to show that x=2k+1 and y=9k+4. i need to show that x and y are relatively prime. i am thinking of setting one = to k, and then substitiuting that into the otehr formula. any other suggestions?
 
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y-4x=k

hence d:=(x,y)|k

but d|x=2k+1 => d|1
 
What matt means is the following (in case it needs clarification) :

Assume there is some number, d that divides y and x.

Then d should also divide any linear combination of y and x, in particular y-4x.

But since y-4x = k, this means that d divides k. So d should also divide 2k.

But since x=2k+1, d also divides 2k+1

The last two statements say that d divides 2k and 2k+1, which means that d should divide 1.

So, the only number that divides both x and y is 1.
 
o my that makes so much sense now. i was just setting one = to a k and then substitiuting it in the other. thank you both!
 

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