# Quick problem?

by math_grl
Tags: None
 P: 50 I was just browsing for some small problems the other day and came across this problem and I am unsure if it should be obvious and have a quick answer. In any case, I couldn't figure it out. If $$p$$ is a prime that divides $$a - b$$, then show that $$p^2$$ divides $$a^p - b^p$$, where $$a, b \in \mathbb{Z}$$.
 P: 50 Nevermind I figured it out using binomial theorem. But it looked like to me that $$p$$ doesn't necessarily have to be prime. Am I correct?
 P: 530 I have a solution. Let a = b + n*p Then $a^p - b^p = (b + np)^p - b^p = \sum_{k=1}^p \binom{p}{k} n^k p^k b^{p-k}$ Let's now consider each of the terms. For k = p, then it's pp, and since p >= 2, this is evenly divisible by p2. For the remaining terms, 1 <= k <= p-1, and from that inequality, the binomial coefficient is divisible by p, pk is also divisible by p, and thus, all these terms are divisible by p2. Thus, all the terms are divisible by p2, implying that the whole expression is also.
P: 530
Quick problem?

 Quote by math_grl Nevermind I figured it out using binomial theorem. But it looked like to me that $$p$$ doesn't necessarily have to be prime. Am I correct?
That's not the case. That is because binomial(n,k) for 1 <= k <= n-1 is always evenly divisible by n if n is a prime. For n composite, that need not be the case.

Counterexample: binomial(4,2) = 6, which is not divisible by 4.
 PF Gold P: 1,059 In general for an odd prime: (a^p-b^P) =(a-b)(a^(p-1)+(a^p-2)b +a^(p-3)(b^2)+++(a^0)b^(p-1). Since there are p terms in the second expression and a==b Mod p was given, the second term goes to p(a^(p-1))==0 Mod p. In fact, for the above situation, we need only an odd integer, not a prime.
 P: 50 robert, i like your expansion of a^p - b^p....but I'm afraid I don't understand why exactly it has to be an odd integer. Are you saying that there will not be p terms on the right hand side something if p is even? You started with p odd prime, does that mean the original question does not work for p = 2?
 P: 530 It's very easy to test. Let a = b + 2*k. I find a2 - b2 = (b+2*k)2 - b2 = 4*k2 + 4*k*b = 4*k*(k+b) 4 = 22, of course. ETA: robert Ihnot's argument will work for p being any integer >= 2.
P: 50
 ETA: robert Ihnot's argument will work for p being any integer >= 2.
Right that's what I thought, which is why I got confused when he said that we only need odd integers.
 P: 153 Forgive me if I am off here, but since we know that p divides a - b, then isn't this question essentially equivalent to stating, by Fermat's Little Theorem: Can... p (mod 2) divide a (mod p) - b (mod p)? p divides n*mod (p) for any n p divides a - b and p (mod 2) , which equals (or is congruent to..) 1, clearly divides a (mod p) - b (mod p) ?
P: 258
 Quote by Raphie Forgive me if I am off here, but since we know that p divides a - b, then isn't this question essentially equivalent to stating, by Fermat's Little Theorem: Can... p (mod 2) divide a (mod p) - b (mod p)? p divides n*mod (p) for any n p divides a - b and p (mod 2) , which equals 1, clearly divides a (mod p) - b (mod p) ?
I don't know exactly what you mean, but I think you're saying that if gcd(a,p)=gcd(b,p)=1, then by fermat

$$a^p\equiv\ a\ mod\ p\text{, and }b^p\equiv\ b\ mod\ p\ ==>\ a^p-b^p\equiv\ a-b\ mod\ p$$

it is always true only if p is prime or a carmichael number
P: 153
 Quote by al-mahed it is always true only if p is prime or a carmichael number
I believe the assumption here is that p is prime. Honestly, however, I was not necessarily thinking in terms of gcd, but, rather, in the case of p being prime, then the above statements ought to cover all cases (i.e. permutations) of how a, b, and p can combine.

If I am not off-base here, one need only think about how p can "interact" with a - b, (a - b)(mod p) = n (mod p) & p(mod 2) can "interact" with a(mod p) - b(mod p).

- RF

P.S. Sorry, but the Latex editor does not work with my computer system.
 P: 258 you can use the identity $$a^p-b^p\equiv (a-b)^P\ mod\ p$$ of coursely if $$p|a-b\ ==>\ a^p-b^p\equiv\ 0\equiv\ (a-b)^P\ mod\ p$$ if $$p \geq 2,\ p|a-b ==> p^2|p^p|(a-b)^p$$ now you can conclude that $$p^2|a^p-b^p$$ with some observation
P: 153
A trivial point, but...
 Quote by al-mahed if $$p \geq 2,\ p|a-b ==> p^2|p^p|(a-b)^p$$
p > or = to 2 is unnecessary to state since all p, by common definition, are > or = to 2.

Thank you, al mahed, for presenting in clear manner that which I was trying to get across in a less clear manner.

- RF
 PF Gold P: 1,059 We know that (a-b)^p ==a^p-b^p Mod p. That is not the same as showing that (a-b)^p ==a^p-b^p Mod p^p, as you are suggesting above. It is not the case that 10^7-3^7 is divisble by 7^7, in fact, 49 is the highest 7 divisor.
P: 153
Hi Robert (see below post),

I realize I completely reversed terms here in rather dyslexic manner and so, in response to your post, and in the interests of not virally spreading misinformation, I am simply replacing what I posted previously with my initial surmise, which I believe was of value.

 Quote by Raphie Forgive me if I am off here, but since we know that p divides a - b, then isn't this question essentially equivalent to stating, by Fermat's Little Theorem: Can... p (mod 2) divide a (mod p) - b (mod p)? p divides n*mod (p) for any n p divides a - b and p (mod 2) , which equals (or is congruent to..) 1, clearly divides a (mod p) - b (mod p)
 PF Gold P: 1,059 p^2 divides p^(a - b), which is congruent to p^a - p^b. By Fermat's Litle Theorm, Modulus p. Fermat's Little Theorem says nothing about modulus P^2.
 P: 4 This is a weird coincidence since i was trying to solve a similar problem which is: Prove that if a ^ p + b ^p = 0 (mod p) then a ^ p + b ^p = 0 (mod p ^ 2) The logic is exactly similar i guess except that p as to be odd & greater than 2. Can somebody please look into & give me clues to solving the problem i posted a couple of days back with the subject line similar to "reduced residues" involving the Euler phi function? I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance, -- Sachin
 P: 153 Edit

 Related Discussions Introductory Physics Homework 0 Calculus & Beyond Homework 14 Introductory Physics Homework 2 Introductory Physics Homework 3