Greatest common divisor proof

In summary, this problem can be solved by factoring a number, if you know the prime factors of the number.
  • #1
knockout_artist
70
2
Hi,
I need opinion about this problem.
==================================================
question :Prove:
If(a,b)= l and if ( "(a,b)=1" mean greatest common divisor of integers and b is 1 )
c|a (c divides a)
and
d|b (d divides b )
then
(c,d)= 1. ( "(c,d)=1" mean greatest common divisor of integers and b is 1 ) <-- this need to be proved.
========================================
(Is that following a good proof ?)
========================================
Then there are 2 sets A and B.
divisors of a ∈ A <-- do this need be proved too?
divisors of b ∈ B

A ∩ B = 1

since
c ⊂ A
d ⊂ B

c ∩ b = 1 which is what we are looking for.
===========================================

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
You are correct when you say you can consider the sets ##A,B## containing the divisors of ##a##, resp. ##b##. You don't need to prove that. You know that such a set always exists.

However, when you write ##A \cap B = 1##, this is bad notation. You either write ##A \cap B = \{1\}## or ##|A \cap B | = 1##. I don't know what exactly you mean by this, but either way you must explain why this is true.

You also wrote ##c \cap d = 1## which doesn't make sense as ##c,d## are elements and not sets.
 
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  • #3
Then there are 2 sets A and B.
divisors of a ∈ A
divisors of b ∈ B

A ∩ B = {1} <-- this is just restating the fact that 'a' and 'b' has only gcd which is "1" I am trying to say the divisor set A and divisor set be B has only one common element with is "1"c ∈ A <--because 'c' divide 'a' that means its part of 'A' set of all the divisor of a
d ∈ B < -- same reason as above

if
C ={ all the divisor of c }
D ={ all the divisor of d }

C ⊂ A because a is one of the multiples of c. is this need to proved ?
D ⊂ B same reason as above.

we know A ∩ B = {1}
since C ⊂ A and D ⊂ B

C ∩ D ={1}
Which means the only common divisor of c and d is '1'
 
  • #4
knockout_artist said:
C ⊂ A because a is one of the multiples of c. is this need to proved ?
You can prove it, but I guess your course did that earlier already - it is one of the basic features of divisibility.
 
  • #5
So I have proved it properly ?
Please tell.

Thank you.
 
  • #6
I'm not the person grading your homework. I think it is okay, but I cannot know if the person grading your homework wants to see more steps in between.

I moved the thread to our homework section, by the way.
 
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  • #7
mfb said:
I'm not the person grading your homework. I think it is okay, but I cannot know if the person grading your homework wants to see more steps in between.

I moved the thread to our homework section, by the way.

Its not home work, I am judging my self before taking a analysis course. That will be my first ever math course.
This problem is from the book I will be using.
That is why I was keen to know.
Thank you.
 
  • #8
i would just show directly that if x divides both c and d, then x also divides both a and b, hence x = ±1.
 
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  • #9
knockout_artist said:
This problem is from the book I will be using.

Curious - what's the name/author of the book?
 
  • #10
UsableThought said:
Curious - what's the name/author of the book?

Introduction to Analytic Number Theory
by Tom M. Apostol
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0387901639/?tag=pfamazon01-20BTW, what I posted is not how this book deals with things.
I once read a book, a few chapters, "introduction to topology".
So I remembered some set language.

In t Apostol's book I have read only few pages, I tried this problem from Apostol's book because It looked like it could have been done, before reading stuff from the book.
 
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1. What is the definition of greatest common divisor (GCD)?

The greatest common divisor (GCD) of two or more integers is the largest positive integer that divides evenly into all of the given numbers. In other words, it is the largest number that is a common factor of the given numbers.

2. Why is it important to prove the GCD of two numbers?

Proving the GCD of two numbers is important because it allows us to confirm the correctness of our calculations and find the highest possible common factor of the given numbers. This can be useful in simplifying fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and solving problems in number theory and algebra.

3. What are the steps for proving the GCD of two numbers?

The following are the steps for proving the GCD of two numbers:
1. List all the factors of each number.
2. Identify the common factors of both numbers.
3. Determine the largest common factor, which is the GCD.
4. Show that the GCD is a factor of both numbers.
5. If necessary, use the Euclidean algorithm to find the GCD.

4. Can the GCD of two numbers be greater than the smaller number?

Yes, the GCD of two numbers can be greater than the smaller number. For example, the GCD of 12 and 18 is 6, which is greater than 12. This is because the GCD is the largest common factor of the two numbers, not necessarily the larger of the two numbers.

5. How is the GCD used in real-life situations?

The GCD is used in various real-life situations, such as:
- Simplifying fractions: The GCD can be used to reduce fractions to their lowest terms.
- Finding equivalent fractions: The GCD can be used to find equivalent fractions by dividing both the numerator and denominator by the GCD.
- Solving problems in number theory and algebra: The GCD is a useful tool in solving problems involving prime numbers, factors, and equations with multiple variables.

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