Diophantine Equation(Example Run-Through)

  • Thread starter PolyFX
  • Start date
In summary, the Extended Euclidean Algorithm is used to find solutions for Diophantine Equations. This involves using the Euclidean Algorithm to find the greatest common divisor (gcd) of the given numbers, and then using back substitution to find values for x and y that satisfy the equation. The process involves dividing by the gcd and substituting equations to simplify the expression until a solution is reached.
  • #1
PolyFX
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Extended Euclidean Algorithm(Example Run-Through)

Homework Statement


I need help tracing through an example of Diophantine Equations.

The question:

Find integers x and y such that 37x + 29y = 1.


Homework Equations


The use of Euclidean Algorithm is required.

The Attempt at a Solution



Here is the solution provided by the text:

gcd(29, 37) 37 = 1 · 29 + 8 ==> 8 = 37 − 1 · 29
gcd(29, 8) 29 = 3 · 8 + 5 ==> 5 = 29 − 3 · 8
gcd(8, 5) 8 = 1 · 5 + 3 ==> 3 = 8 − 1 · 5
gcd(5, 3) 5 = 1 · 3 + 2 ==> 2 = 5 − 1 · 3
gcd(3, 2) 3 = 1 · 2 + 1 ==> 1 = 3 − 1 · 2

*I understand this part requires the use of the euclidean algorithm and rearranging the equations to isolate the remainder. *

Cont'd

Now go backwards
1 = 3 − 1 · 2
= 3 − 1 · (5 − 1 · 3) = 2 · 3 − 5
= 2(8 − 1 · 5) − 5 = 2 · 8 − 3 · 5
= 2 · 8 − 3(29 − 3 · 8) = −3 · 29 + 11 · 8
= −3 · 29 + 11(37 − 1 · 29)
= 11 · 37 − 14 · 29


This is the part that I do not understand. So you are going backwords and subsituting the appropriate equations for the numbers.

I understand that you are subbing in 5-1·3 for 2 on the second line. However, how did they simplify 3 − 1 · (5 − 1 · 3) into 2 · 3 − 5? Furthermore, I do not understand how to get any of the "simplified" equations

This is probably a very easy question but I just can't figure it out.


Edit* I've renamed the thread title as I believe it is the concept of the "Extended Euclidean Algorithm" that I need assistance with.
 
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  • #2
PolyFX said:

Homework Statement


I need help tracing through an example of Diophantine Equations.

The question:

Find integers x and y such that 37x + 29y = 1.


Homework Equations


The use of Euclidean Algorithm is required.

The Attempt at a Solution



Here is the solution provided by the text:

gcd(29, 37) 37 = 1 · 29 + 8 ==> 8 = 37 − 1 · 29
gcd(29, 8) 29 = 3 · 8 + 5 ==> 5 = 29 − 3 · 8
gcd(8, 5) 8 = 1 · 5 + 3 ==> 3 = 8 − 1 · 5
gcd(5, 3) 5 = 1 · 3 + 2 ==> 2 = 5 − 1 · 3
gcd(3, 2) 3 = 1 · 2 + 1 ==> 1 = 3 − 1 · 2

*I understand this part requires the use of the euclidean algorithm and rearranging the equations to isolate the remainder. *

Cont'd

Now go backwards
1 = 3 − 1 · 2
= 3 − 1 · (5 − 1 · 3) = 2 · 3 − 5
= 2(8 − 1 · 5) − 5 = 2 · 8 − 3 · 5
= 2 · 8 − 3(29 − 3 · 8) = −3 · 29 + 11 · 8
= −3 · 29 + 11(37 − 1 · 29)
= 11 · 37 − 14 · 29


This is the part that I do not understand. So you are going backwords and subsituting the appropriate equations for the numbers.

I understand that you are subbing in 5-1·3 for 2 on the second line. However, how did they simplify 3 − 1 · (5 − 1 · 3) into 2 · 3 − 5? Furthermore, I do not understand how to get any of the "simplified" equations

This is probably a very easy question but I just can't figure it out.


you need to divide by the gcd respectively to get all the solutions
 
  • #3
Hi icystrike,

I'm not sure what you mean.

After getting all the equations you just continue to use back substitution, right?

I'm having trouble simplifying the expression after using back substitution.

For example in the text
gcd(330,156):
330 = 156 * 2 + 18 which implies 18 = 330 - 156 *2
156 = 18 * 8 + 12 which implies 12 = 156 - 18 * 8
18 = 12 * 1 + 6 which implies 6 = 18 - 12 * 1
12 = 6 * 2 + 0 which implies that gcd(330,156) = 6


By Back Substitution

6 = 18 - 12 * 1
=18 - ( 156 - 8 * 18) * 1 ==> Substituting 156-18*8 for 12
=9 * 18 + (-1) * 156

That last line is where I get stuck. How have they gone from 18 - ( 156 - 8 * 18) * 1 to 9 * 18 + (-1) * 156. In the book it labels the step as "By Algebra" but I'm just not seeing it right now.
 
  • #4
x=11+(b/d)t
Such that d is gcd:
x=11+29t

y=-14(a/d)t
y=-14-37t

You can probably change the -14 in the expression of y to positive value if you want to..
 

1. What is a Diophantine Equation?

A Diophantine Equation is an algebraic equation in which only integer solutions are accepted. In other words, the solutions to the equation must be whole numbers.

2. Who is Diophantus and why is the equation named after him?

Diophantus was a Greek mathematician who lived in the 3rd century AD. He is known as the "father of algebra" and is credited with developing the study of Diophantine Equations. The equations are named after him as a way to honor his contributions to mathematics.

3. Can you provide an example of a Diophantine Equation?

One example of a Diophantine Equation is: 3x + 4y = 8. This equation only has integer solutions, such as x = 2 and y = 1, making it a Diophantine Equation.

4. What is the significance of Diophantine Equations in mathematics?

Diophantine Equations have been studied for centuries and have been used to solve a variety of real-world problems, such as finding the integer solutions to a system of equations. They have also been an important tool in number theory and have contributed to the development of abstract algebra.

5. Are all Diophantine Equations solvable?

No, not all Diophantine Equations are solvable. Some equations have no integer solutions, while others may have an infinite number of solutions. The solvability of a Diophantine Equation depends on the specific equation and its coefficients.

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