Elements of the set {6a + 2b} where a and b....

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The discussion centers on the set representation of linear combinations of integers in the form {6a + 2b} where a and b are integers. Participants confirm that 6ℤ + 2ℤ results in 2ℤ, indicating that all even integers can be expressed in this form. The conversation also explores other combinations, such as 6ℤ + 3ℤ yielding 3ℤ and 6ℤ + 5ℤ resulting in ℤ, demonstrating the relationship between the coefficients and the resulting set of integers. The greatest common divisor (GCD) is identified as the key factor in determining the multiples represented by such combinations.

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  • #31
I just want to say I would do this entirely differently. First, ##6a +2b## is an even integer. So, the set is a subset of the even integers. To show that it is all even integers, we take any even integer ##2k## and this is in our set with ##a = 0## and ##b = k##.

Is that not the obvious approach here?
 
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  • #32
PeroK said:
Is that not the obvious approach here?
This depends on whether you want to emphasize on:
$$a\mathbb{Z}+b\mathbb{Z} \subseteq d\mathbb{Z} \subseteq a\mathbb{Z}+b\mathbb{Z} \Longrightarrow a\mathbb{Z}+b\mathbb{Z} =d\mathbb{Z}$$
or on the fact that ##\mathbb{Z}## is a principle ideal domain with
$$
a\mathbb{Z}+b\mathbb{Z} =\operatorname{gcd}(a,b)\mathbb{Z} \quad\text{ and }\quad a\mathbb{Z}\cap b\mathbb{Z} =\operatorname{lcm}(a,b)\mathbb{Z}
$$

However, as always in real life, the truth originates in a completely different post. It was an example of how ##\{2x\in \mathbb{Z}\,|\,|x|\leq 5\}## could be written better than it was in an OP. @Math100 took this as a template to write equations of sets. Your approach needs a different template to make it written properly because it partly specifies the coefficients which are arbitrary at the beginning. I tried to avoid confusion and pointed out the gcd, not the equality of sets.
 
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