Expressing gcd of two polynomials as a linear combination

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the greatest common divisor (gcd) of the polynomials x^3+x^2-x and x^5+x^4+2x^2-x-1, which is determined to be 1, indicating that the polynomials are coprime. Participants share their attempts at expressing the gcd as a linear combination of the two polynomials. They provide steps involving polynomial long division and back substitution to derive the linear combination that equals 1. Despite the correct division process, there is difficulty in fully articulating the gcd as a linear combination. The conversation emphasizes the challenge of expressing the result while confirming the coprimality of the polynomials.
bonfire09
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Homework Statement



Find the ##gcd(x^3+x^2-x, x^5+x^4+2x^2-x-1) ##and write it as a linear combination.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I know the ##gcd(x^3+x^2-x, x^5+x^4+2x^2-x-1)=1## What I have so far is ##1. x^5+x^4+2x^2-x-1=(x^3+x^2-x)(x^2+1)+(x^2-1)## ##2. x^3+x^2-x=(x^2-1)(x+1)+1 ##. I tried back substituting but it can't seem to work. The division is correct.
 
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You have the gcd as 1? What does that tell you about what factors these polynomials have in common?
 
Just 1 but I am having trouble writing the gcd as a linear combination of the two given polynomials to equal 1.
 
bonfire09 said:
Just 1 but I am having trouble writing the gcd as a linear combination of the two given polynomials to equal 1.

Yeah, so they're coprime.

You have <br /> <br /> x^5+x^4+2x^2-x-1 =(x^2 + 1)(x^3+x^2-x) +(x^2 -1)<br />
<br /> x^3 + x^2 - x = (x+1)(x^2-1) + 1

back subbing you'd get <br /> <br /> x^3 + x^2 -x -(x+1)(x^2-1) = 1<br />
<br /> x^5 + x^4 + 2x^2 -x -1 -(x^2+1)(x^3+x^2-x) = x^2-1<br />
<br /> x^3+x^2-x -(x+1)[x^5+x^4+2x^2 -x -1 -(x^2+1)(x^3+x^2-x)] = 1<br /> <br />

Does this help? I can't think of a good way to point you in the right direction without giving the soultion.
 
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