Gcd(a, b, c) = gcd(gcd(a,b), c)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the equality gcd(a, b, c) = gcd(gcd(a, b), c). Participants emphasize the necessity of demonstrating that the sets {a, b, c} and {gcd(a, b), c} share identical divisors. A recommended approach involves using prime factorizations of a, b, and c, expressed as a=∏ipαi, b=∏ipβi, and c=∏ipγi, leading to the conclusion that both gcd(a, b, c) and gcd(gcd(a, b), c) yield the same minimum values across their prime factors.

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ashwinb
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Help please!
I basically have to prove that gcd(a, b, c) = gcd(gcd(a,b), c).
So I know that if I just need to prove that the sets {a, b, c} and {gcd(a,b), c} have the same sets of divisors.
 
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welcome to pf!

hi ashwinb! welcome to pf! :wink:
ashwinb said:
gcd(a, b, c) = gcd(gcd(a,b), c)

you usually do this sort of thing by proving separately:
i] gcd(a, b, c) ≤ gcd(gcd(a,b), c)
ii] gcd(a, b, c) ≥ gcd(gcd(a,b), c)

how far have you got? :smile:
 
A straightforward way of proving this is to use the prime factorizations of a, b, and c, that is, write a=∏ipαi, b=∏ipβi, and c=∏ipγi. Then gcd(a,b,c)=∏ipmin(αiii). Likewise, gcd(gcd(a,b),c)=∏ipmin(min(αii),γi). These are equal since min(αiii)=min(min(αii),γi).
 

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