MHB How Does Modular Arithmetic Simplify Integer Divisibility Proofs?

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Modular arithmetic simplifies integer divisibility proofs by establishing clear relationships between integers. The discussion highlights three key properties of divisibility: if an integer a divides both b and c, then it divides their sum; if a divides b and also divides the product bc for all integers c; and if a divides b and b divides c, then a divides c. A proposed proof for the third property uses the definitions of divisibility to show that if a divides b and b divides c, then c can be expressed as a multiple of a. This approach effectively demonstrates the transitive nature of divisibility.
shamieh
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Let $a$, $b$, and $c$ be integers, where a $\ne$ 0. Then
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(i) if $a$ | $b$ and $a$ | $c$, then $a$ | ($b+c$)
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(ii) if $a$ | $b$ and $a$|$bc$ for all integers $c$;
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(iii) if $a$ |$b$ and $b$|$c$, then $a$|$c$.

**Prove that if $a$|$b$ and $b$|$c$ then $a$|$c$ using a column proof that has steps in the first column
and the reason for the step in the second column.**

Here is what I was thinking.. Would this be sufficient enough?$(iii)\ \ \ \dfrac{b}a,\,\dfrac{c}b\in\Bbb Z\ \Rightarrow\ \dfrac{b}a\dfrac{c}b = \dfrac{c}a\in\Bbb Z$
 
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I think I would state (where $k_i\in\mathbb{Z}$):

(iii) $$a|b\implies b=k_1a\,\land\,b|c\implies c=k_2b=k_1k_2a=k_3a\,\therefore\,a|c$$
 
Seemingly by some mathematical coincidence, a hexagon of sides 2,2,7,7, 11, and 11 can be inscribed in a circle of radius 7. The other day I saw a math problem on line, which they said came from a Polish Olympiad, where you compute the length x of the 3rd side which is the same as the radius, so that the sides of length 2,x, and 11 are inscribed on the arc of a semi-circle. The law of cosines applied twice gives the answer for x of exactly 7, but the arithmetic is so complex that the...

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