How Does the Cancellation Property Prove Divisibility in Z?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the cancellation property in the integers, specifically the statement: for all integers \( c \neq 0 \) and \( a, b \in \mathbb{Z} \), \( a | b \) if and only if \( c a | c b \). The user clarifies that if \( c a | c b \), it implies \( a | b \) by applying the cancellation property, allowing the removal of \( c \) from both sides of the equation. The proof structure presented is valid, demonstrating the equivalence through logical steps, although it requires a more formal articulation of the cancellation property.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of divisibility in integers (e.g., \( a | b \) notation)
  • Familiarity with the cancellation property in algebra
  • Basic proof techniques, including if and only if (iff) proofs
  • Knowledge of integer properties and operations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study formal proofs involving the cancellation property in algebraic structures
  • Explore the implications of divisibility in number theory
  • Learn about equivalence relations and their properties in mathematics
  • Investigate the role of zero in divisibility and cancellation properties
USEFUL FOR

Students of abstract algebra, mathematicians interested in number theory, and anyone studying properties of integers and divisibility proofs.

mikky05v
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Homework Statement


this is the original question
prove: [itex]\forall[/itex] c [itex]\in[/itex] Z, a≠ 0 and b both [itex]\in[/itex] Z$
a|b ⇔ c*a|c*b

Then he corrected himself by saying for problem 1: to show that ca | cb implies a | b ... you must assume c NOT = 0 and invoke "Cancellation Property" of Z.

This kind of confused me but i think I get what he means

The attempt at a solution

so I understand that If you have that ca | cb that's like saying that ac=cbq for some q∈ℤ so, if c≠0 you can just take out those c in the both sides of the expression(because of "Cancellation Property" as he said) and you got left a=bq which means that a|b

my problem is how do I translate this into a formal proof if and only if proof.
 
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ok so this is what I've got
Prove: ∀c∈Z, c≠0 and b both∈Z a|b⇔ca|cb
a|b if and only if b=ak for some k∈Z
if and only if cb=cak for some c∈Z
if and only if ac|cb

Is this a valid proof? It seems kind of short and it's lacking the "cancelation property" but I'm not sure I understand how to write it any other way
 

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