How to Prove the Divisibility Property Theorem?

annoymage
Messages
360
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



proof the theorem

if a l b and b l a then a=+-b

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



there exist integer p,q such that ap=b and bq=a, then I've no idea how i can relate it to a=+-b.. clue please T_T
 
Physics news on Phys.org
annoymage said:
there exist integer p,q such that ap=b and bq=a, then I've no idea how i can relate it to a=+-b.. clue please T_T

ap = b = (\frac{a}{q})

Multiply by q and divide be a (since b|a <--> a is not 0), giving us:

pq = 1

Do you follow?
 
yea yah, i thought that too, but don't know to continue from there too, owhoho, more clue please, ;P
 
wait, let me think first
 
annoymage said:

Homework Statement



proof the theorem

if a l b and b l a then a=+-b

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



there exist integer p,q such that ap=b and bq=a, then I've no idea how i can relate it to a=+-b.. clue please T_T

So b = pa and a = qb, for some integers p and q.
Then b = pa = p(qb) = (pq)b.

What can you say about pq?
 
Remember, p and q are both nonzero integers.
 
hmm, so pq=1 , hence, p=1 and q=1, hence a=b and b=a, still cannot get +-b, T_T
 
WAIIITTTT (-1)(-1) also equal 1, wait wait let me think again
 
so i get

a=b or (a=-b and b=-a)

=> (a=b or a=-b) and (a=b or b=-a)

(a=b or a=-b) is enough to verify it right?
 
  • #10
Yep, though technically you're proving, not verifying. "Proving" is a stronger word...makes you sound "smarter/cooler" :P!
 
  • #11
owho, thankyou very much
 
Back
Top