Inclusion-exclusion positive integers

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on using the principle of inclusion-exclusion to determine the number of positive integers not exceeding n, where n is the product of two prime numbers p and q. The solution involves calculating the total integers up to n, subtracting the multiples of p and q, and adding back the integers that are multiples of both p and q. The key formula derived is n = pq - |pi U qi|, where |pi U qi| represents the union of the sets of multiples of p and q.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of prime numbers and their properties
  • Familiarity with the principle of inclusion-exclusion
  • Basic knowledge of set theory
  • Ability to perform floor functions in mathematical expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principle of inclusion-exclusion in combinatorics
  • Learn how to calculate Euler's Totient Function for prime products
  • Explore advanced topics in number theory related to prime factorization
  • Practice problems involving counting integers with specific properties
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Students in mathematics, particularly those studying number theory, educators teaching combinatorial methods, and anyone interested in the application of inclusion-exclusion in counting problems.

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Homework Statement



Suppose that p and q are prime numbers and that n = pq. Use the principle of inclusion-exclusion to find the number of positive integers not exceeding n that are relatively prime to n.

Homework Equations



Inclusion-Exclusion


The Attempt at a Solution



The way I see it, n = pq is contained in a set of all the prime numbers from 1 to pq, plus the multiples that are not prime. So:

n = pq - |pi U qi|

I'm not exactly sure where to go from here, though. Any help is appreciated.
 
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changeofplans said:

Homework Statement



Suppose that p and q are prime numbers and that n = pq. Use the principle of inclusion-exclusion to find the number of positive integers not exceeding n that are relatively prime to n.

Homework Equations



Inclusion-Exclusion


The Attempt at a Solution



The way I see it, n = pq is contained in a set of all the prime numbers from 1 to pq, plus the multiples that are not prime. So:

n = pq - |pi U qi|

I'm not exactly sure where to go from here, though. Any help is appreciated.
How many multiples of p are less than n ? ...
 
Would it be the floor of \frac{pq}{p}? And then the number of multiples of q less than n would be the floor of \frac{pq}{q}.

If that's the case, I think I see what I'm supposed to do; add up the primes in p, and add up the primes in q. Because they're not mutually exclusive, we then need to take out the primes shared by both p and q.

Any ideas on how to do that? Am I missing something?
 

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