Number theory - gcd and linear diophantine equations

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 3K views
reb659
Messages
64
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Suppose that gcd(a, b) = 1 with a, b > 0, and let x0, y0 be any integer solution to the equation ax + by = c. Find a necessary and sufficient condition, possibly depending on a, b, c, x0, y0 that the equation have a solution with x > 0 and y > 0.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I'm pretty lost. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, if one of [tex]x_0[/tex] or [tex]y_0[/tex] is negative, then you have to look for another solution [tex](x_1, y_1)[/tex] with [tex]x_1, y_1 > 0[/tex]. By subtracting equations, you get [tex]a(x_1 - x_0) + b(y_1 - y_0) = 0[/tex]. Can you see why this equation implies that [tex]x_1 - x_0 = kb[/tex] and [tex]y_1 - y_0 = -ka[/tex] for some integer [tex]k[/tex]? Once you do, your problem is reduced to a search for a value of [tex]k[/tex] such that [tex]x_0 + kb > 0[/tex] and [tex]y_0 - ka > 0[/tex]. You should be able to take it from here.