GCD of a and b Prime and Odd: 1 or p?

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In summary, we can show that if a and b are positive integers with a greatest common divisor of 1, and p is an odd prime, then the greatest common divisor of a+b and (a^p+b^p)/(a+b) is either 1 or p. This is shown by considering the divisors of (a+b) and (a^p+b^p)/(a+b) and using the fact that d divides p if and only if d divides a (since the greatest common divisor of a and p is 1).
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elimqiu
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Show that if [itex]a,b\in\mathbb{N}^+,\ \gcd(a,b) = 1[/itex] and [itex]p[/itex] is an odd prime,
then [itex]\gcd\left(a+b,\frac{a^p+b^p}{a+b}\right)\in \{1,p\}[/itex]
 
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Suppose [itex]1\le d \mid \gcd(a+b,\frac{a^p+b^p}{a+b})[/itex], then we have the following

[itex]1\le d \mid a+b\implies b \equiv -a\ (\text{mod }d)\implies \sum_{k=0}^{p-1}(-1)^k a^{p-1-k}b^k \equiv pa^{p-1}(\text{mod }d)[/itex]

[itex]\frac{a^p+b^p}{a+b} \equiv pa^{p-1}(\text{mod }d)[/itex]. Now since [itex]\gcd(d,a)=1[/itex], this means that [itex]d \mid p[/itex]
 

1. What is the GCD of two prime numbers?

The GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) of two prime numbers a and b will always be 1, since prime numbers only have 1 and themselves as factors.

2. Can the GCD of two odd numbers be prime?

Yes, the GCD of two odd numbers can be prime. For example, the GCD of 9 and 15 is 3, which is a prime number.

3. Is the GCD of a and b always odd if both numbers are odd?

No, the GCD of two odd numbers can be either odd or even. For example, the GCD of 9 and 15 is 3, which is odd, but the GCD of 15 and 21 is 3, which is even.

4. What is the GCD of a and b if one of the numbers is prime?

If one of the numbers is prime and the other is not a multiple of that prime number, then the GCD will be 1. For example, the GCD of 9 and 5 is 1.

5. Can the GCD of a and b be larger than the smaller of the two numbers?

Yes, the GCD of two numbers can be larger than the smaller of the two numbers. For example, the GCD of 12 and 8 is 4, which is larger than 8.

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