Simple Division Proof: 15|n iff 5|n and 3|n

  • Thread starter Thread starter Syrus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Division Proof
Syrus
Messages
213
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement




Prove that for every integer n, 15|n iff 5|n and 3|n.

I have proven the "if" direction. My question regards the "only if" portion of the proof.
So far I have:

(<--) Suppose 5|n and 3|n. Then there are j,k ∈ Z for which n = 5j and n = 3k.

*above, Z stands for the set of integers

I have found that both (j + k)/8 and (j - k)/2 seem to provide the desired value to show that 15|n, however I am not entirely sure how to show that either of these values is an integer (as is required by the definition of "divides"). I assume I am not proposing a clever enough value (or form) for the divisor. Any advice on this?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Heh heh, stupid me. It looks like a better form of the desired value is 2k - j, which of course an integer. The proof of the "only if" direction then goes:

(<---) Suppose 3|n and 5|n. Then there are j,k ∈ Z for which n = 5j and n = 3k. Note, then, that (2j - k) ∈ Z and also:
(15)(2j - k) = (30j - 15k) = (6)(5j) - (5)(3k) = 6n - 5n = n.

=)
 
Last edited:
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top