What Steps Can Solve This Modular Arithmetic Proof?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a modular arithmetic proof, specifically addressing the properties of modular addition. Participants are examining the relationships between remainders when adding two numbers and how these relate to modular equivalence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to use the division algorithm to express numbers in terms of their quotients and remainders. They are questioning how to manipulate these expressions to arrive at a proof. Some participants are exploring the implications of rearranging equations and the definitions of modular equivalence.

Discussion Status

There is active engagement with various interpretations of the modular arithmetic properties. Some participants have provided guidance on rearranging equations, while others express confusion about the definitions and implications of their findings. The discussion is ongoing, with no clear consensus yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the complexity of the proof and the significance of certain equations. There is mention of imposed homework constraints and the challenge of understanding the underlying concepts of modular arithmetic.

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Homework Statement



Question 1.

http://people.math.carleton.ca/~mezo/A2math1102-11.pdf

Homework Equations



r1 = a modn
r2 = b modn
r = (a+b) modn

The Attempt at a Solution

I used the division algorithm

So:

a = (q1)n + r1
b = (q2)n + r2
(a+b) = (q3)n + r

i isolated for r1 and r2 to get more equations

r1 = a - (q1)n
r2 = b - (q2)n
r = (a+b) - (q3)n

r1+r2 = (a+b) -n(q1+q2)

I then added a and b together to get the following:

a+b = r1+r2 + n(q1+q2)

After that, i`m completely lost.

This is for question 1 by the way. I've been toying around with this question for 15 hours and i still can't do anything with it. I thought i proved it before but then i realized it wasn't a proof. Please help. I'm dying.
Also another thing that I'm having trouble with is 3. I don't understand why it's worth 10 marks. All i see is me setting equation 1 and 2 equal to each other. I don't understand what's so special about that.
 
Last edited:
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kramer733 said:

Homework Statement



Question 1.

http://people.math.carleton.ca/~mezo/A2math1102-11.pdf

Homework Equations



r1 = a modn
r2 = b modn
r = (a+b) modn



The Attempt at a Solution




I used the division algorithm

So:

a = (q1)n + r1
b = (q2)n + r2
(a+b) = (q3)n + r

Substitute a and b from the first and second equation in the third equation. What do you get??



i isolated for r1 and r2 to get more equations

r1 = a - (q1)n
r2 = b - (q2)n
r = (a+b) - (q3)n

r1+r2 = (a+b) -n(q1+q2)

I then added a and b together to get the following:

a+b = r1+r2 + n(q1+q2)

After that, i`m completely lost.

This is for question 1 by the way. I've been toying around with this question for 15 hours and i still can't do anything with it. I thought i proved it before but then i realized it wasn't a proof. Please help. I'm dying.
 
(q1)n+(q2)n + r1 + r2 = (q3)n+r

Is this what you meant?
 
kramer733 said:
(q1)n+(q2)n + r1 + r2 = (q3)n+r

Is this what you meant?

Yes, that is good. Now rearrange a bit and you got the proof!
 
micromass said:
Yes, that is good. Now rearrange a bit and you got the proof!

I don't think it's that obvious to me. To be honest, I've already tried doing that and I'm not sure but maybe i don't truly know how mods truly work. if i isolated for r1 + r2, then i'd get the following:

r1 + r2 = n(q3 - q2 - q1) + r

r1 = amodn
r2 = bmodn
r = (a+b)modn

I'm not exactly sure how it works i guess. Could you help me? It'd be greatly appreciated.
 
Well, a=b (mod n) if there is a q such that qn=a-b. Agreed??

Well, you've shown now that r1 + r2 - r = n(q3 - q2 - q1). Doesn't this prove it?
 
micromass said:
Well, a=b (mod n) if there is a q such that qn=a-b. Agreed??

Well, you've shown now that r1 + r2 - r = n(q3 - q2 - q1). Doesn't this prove it?

To be honest, i don't really understand why a=b (mod n) if there is a q such that qn = a-b"

Where'd that come from? Could you explain please? I'm sorry but it's really just not that obvious to me.
 
kramer733 said:
To be honest, i don't really understand why a=b (mod n) if there is a q such that qn = a-b"

Where'd that come from? Could you explain please? I'm sorry but it's really just not that obvious to me.

What is the definition of a=b (mod n) ?
 
micromass said:
What is the definition of a=b (mod n) ?

a = q1n + a

You mean that?
 
  • #10
kramer733 said:
a = q1n + a

You mean that?

Don't you mean a=q_1 n+b??

Well, that's the same thing I posted, no?? Just rearrange, and you get a-b=qn...
 
  • #11
micromass said:
Don't you mean a=q_1 n+b??

Well, that's the same thing I posted, no?? Just rearrange, and you get a-b=qn...

Actually i don't know but i think i posted it wrong. shouldn't it be ,

b = qn + a, a = bmodn. That's how our professor wrote it in the form as atleast. Now I'm confused.I also really don't see how r1 + r2 - r = n(q3 - q2 - q1) proves it. Like I just don't see what this result means in relation to a-b=qn. Like it's telling us to prove (a+b)modn = (amodn+bmodn)modn. I'm just not seeing the connection
 
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