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math help :(

Blogs > Mr.Maestro
Post a Reply
Mr.Maestro
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
42 Posts
October 25 2009 05:34 GMT
#1
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance




PokePill
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States1048 Posts
October 25 2009 05:36 GMT
#2
On October 25 2009 14:34 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance



plz red the forum rules, ill let u off with ust a warning dont let it happen again
BluzMan
Profile Blog Joined April 2006
Russian Federation4235 Posts
October 25 2009 05:38 GMT
#3
On October 25 2009 14:36 PokePill wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 25 2009 14:34 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance



plz red the forum rules, ill let u off with ust a warning dont let it happen again

Please read the forum rules, I'll let you off with just a warning for now, but don't let it happen again/
You want 20 good men, but you need a bad pussy.
illu
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2531 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-25 05:41:44
October 25 2009 05:41 GMT
#4
Write a and b in unique factorization, and the proof is obvious. Basically you cannot get new factors by squaring.
:]
ShoCkeyy
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
7815 Posts
October 25 2009 05:44 GMT
#5
On October 25 2009 14:36 PokePill wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 25 2009 14:34 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance



plz red the forum rules, ill let u off with ust a warning dont let it happen again


He didn't ask us to do his homework. He was just asking for help. At least he is actually trying to do it. Another thing, you're not staff.
Life?
Mr.Maestro
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
42 Posts
October 25 2009 05:47 GMT
#6
On October 25 2009 14:36 PokePill wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 25 2009 14:34 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance



plz red the forum rules, ill let u off with ust a warning dont let it happen again



How am i violating the forum rules? I posted a homework question and i made a sincere effort of my own to attempt to solve it. I'm just asking for some clarification on how I should carry out a step in my solution. How is that wrong?
DivinO
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States4796 Posts
October 25 2009 06:02 GMT
#7
On October 25 2009 14:47 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 25 2009 14:36 PokePill wrote:
On October 25 2009 14:34 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance



plz red the forum rules, ill let u off with ust a warning dont let it happen again



How am i violating the forum rules? I posted a homework question and i made a sincere effort of my own to attempt to solve it. I'm just asking for some clarification on how I should carry out a step in my solution. How is that wrong?


You aren't. Don't worry. PokePill is not an admin here.

What is the definition of a|b? Which math is this? I may be able to help you if I know which math this is, haha.
LiquipediaBrain in my filth.
Omni
Profile Joined May 2009
United States72 Posts
October 25 2009 06:05 GMT
#8
As illu said, all you gotta do is write the unique factorizations of a and b, and notice that squaring doesn't add different prime factors.
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19372 Posts
October 25 2009 06:05 GMT
#9
Take the 3rd derivative.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
calvinL
Profile Joined October 2007
Canada416 Posts
October 25 2009 06:07 GMT
#10
its algebra, a divides b

sorry though, don't really remember it too much right now
KonekoTyriin
Profile Joined March 2008
United States60 Posts
October 25 2009 06:24 GMT
#11
One approach is to divide by a^2 and take the square root. Then sqrt(m) = b/a, b and a both integers.

What do you know about the relationship between square roots and rational numbers?
...though, perhaps this hasn't come up in your class yet. Sorry if that's the case.
THIS COURAGE OF MINE BURNS WITH AN AWESOME COURAGE
Day[9]
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
United States7366 Posts
October 25 2009 06:25 GMT
#12
prime factorizationnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Whenever I encounter some little hitch, or some of my orbs get out of orbit, nothing pleases me so much as to make the crooked straight and crush down uneven places. www.day9.tv
Kentor *
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States5784 Posts
October 25 2009 06:28 GMT
#13
On October 25 2009 15:25 Day[9] wrote:
prime factorizationnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

math gosu
igotmyown
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States4291 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-25 06:54:01
October 25 2009 06:29 GMT
#14
How directly can you use prime factorization?

The minimal solution I could find was for primes p
Use p|bc => p|b or p|c if you can (except I can't prove this without directly applying prime factorization...)
Consider minimal elements p[i] s.t. p[i] | a, but ! p[i] | b and there is no p[j] s.t. p[j] | p[i] (use well-ordered principle, basically establishing prime divisors)
p[i]^2 | b*b => p[i] | b*b => p[i] | b, contradiction.

Maybe there's a horrible way to do this by applying WOP to avoid prime factorization.
monkxly
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Canada241 Posts
October 25 2009 07:00 GMT
#15
as above but in more colloquial terms:

assume a^2 | b^2, suppose a does not divide b, (a|/b). a^2 = b * b * m for some integer m. Therefore a^2 | b => a*a | b. Therefore using prime factorization, either a divides b or a divides b. contradiction since we assumed a|/ b. therefore a^2 | b^2 = > a|b
get a spire
igotmyown
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States4291 Posts
October 25 2009 07:45 GMT
#16
Recheck your notation and your argument...

evanthebouncy!
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
United States12796 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-25 08:46:31
October 25 2009 08:38 GMT
#17
On October 25 2009 14:34 Mr.Maestro wrote:
Show that for all positive integers a and b, we have a|b if and only if a^2|b^2:

Proof:
(1) a|b => a^2|b^2
since a|b, there exists integer k such that
b = a*k, squaring both sides:
b^2 = a^2 * k^2 , since k^2 is an integer, therefore a^2|b^2.

(2) a^2|b^2 => a|b
since a^2|b^2, there exists integer m such that
b^2 = a^2 * m ....

This is where I'm stuck, i have to show a^2|b^2 implies a|b. From the equation above, i can square root both sides, but "m" doesn't necessarily yield an integer value... does anyone have any suggestion on how i should tackle this step?

thanks in advance




Let's try contrapositive

a^2 | b^2 => a | b
is the same as
a not | b => a^2 not | b^2

if a does not divide b, we can apply the division algorithm, saying b = quotient * divisor + remainder,
or
b = p*a + r where p can be anything and r =/= 0, r < a (1)

then b^2 = p^2 * a ^2 + 2 * p*a * r + r^2 = stuff*a + r^2
if a^2 divides b^2, then r^2 = 0, which it cannot, or r^2 = a*a*shit
r^2 = a*shit = a*a*shit_1*shit_1
then r = a*shit_1
which causes a contradiction since (1) states r<a

haha fuck the argument doesn't work lolol
i thought i was being slick by doing (a*p + r)^2 hahaha
Life is run, it is dance, it is fast, passionate and BAM!, you dance and sing and booze while you can for now is the time and time is mine. Smile and laugh when still can for now is the time and soon you die!
evanthebouncy!
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
United States12796 Posts
October 25 2009 08:45 GMT
#18
But contradiction is still the way to go.

a does not divide b, that means if we factor both a and b, we will get
a = p1*p2*...*ps
b = q1*q2*...*qt

if a does not divide b, that means {p1,...,ps} is not contained in {q1,...,qt}
(in the case a>b it's pretty simple, a^2>b^2 then clearly it doesn't divide as well)
in particular, there is a pi that is a factor of a that's not a factor of b

then a^2 = p1^2 * ... * pn^2
and b^2 = q1^2 * ... * qn^2

and we see that pi is still in a^2 and pi is not a factor of b^2
Life is run, it is dance, it is fast, passionate and BAM!, you dance and sing and booze while you can for now is the time and time is mine. Smile and laugh when still can for now is the time and soon you die!
BrTarolg
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United Kingdom3574 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-25 10:09:05
October 25 2009 10:02 GMT
#19
I assume this isnt a cyclic group of integers?

Either way if A doesnt divide B then A != B*m => A^2 != B^2m^2 And we have resulted in a contradiction since the question states that A^2 = B^2*N where n = M^2

Gotta be careful with logic here, since we have just disproved that A !=B*m (the implication of the first part is false) and this is equivelant to A divides B, and then there is an axiom you can use (i think it is the fundamental theorem of number theory) that allows you to show the only other case is A = B*m
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