Let a,b be coprime inegers. Prove that every integer x>ab-a-b can be written as na-mb where n,m where are non-negative inegers. Prove that ab-a-b connot be expressed ib this form.

Amari Flowers

Amari Flowers

Answered question

2021-02-11

Let a,b be coprime inegers. Prove that every integer x>ab-a-b can be written as na-mb where n,m where are non-negative inegers. Prove that ab-a-b connot be expressed ib this form.

Answer & Explanation

Latisha Oneil

Latisha Oneil

Skilled2021-02-12Added 100 answers

In the following, a and b are coprime positive integers, Note that , by Euclidean algorithm, ANY integer x is an integral linear combination na+mb. The point is we seek sufficient condtions on the integer x ( namely x>abab)na+nb=x with both n and m non-negative,For instance , consider a=10,b=3, clearly relatively prime positive integers . Now x=10+3=13 is a non-negative integral linear combination of a and b , but 14,16, 17 are not. The theorem asserts that whenver x>103103=17,x can be expressed as 10n+3m , with n and m non-negative integers.
General solution of (1) is derived , using the fact that a and b are relatively prime.
Let xZ
As gcda,b)=1, α,βZ, with aα+bβ=x (1)
Let (n,m) be any solution of (1): an+bm=x
Then an+bm=aα+bβa(nα)=b(βm)
As gcd(a,b)=1, this RtZ. with nα=btandβm=atn=α+bt,m=βat(2)
1) Observe that from (2), any two solutions for m differ by a multiple of a . So there exists a unique solution for m which lies in among {0,1,2,...a1}.
2) We have characterized when we can obtain non-negative solutions.
General solution for an+bm=x (1)
n=α+bt,m=βat,tZ (2)
Fix m for which m=βat{0,1,2,..a1}
Consider the corresponding solution (n,m).
Claim: α0n0,m0
Proof: If α<bt, then nα+bt<0t<0andm=m=βat<0t0.
So, α<0 at least one ofm,n less than 0.
We have thus demonstrated that whenver x is an integer >abab, there exists non-negative integer solutions to the equation x=na+mb. This proves the first part of the problem.
We have shown {xZ:an+bm=xnorm<0}={x:xan+bm:n<0,m{0,1,2,,a1}
The maximum such value corresponds to in n=1,m=a1, that is, when x=1(a)+(a1)b=abab,
Proof: The second part of the problem: with (a,b)=1 , ie a and b are relatively prime implies that ab-a-b is not a non-negative integer linear combination of a and b.
Now, an+bm=abab, admits n=1,m=a1 as a particular solution. As above, the genaral solution is n=1+tb,m=(a1)ta
Claim:n0m<0.
Proof: n0tb1t1taam=(a1)ta<0
Conclusion" ab-a-b is not a non-negative linearinegral combination of a and b.
Answer: 1) (a,b)=1,a,b>0,x>ababn,mZ

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