Let a,b be coprime integers. Prove that every integer x>ab-a-b can be written as na+mb where n,m are non negative integers. Prove that ab-a-b cannot be expressed in this form.

Joni Kenny

Joni Kenny

Answered question

2021-01-05

Let a,b be coprime integers. Prove that every integer x>abab can be written as na+mb where n,m are non negative integers. Prove that abab cannot be expressed in this form.

Answer & Explanation

Mayme

Mayme

Skilled2021-01-06Added 103 answers

We work under the given condtions, a, b positive coprime integers, gcd (a,b)=1. By Euclidean algorithm, we know that ANY integer x can be represented as an+bm . The point is that we require that n and m be non-negative integers. To explain this, consider the example a=10,b=3. The statement says that every integer x>30103=17 can be represented thus. Note that the integer 13 (less than 17) is also of this form , but 17 cannot be represented thus. We need to prove it in the general case.
Example: a=10,b=3.
The following are representable in the required form 3,6,9,10,12,13,15,16
The following are not representable in the required form 1,2,4,5,7,8,11,14,17.
But, as per theorm. all x=18,19(x>17=abab) are representable in the required form.
Describing all integral solutions (no conditions) of the equation an+bm=x. The last line expresses all the solutions (n,m) in terms of a particular solution (α,β) , we have crucially used that a and b are relatively prime.
Given: a,b positive integers, (a,b)=1
By Euclidean algorithm, α,βZ, with aα+bβ=xZ
Consider any general solution
an+bm=x Then an+bm=aα+bβrAra(nα)=b(βm)
But (a,b)=1tZ, with nα=tb,βm=ta,
So, n=α+tb,m=β=ta(tZ)
Thus, if α,βZ with aα+bβ=x, then all solutions an+bm=x, given by n=α+tb,m=β=ta(tZ)
Note, that the m's can be brought to {0,1,2,...,a-1} In particular, m are all non-negative
We have shown that the largest x for which the representation an+bm=x with n, m non-negative is not possible is x=abab. In other words, if x>abab, then x can be represented as an+bm , for some non-negative integers a and b.
Now, note that α<0α+tb<0tandβta<0t0.
Thus, the set of all x not admitting non-negative solutions for an+bm=x is {aα+bβ:α<0,β{0,1,2,,a1}
The largest such x corresponds to α=1,β=a1, with x=(1)a+(a1)b=abab.
We have already proved that x=ab-a-b is not representable in the required form. Here is another proof.
Now, the equation an+bm=abab, has a particular solution n=1,m=a1.
So, the general solution is n=1+tb,m=(a1)at
n0tb1t1
But t1(a1)at<0
So x=abab cannot be expressed as x=an+bm,n,m,non-negative integers.
image

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?