Line 12: Line 12:
 
After constant long division we get to the base equation where there is still a remainder of 1.
 
After constant long division we get to the base equation where there is still a remainder of 1.
 
Therefore <math> 5*n + 3 </math> and <math> 7*n + 4 </math> are relatively prime.
 
Therefore <math> 5*n + 3 </math> and <math> 7*n + 4 </math> are relatively prime.
 +
 +
 +
 +
== Even easier would be to use the Euclidean Algorithm ==
 +
<math>gcd(5*n + 3, 7*n + 4) = gcd(5*n + 3, 2*n + 1)</math>
 +
<math>                      = gcd(3*n + 2, 2*n + 1)</math>
 +
<math>                      = gcd(n + 1, 2*n + 1)</math>
 +
<math>                      = gcd(n + 1, n)</math>
 +
<math>                      = gcd(1, n)</math>
 +
<math>                      = 1</math>
 +
 +
Since the GCD of the two expressions is one for all n, they are relatively prime.

Revision as of 21:43, 6 September 2008

Show that $ 5*n + 3 $ and $ 7*n + 4 $ are relatively prime.

$ 7*n + 4 = 5*n + 3 + 2*n + 1 $

$ 5*n + 3 = 2*(2*n + 1) + n + 1 $

$ 2*n + 1 = 1*(n + 1) + n $

$ n + 1 = 1*n + 1 $


After constant long division we get to the base equation where there is still a remainder of 1. Therefore $ 5*n + 3 $ and $ 7*n + 4 $ are relatively prime.


Even easier would be to use the Euclidean Algorithm

$ gcd(5*n + 3, 7*n + 4) = gcd(5*n + 3, 2*n + 1) $ $ = gcd(3*n + 2, 2*n + 1) $ $ = gcd(n + 1, 2*n + 1) $ $ = gcd(n + 1, n) $ $ = gcd(1, n) $ $ = 1 $

Since the GCD of the two expressions is one for all n, they are relatively prime.

Alumni Liaison

Abstract algebra continues the conceptual developments of linear algebra, on an even grander scale.

Dr. Paul Garrett