Chapter 4: Problem 25
Find a formula for the integer with smallest absolute value that is congruent to an integer \(a\) modulo \(m,\) where \(m\) is a positive integer.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Use conditional formula: \( x = r \text{ if } r \leq \frac{m}{2} \), otherwise, \( x = r - m \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the problem
The goal is to find an integer congruent to another integer \( a \) modulo \( m \) with the smallest absolute value.
02
Define modulo operation
Remember that two integers \( x \) and \( y \) are congruent modulo \( m \) if they leave the same remainder when divided by \( m \), i.e., \( x \equiv y \pmod{m} \).
03
General solution form
Any integer \( a \) can be expressed in terms of its multiples of \( m \): \( a = km + r \), where \( k \) is an integer, and \( r \) is the remainder when \( a \) is divided by \( m \).
04
Define the remainder
The remainder \( r \) has the property \( 0 \leq r < m \). This remainder is congruent to \( a \) modulo \( m \).
05
Consider the negative remainder
The remainder \( r \) and \( r - m \) are both congruent to \( a \) modulo \( m \). We need to compare the absolute values: \( |r| \) and \( |r - m| \).
06
Deciding the smallest absolute value
The integer with the smallest absolute value is \( r \) if \( |r| \leq |r - m| \), otherwise, it is \( r - m \).
07
Formulate the conditional formula
Thus, the formula is: \[ x = \begin{cases} r & \text{if } r \leq \frac{m}{2}, \ r - m & \text{if } r > \frac{m}{2} \end{cases} \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
congruence relation
In mathematics, a congruence relation is a way to express that two numbers give the same remainder when divided by a given number, called the modulus.
For example, if we say that integers \(x\) and \(y\) are congruent modulo \(m\), we write it as \(x \equiv y \pmod{m}\). This means that when \(x\) and \(y\) are divided by \(m\), they both leave the same remainder.
For example, if \(x = 14\), \(y = 2\), and \(m = 6\), then \(14 \equiv 2 \pmod{6}\) because both \(14\) and \(2\) leave a remainder of \(2\) when divided by \(6\).
Here are the main points to remember:
For example, if we say that integers \(x\) and \(y\) are congruent modulo \(m\), we write it as \(x \equiv y \pmod{m}\). This means that when \(x\) and \(y\) are divided by \(m\), they both leave the same remainder.
For example, if \(x = 14\), \(y = 2\), and \(m = 6\), then \(14 \equiv 2 \pmod{6}\) because both \(14\) and \(2\) leave a remainder of \(2\) when divided by \(6\).
Here are the main points to remember:
- Congruence tells us two numbers behave the same way with respect to a certain modulo.
- The notation \(x \equiv y \pmod{m}\) captures this idea.
- You can think of congruence as a kind of periodicity in numbers where they cycle every \(m\) units.
absolute value
The absolute value of a number is a measure of its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction.
It is denoted by vertical bars, like this: \(|x|\). For instance, \(|5| = 5\) and \(|-5| = 5\).
In more practical terms, if you have any number, the absolute value simply removes any negative sign and gives you a non-negative result.
Here are the key concepts to remember:
It is denoted by vertical bars, like this: \(|x|\). For instance, \(|5| = 5\) and \(|-5| = 5\).
In more practical terms, if you have any number, the absolute value simply removes any negative sign and gives you a non-negative result.
Here are the key concepts to remember:
- The absolute value of a positive number is the number itself.
- The absolute value of a negative number is its positive counterpart.
- The absolute value of zero is zero.
remainder theorem
The remainder theorem is a useful tool in polynomial division but is also highly applicable in integer division and modular arithmetic.
Fundamentally, it states that when you divide a number \(a\) by a number \(m\), you can represent \(a\) as the sum of a multiple of \(m\) and a remainder: \(a = km + r\), where \(k\) is an integer and \(0 \leq r < m\).
This remainder \(r\) is what is left over after you divide \(a\) by \(m\).
Here's what you need to know:
Fundamentally, it states that when you divide a number \(a\) by a number \(m\), you can represent \(a\) as the sum of a multiple of \(m\) and a remainder: \(a = km + r\), where \(k\) is an integer and \(0 \leq r < m\).
This remainder \(r\) is what is left over after you divide \(a\) by \(m\).
Here's what you need to know:
- The remainder theorem allows us to express any number as a combination of another number (the divisor) and a remainder.
- It helps us understand how numbers break down into more manageable parts, making calculations simpler.
- The concept of remainders is crucial in modular arithmetic, as it determines how numbers relate to each other within a certain modular system.
integer division
Integer division is the division of whole numbers where the result is also a whole number. The division of integers will almost always result in a quotient and a remainder.
For example, if we divide \(17\) by \(5\), we get a quotient of \(3\) and a remainder of \(2\). This can be formally written as \(17 = 3 \times 5 + 2\).
Here are the main points on integer division:
For example, if we divide \(17\) by \(5\), we get a quotient of \(3\) and a remainder of \(2\). This can be formally written as \(17 = 3 \times 5 + 2\).
Here are the main points on integer division:
- The quotient is the number of times the divisor fits completely into the dividend.
- The remainder is what is left over after the integer division.
- Integer division is fundamental in modular arithmetic and helps in understanding congruence relations and the remainder theorem.