Chapter 4: Problem 31
Show that if \(a\) and \(b\) are positive integers, then \(a b=\) \(\operatorname{gcd}(a, b) \cdot \operatorname{lcm}(a, b) .\) [Hint: Use the prime factorizations of \(a\) and \(b\) and the formulae for \(\operatorname{gcd}(a, b)\) and \(\operatorname{lcm}(a, b)\) in terms of these factorizations.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The product of gcd(a, b) and lcm(a, b) equals ab.
Step by step solution
01
Prime Factorization
Express the numbers a and b in their prime factorized forms. Let’s represent them as follows: a = p1^{e1} * p2^{e2} * ... * pn^{en} b = p1^{f1} * p2^{f2} * ... * pn^{fn} where pi represents a prime number, and ei and fi are their respective powers in the factorization of a and b.
02
Understanding gcd(a, b)
The greatest common divisor (gcd) of a and b is calculated by taking the lowest power of each prime that appears in both a and b: gcd(a, b) = p1^{min(e1, f1)} * p2^{min(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{min(en, fn)}.
03
Understanding lcm(a, b)
The least common multiple (lcm) of a and b is found by taking the highest power of each prime that appears in either a or b: lcm(a, b) = p1^{max(e1, f1)} * p2^{max(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{max(en, fn)}.
04
Multiply gcd(a, b) and lcm(a, b)
Multiply gcd(a, b) and lcm(a, b) together: gcd(a, b) * lcm(a, b) = (p1^{min(e1, f1)} * p2^{min(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{min(en, fn)}) * (p1^{max(e1, f1)} * p2^{max(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{max(en, fn)}).
05
Simplifying the Expression
Simplify the multiplication by combining the powers of the corresponding prime factors: (p1^{min(e1, f1) + max(e1, f1)} * p2^{min(e2, f2) + max(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{min(en, fn) + max(en, fn)}). Notice that min(ei, fi) + max(ei, fi) = ei + fi for each i.
06
Result
Thus, combining the simplified terms, we have: gcd(a, b) * lcm(a, b) = p1^{e1 + f1} * p2^{e2 + f2} * ... * pn^{en + fn} = a * b.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
greatest common divisor
The greatest common divisor (gcd) of two positive integers, a and b, is the largest positive integer that divides both a and b without leaving a remainder. For any two numbers, their gcd can be calculated using the prime factorization method.
Here’s how you can compute it:
Here’s how you can compute it:
- First, express both numbers in their prime factorized forms. For example, let's say \( a = p1^{e1} * p2^{e2} * ... * pn^{en} \) and \( b = p1^{f1} * p2^{f2} * ... * pn^{fn} \), where \( pi \) represents a prime number, and \( ei \) and \( fi \) are their respective powers in the factorization of a and b.
- Next, identify the common prime factors and select the lowest power for each prime that appears in both numbers. The formula for gcd(a, b) in terms of their factorizations is: \[ \operatorname{gcd}(a, b) = p1^{\min(e1, f1)} * p2^{\min(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{\min(en, fn)} \]
- For example, for \( a = 24 \) and \( b = 36 \) the prime factorizations are \( 24 = 2^3 * 3^1 \) and \( 36 = 2^2 * 3^2 \). The gcd would be \( 2^{\min(3,2)} * 3^{\min(1,2)} = 2^2 * 3^1 = 12 \).
least common multiple
The least common multiple (lcm) of two positive integers, a and b, is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both a and b. Calculating the lcm can also be done using the prime factorization method.
Here's a simple guide to find the lcm:
Here's a simple guide to find the lcm:
- First, express both numbers in their prime factorized forms. Let’s represent them as: \( a = p1^{e1} * p2^{e2} * ... * pn^{en} \) and \( b = p1^{f1} * p2^{f2} * ... * pn^{fn} \).
- Next, take each prime number that appears in either of the factorizations and choose the highest power for each prime that appears. The formula for the lcm is: \[ \operatorname{lcm}(a, b) = p1^{\max(e1, f1)} * p2^{\max(e2, f2)} * ... * pn^{\max(en, fn)} \]
- For instance, for \( a = 24 \) and \( b = 36 \), the prime factorizations are \( 24 = 2^3 * 3^1 \) and \( 36 = 2^2 * 3^2 \). The lcm would be \( 2^{\max(3,2)} * 3^{\max(1,2)} = 2^3 * 3^2 = 72 \).
prime factorization
Prime factorization is the process of expressing a positive integer as a product of prime numbers. This method is foundational in number theory. Here is how you can perform prime factorization:
- Start by dividing the number by the smallest prime number (usually 2) and continue dividing by that prime as long as the division is exact (no remainder).
- Once the division by the smallest prime is no longer possible, move to the next smallest prime number and repeat.
- Continue this process until you're left with a quotient of 1.
- 60 ÷ 2 = 30
- 30 ÷ 2 = 15
- 15 ÷ 3 = 5 (note: 3 is the next smallest prime after 2)
- 5 ÷ 5 = 1