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Conference rusure::math

Title:Mathematics at DEC
Moderator:RUSURE::EDP
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2083
Total number of notes:14613

549.0. "Divisibility by 5" by PRCSWS::SIMONLI () Thu Jul 31 1986 07:06


It has been observed that:

	2^5 + 3^1 = 35	(a multiple of 5)
	2^4 + 3^2 = 25	(	"	)
	2^3 + 3^3 = 35	(	"	)
	2^2 + 3^4 = 85	(	"	)

Prove of disprove the following statement:

If 2^a + 3^b (where a & b >0) is a multiple of 5,
then 2^(a+1) + 3^(b-1) is also a multiple of 5.

Further prove or disprove, if 2^a + 3^b (where a & b >0) is a multiple of 5,
then	(i)	2^(a+k) + 3^(b-k) is also a multiple of 5
			(as long as (a+k) and (b-k) >0);
	(ii)	2^(a-k) + 3^(b+k) is also a multiple of 5
			(as long as (a-k) and (b+k) >0).


Regards,
Simon
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549.1CLT::GILBERTeager like a childThu Jul 31 1986 11:056
and
	(iii)	Find corresponding numbers that produce multiples of p,
		for any prime p.

	(iv)	Find corresponding numbers that produce multiples of m,
		for any m, when such (distinct) numbers exist.
549.2Divisibility by 5 - A GeneralisationPRCSWS::SIMONLIFri Aug 01 1986 09:5731
Further, prove (or disprove), in general, that:

(v)	If (10m+2)^a + (10n+3)^b is a multiple of 5 (where a & b >0, and
	M & n >=0), then:
	the sum of two terms (10m+2)^(a+k) and (10n+3)^(b-k) is also a 
	multiple of 5 (as long as this sum >0).
	That is, (10m+2)^(a+k) + (10n+3)^(b-k) is also a mutiple of 5.

	NOTE:
	(1)	(ii) above is a case of (i) by substituting k=-k.
	(2)	(i) is a general case of (v) (when m & n are both =0).

(vi)	The same holds if the sum in (v) above is replaced by the difference
	(of course, the difference has to be >0).

	That is, if (10m+2)^a - (10n+3)^b is a multiple of 5,
	then (10m+2)^(a+k) - (10n+3)^(b-k) is also a multiple of 5.

	For example, using 2 and 3 again (i.e., m=n=0):
		2^8 - 3^4 = 175
		2^9 - 3^3 = 485
		2^10- 3^2 = 1015

	(NOTE: even the difference <0, it is still a multiple of 5:
		2^7 - 3^5 = -115
		2^6 - 3^6 = -665
	 So, we may even further formulate this to be just the DIFFERENCE of 
	 the two terms, i.e., the larger term - the smaller term.)

Regards,
Simon Li
549.3CLT::GILBERTeager like a childFri Aug 01 1986 15:275
(v)	(10m+2)^a + (10n+3)^b = 0 modulo 5  iff  2^a + 3^b = 0 modulo 5.
	Thus, a proof of (ii) gives a proof of (v).

( are these problems being ignored because they're too simple, or
  is everyone trying to think of ways to make the problems harder? )
549.4CLT::GILBERTeager like a childFri Aug 01 1986 21:271
Hint:   2*3 = 1 modulo 5, so 2 and 3 are multiplicative inverses modulo 5.
549.5AURORA::HALLYBGod throws loaded diceSun Aug 03 1986 16:475
    Sometimes questions are phrased in such a manner that the author(s)
    do not make it clear if the problem is (a) unsolved, or (b) simply 
    a fun exercise the reader might enjoy.

      John
549.6Does that matter?22537::SIMONLIMon Aug 18 1986 06:065
    Does that matter?
    
    For this one, at first I did not have the solution when I posted
    up this note, but then I found a way of solving it.
    
549.7Outline of proofZFC::DERAMOMy very own personal nameThu Dec 10 1987 22:1827
     Spoiler.


     Assume a > 0, b > 1

     Start with this identity:       3^b = 3 * 3^(b-1)
     Multiply both sides by 2:       2 * 3^b = 6 * 3^(b-1)

>> .4
>> Hint:   2*3 = 1 modulo 5, so 2 and 3 are multiplicative inverses modulo 5.

     Reduce modulo 5:                2 * 3^b == 1 * 3^(b-1) mod 5
                                     2 * 3^b == 3^(b-1) mod 5

     Add in the following identity:  2 * 2^a = 2^(a+1)

     The sum of the last two:        2 * (2^a + 3^b) == 2^(a+1) + 3^(b-1) mod 5

     Assume 2^a + 3^b == 0 mod 5:    0 == 2^(a+1) + 3^(b-1) mod 5

     So assuming 2^a + 3^b is divisible by 5, where a > 0 and b > 1,
     implies 2^(a+1) + 3^(b-1) is also divisible by 5.

     Reverse the roles of 2 and 3 for 2^(a-1) + 3^(b+1).
     Use induction to extend these from +/- 1 to +/- k.

     Dan