In: Advanced Math
For each proposition, either give a counterexample showing it is
false, or write a proof.
(a) For all a, b, c ∈ Z, if ab divides c then a divides c and b
divides c.
(b) For all a, b, c ∈ Z, if a divides bc, then a divides b or a
divides c.
(a) solution:
Given that
, i.e. ab divides c, for all
This implies that there exist an integer q such that
and also
and
where
and
are some integers.
Hence, if ab divides c, then a divides b and b divides c.
(b) Given that
, i.e. a divides bc, for all
.
Suppose
. This implies a can not divide b.
Then,
[standard result]
Taking
,
since
,i.e. a divides c.
Similarly, we consider
.
Then,
, i.e. a divides b.
Hence, if a divides bc, then a divides b or a divides c.