If a b1 prove that ab ab 1 or 2 Hint Suppose that dab ab Sho
If (a, b)=1, prove that (a+b, a-b) =1 or 2.
Hint: Suppose that d=(a+b, a-b). Show that d|2b, d|2a, and use the result of: If c > 0, prove that (ac, bc)=c(a,b).
Solution
Now we will go by using the hint:
Now lets prove that (ac,bc) = c (a,b).
Let (ac ,bc) = m
so we have ac=mx and bc =my ,since m is the G.C.D , we can say that x and y are co primes ( Numbers whose G.C.D is 1).
Now let (a,b) =k,
then a=gk
and b = fk where f,g are co primes.
multiplying with c , we have,
ac=cgk =g *ck
and bc= cfk .= f* ck
Since g and f are co primes , the G.C.D of ac, bc will be ck
So (ac,bc) =ck =c (a,b).
Hence we can say (2a,2b) =2(a,b) = 2 *1 =2.
Now lets prove this:
Let d = (a+b, a-b)
so let a+b =dk -- Equation 1 and
a-b =dp -- Equation 2 , where k and p are co primes
adding both equations we get;
2a= dk+dp =d(k+p) =dx (say)
so 2a = dx ,hence we can say that d divides 2a i.e d|2a.
Now let us subtract the two equations , we have;
2b =dk-dp =d (k-p) =dy (say)
so 2b = dy ,hence we can say that d divides 2b i.e d|2b.
So we have 2a=dx and 2b = dy
Now since k and p are co primes ,
so (2a,2b) = (dx,dy) =d(x,y) = 2 (as we got above)
so d * (x,y) = 2*1
Hence there are two cases , 1. d=2 and (x,y) =1
2. d=1 and (x,y) =2.
Hence d can be either 1 or 2.

