Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, Seventh Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073383090
ISBN 13: 978-0-07338-309-5

Chapter 4 - Section 4.1 - Divisibility and Modular Arithmetic - Exercises - Page 244: 8

Answer

I show the statement to be true.

Work Step by Step

Define $a|bc$, where $a, b, c$ are positive integers and $a\neq 0$. We seek to prove or disprove the conclusion that $a|b$ or $a|c$. $a|bc$, so $ag=bc$ for some integer $g$. $a=\frac{bc}{g}=b\frac{c}{g}$ by the properties of integers, without loss of generality between $b$ and $c$. Clearly, $a|b$ or $a|c$.
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