Discrete Mathematics with Applications 4th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 0-49539-132-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-49539-132-6

Chapter 4 - Elementary Number Theory and Methods of Proof - Exercise Set 4.4 - Page 190: 48

Answer

- **\(m = n\)?** No; for instance, \(7 \neq 2\) even though \(7 \mod 5 = 2 \mod 5\). - **\(m - n\) is divisible by \(d\)?** Yes; by writing \(m\) and \(n\) in the form \(qd + r\) and \(pd + r\), we see that \(m - n = (q-p)d\), which is divisible by \(d\).

Work Step by Step

We are given that \(m\), \(n\), and \(d\) are integers with \(d > 0\) and that \[ m \mod d = n \mod d. \] ### Does it necessarily follow that \(m = n\)? **Answer:** No, it does not necessarily follow that \(m = n\). **Proof/Counterexample:** When we say that \(m \mod d = n \mod d\), we mean that the remainders when \(m\) and \(n\) are divided by \(d\) are equal. However, \(m\) and \(n\) may differ by a multiple of \(d\). For example, let \[ m = 7,\quad n = 2,\quad d = 5. \] Then, \[ 7 \mod 5 = 2\quad \text{and} \quad 2 \mod 5 = 2. \] Thus, \(7 \mod 5 = 2 \mod 5\), but clearly \(7 \ne 2\). Hence, \(m \mod d = n \mod d\) does not imply that \(m = n\). ### Does it necessarily follow that \(m - n\) is divisible by \(d\)? **Answer:** Yes, \(m - n\) is divisible by \(d\). **Proof:** Since \(m \mod d = n \mod d\), we can express \(m\) and \(n\) in the form: \[ m = qd + r \quad \text{and} \quad n = pd + r, \] where \(q\) and \(p\) are integers, and \(r\) is the common remainder with \(0 \le r < d\). Subtract \(n\) from \(m\): \[ m - n = (qd + r) - (pd + r) = (q - p)d. \] Since \(q - p\) is an integer, it follows that \(m - n\) is an integer multiple of \(d\), i.e., \(m - n\) is divisible by \(d\).
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