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Diophantine equations in Number Theory

Posted by admin on 28 Dec 2008 at 12:00 AM
$9.00

Math and Statistics / Algebra I

Here is the problem:

If a and b are relatively prime positive integers, prove that the
Diophantine equation ax-by = c has infinitely many solutions in the
positive integers.

[Hint: There exist integers x0 and y0 such that ax0+by0 = c. For any
integer t, which is larger that both |x0|/b and |y0|/a, a positive
solution of the given equation is x = x0+bt, y = -(y0-at).]

(Note: x0 is x null or naught...I didn't know how else to write it.)

I'm stuck on this homework problem. If anyone can please help me I
would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Accepted Answer:

Answer provided by admin on 28 Dec 2008 at 12:00 AM

If a and b are coprime you can always find integers p, q such that

ap + bq = 1 using Euclid's algorithm.

Then multiply by c to get

ax' + by' = c ......(1) where x' = cp, y' = cq

and finally let x = x'+bt y = -(y'-at) and substituting into the
equation

ax - by = c we get

a(x'+bt) +b(y'-at) = c

ax' + abt + by' - abt = c

ax' + by' = c which we have shown from (1) is true.

It follows that there are an infinity of solutions of the form

x = x'+bt y = -(y'-at) where ax'+by'=c

Rating: * * * * *      Awarded: $9.00
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