Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Exercise (2.4).18

Let $[a, b] = m$ and $n$ be a common multiple of $a$ and $b$. Show that $m \mid n$.


We'll use Bézout’s Identity (1.9). 

There are integers $x$ and $y$ such that $ax + by= \gcd (a, b)$ where $a$ and $b$ are not both zero.

We'll also  use Proposition (2.22). 

Let $a$ and $b$ be positive integers then $\gcd (a, b) × [a, b] = a × b$.


We're given $a \mid n$ and $b \mid n$. This means for some integers $x,y$ we have

$$\begin{align} ax &= n \\ \\ by &= n \end{align}$$

Bezout's identity gives us, for some integers $j,k$

$$ ja + kb = \gcd(a,b) $$

Using Proposition 2.2.2 to introduce the LCM

$$ [a,b] \times (ja + kb) = ab $$

Multiplying both sides by $n$ but using both $n=ax$  and $n=by$

$$ [a,b] \times (jaby + kbax) = nab $$

Dividing by $ab$

$$ [a,b] \times (jy + kx) = n $$

This tells us that $[a,b]=m$ is a factor of $n$. That is $m \mid n$.


Note: I found this online answer helpful (link).