MATH/COMP SCI 240

Introduction to Discrete Mathematics

Spring 2025

The Division Algorithm

Multiples and Factors

Multiple

\(y\) is said to be a multiple of \(x\)

Divisor

\(x\) is said to be a divisor or factor of \(y\)

Example 1.

  • \(3\mid 6\) since \(6=2\cdot 3\)

  • \(5\mid 15\) since \(15=3\cdot 5\)

  • \(2\nmid 7\) since \(7\neq 2\cdot k, k\in\Z\)

Activity

Are the following true or false?

  1. \(2\mid 0\)

    True since \(0=0\cdot 2\)

  2. \(3\mid 11\)

    False since \(11\neq 3\cdot k\) for any integer \(k\)

  3. \(5\mid (20 + 15)\)

    True since \(20+15=35\) and \(35=5\cdot 7\)

  4. \(20\mid 4\)

    False since \(4\neq 20\cdot k\) for any integer \(k\)

  5. \(-3\mid 9\)

    True since \(9=(-3)(-3)\)

Linear Combinations

Example 3.

\(3\mid 6\) and \(3\mid 9\text{.}\) What about \(6+9\) and \(2\cdot 6+3\cdot 9\text{?}\)

We have \(3\mid (6+9)\) since \(3\mid 15\text{.}\) Also, \(2\cdot 6+3\cdot 9 = 12+27=39\text{,}\) and we also have \(3\mid 39\text{.}\)