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Write a complete mathematical definition of (a,b), the greatest common divisor of a,b in \mathbb{Z}

User RomeNYRR
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Answer:

The greatest common divisor of two integers a and b (not both 0) is the largest integer that divides both a and b.

Explanation:

Think for example of the numbers a=5, and b= -10. The greatest common divisor of 5 and -10, is the largest integer that divides both 5 and -10. We can find it by inspection (although there are more advanced methods to find it). We can list all integers that divide both 5 and -10.

-5 divides 5, and it also divides -10

-1 divides 5, and it also divides -10

1 divides 5, and it also divides -10

5 divides 5, and it also dividies -10

The LARGEST of them all is then 5, so 5 is the greatest common divisor of 5 and -10. The usual way to write it is


gcd(5,-10)=(5,-10)=5

User Venkatskpi
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