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Let $a$, $b$ an element of $\mathbb{Z}$ with $a$ and $b$ not both zero and let $c$ be a nonzero integer. Prove that $$(ca,cb) = |c|(a,b)$$

3 Answers3

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Below is a proof of the distributive law for GCDs that works in every domain.

THEOREM $\rm\quad (a,b)\ =\ (ac,bc)/c\quad$ if $\rm\ (ac,bc)\ $ exists

Proof $\rm\quad d\ |\ a,b\ \iff\ dc\ |\ ac,bc\ \iff\ dc\ |\ (ac,bc)\ \iff\ d|(ac,bc)/c$

See my post here for further discussion of this property and its relationship with Euclid's Lemma.

Bill Dubuque
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Let $d = (ca,cb)$ and $d' = |c|(a,b)$. Show that $d|d'$ and $d'|d$.

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If $(a,b)=d$, then the equation $ax+by=dz$ has a solution for all $z \in \mathbb{N}$, and this implies that $acx+bcy=(dc)z$ admits a solution for all $z \in \mathbb{N}$. And hence we can deduce the result which must appear in every elementary number theory book.
Moreover, you have not offered your motivation which absolutely will make the post better.

awllower
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