# Math Help - Equation with primes in exponent

1. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

godelproof is right. i will put it in a slightly different way.

It's been established that $5|a^n$. Assume that $n>1$. since $5$ is a prime we have $25|a^n \Rightarrow 25|(2^p+3^p)$.

LEMMA: If $k>0$ then $25|(2^k+3^k)$ iff $k \equiv 5,15 \, (\, mod \, 25)$.
PROOF: Its easy to see that $2^{20} \equiv 3^{20} \equiv 1 \,(\, mod 25)$.
Taking $k>0$, from the above we have $2^k+3^k$ can leave at most $20$ distinct remainders when divided by $25$. we put $k=1, \, 2,\, 3, \ldots , \, 20$ and using computation find that $2^5+3^5 \equiv 2^{15}+3^{15} \equiv 0 \,(\, mod \, 25)$. from the blue colored statement above we immediately arrive at the required result.

from the above lemma we have $25|(2^k+3^k)$ iff $k=20m+5$ or $k=20m+15$, $m \in \mathbb{Z} \cup \{0 \}$. so the only prime value $k$ can take is $5$ and for $p=5$ it can be computationally verified that $2^5+3^5 \neq a^n, \, n>1$.

we have now proved that $25 \not | (2^p+3^p)$ if $p$ is prime. so $25 \not | a^n$ contrary to assumption. QED.

2. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
godelproof is right. i will put it in a slightly different way.

It's been established that $5|a^n$. Assume that $n>1$. since $5$ is a prime we have $25|a^n \Rightarrow 25|(2^p+3^p)$.

LEMMA: If $k>0$ then $25|(2^k+3^k)$ iff $k \equiv 5,15 \, (\, mod \, 25)$.
PROOF: Its easy to see that $2^{20} \equiv 3^{20} \equiv 1 \,(\, mod 25)$.
Taking $k>0$, from the above we have $2^k+3^k$ can leave at most $20$ distinct remainders when divided by $25$. we put $k=1, \, 2,\, 3, \ldots , \, 20$ and using computation find that $2^5+3^5 \equiv 2^{15}+3^{15} \equiv 0 \,(\, mod \, 25)$. from the blue colored statement above we immediately arrive at the required result.

from the above lemma we have $25|(2^k+3^k)$ iff $k=25m+5$ or $k=25m+15$, $m \in \mathbb{Z} \cup \{0 \}$. so the only prime value $k$ can take is $5$ and for $p=5$ it can be computationally verified that $2^5+3^5 \neq a^n, \, n>1$.

we have now proved that $25 \not | (2^p+3^p)$ if $p$ is prime. so $25 \not | a^n$ contrary to assumption. QED.
Thanks abhishekkgp! But how do we "immediately" arrive at the required result?

and I think k=20m+5 or k=20m+15... not 25. please check it again there.

3. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
Thanks abhishekkgp! But how do we "immediately" arrive at the required result?

and I think k=20m+5 or k=20m+15... not 25. please check it again there.
oops oops !! sorry.. you are right.. i will edit it.

4. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
Thanks abhishekkgp! But how do we "immediately" arrive at the required result?
take $k=20m+r, \, 0 \leq r < 20$. now $2^k+3^k=2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m+3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \, (\, mod \, 25)$. so if $2^k+3^k \equiv 0 \, (\,mod \, 25)$ then $2^r+3^r \equiv 0 \,(\, mod \, 25)$ which gives $r=5, \, 15$.

5. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
Define LT(x)=last two digits of x (so LT(100)=00, LT(234)=34, ect.). Then LT(2^5+3^5)=75. Define ${k}^{*}$ to be the smallest integer>5 such that 1) LT(2^ ${k}^{*}$+3^ ${k}^{*}$)=00 or 25 or 50 or 75; 2) LT(2^ ${k}^{*}$)=LT(2^5); 3) LT(3^ ${k}^{*}$)=LT(3^5). Such a ${k}^{*}$ is found by inspecting the first 20 terms of the table to be ${k}^{*} =25$. And LT(2^ ${k}^{*}$+3^ ${k}^{*}$)=75. No problem with this?

Now because LT function takes only the last two digits, it is true that LT(2^(5+i))=LT $({2}^{5}{2}^{i})$=LT(LT(2^5)LT(2^i))=LT(LT(2^ ${k}^{*}$)LT(2^i))=LT( ${2}^{{k}^{*}}{2}^{i}$)=LT( $2^{{k}^{*}+i}$), for any i>0. Similarly LT(3^(5+i))=LT( $3^{{k}^{*}+i}$), too. So LT(2^(5+i)+3^(5+i))=LT(LT(2^(5+i))+LT(3^(5+i)))=LT (LT(2^( ${k}^{*}+i$))+LT(3^( ${k}^{*}+i$)))=LT(2^( ${k}^{*}$+i)+3^( ${k}^{*}$+i))

From this we can see f(k)=LT(2^k+3^k) takes only FINITELY MANY values for k=5,6,7,...
and the values it can take are exactly equal to this set:{f(5),f(6),f(7),...,f( ${k}^{*}-1$)}, and any f(k) $\in${00,25,50,75} iff there exists 5 $\leq$k' $\leq$ ${k}^{*}-1$ such that f(k')=f(k).

So what is this k' if f(k') $\in${00,25,50,75}? Inspect the table we find k'=5 or k'=15.

So now you see where k=5+20m and k=15+20m come from.
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If this doesn't convince you. I happily quit

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EDIT: red letters.

Now you've finally produced something that looks like a proof (though I still shall check about the distributivity of that LT function, which right now I've not

time to do and isn't clear to me at once).

This is all I was asking before.

Tonio

6. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by tonio
Now you've finally produced something that looks like a proof (though I still shall check about the distributivity of that LT function, which right now I've not

time to do and isn't clear to me at once).

This is all I was asking before.

Tonio
Please feel free to work out every detail you want yourself

7. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
Taking $k>0$, from the above we have $2^k+3^k$ can leave at most $20$ distinct remainders when divided by $25$
Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
$2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m+3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \, (\, mod \, 25)$

Notice that this equality requires $2^k+3^k$ to have EXACTLY 20 distinct remainders, instead of AT MOST 20 !

8. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
Notice that this equality requires $2^k+3^k$ to have EXACTLY 20 distinct remainders, instead of AT MOST 20 !
i don't get it. what goes wrong if there are less than 20 distinct remainders?? may be i am missing a subtle point...

9. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
i don't get it. what goes wrong if there are less than 20 distinct remainders?? may be i am missing a subtle point...
Let's say there were 18 instead of 20 distinct remainders. Then $2^r \cdot (2^{18})^m+3^r \cdot (3^{18})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \, (\, mod \, 25)$.

Actually, I think from 20 distinct remainders divisible by 25 to concluding $2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m+3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \, (\, mod \, 25)$ is not that obvious! That's why I need the LT functions and the tables to make it clear. But perhaps you have better argument than mine! Let's hear it

10. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
Let's say there were 18 instead of 20 distinct remainders. Then $2^r \cdot (2^{18})^m+3^r \cdot (3^{18})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \, (\, mod \, 25)$.
how is this true??

Actually, I think from 20 distinct remainders divisible by 25 to concluding $2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m+3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \, (\, mod \, 25)$ is not that obvious! That's why I need the LT functions and the tables to make it clear. But perhaps you have better argument than mine! Let's hear it
consider the following:
$2^{20} \equiv 1 \,(mod25) \Rightarrow (2^{20})^m \equiv 1 \Rightarrow 2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m \equiv 2^r \,(mod25)$ .....(1)
$3^{20} \equiv 1 \,(mod25) \Rightarrow (3^{20})^m \equiv 1 \Rightarrow 3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 3^r \, (mod25)$ .....(2)
so $2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m + 3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \,(mod25)$

11. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
consider the following:
$2^{20} \equiv 1 \,(mod25) \Rightarrow (2^{20})^m \equiv 1 \Rightarrow 2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m \equiv 2^r \,(mod25)$ .....(1)
$3^{20} \equiv 1 \,(mod25) \Rightarrow (3^{20})^m \equiv 1 \Rightarrow 3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 3^r \, (mod25)$ .....(2)
so $2^r \cdot (2^{20})^m + 3^r \cdot (3^{20})^m \equiv 2^r+3^r \,(mod25)$
right. But again, say if 2^k=3^k=1(mod25) for some k=18, then all goes with 18, too. have to check for all k<20, too. that's what i mean by exactly 20!

12. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
right. But again, say if 2^k=3^k=1(mod25) for some k=18, then all goes with 18, too. have to check for all k<20, too. that's what i mean by exactly 20!
yes i had to write a code to find the remainders of 2^k+3^k for k=1,2,3,4,...,20. since 2^k=1 (mod25) is false if k=18 hence it won't work with 18.
do you think that there is a gap in the proof in post#16??

13. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
yes i had to write a code to find the remainders of 2^k+3^k for k=1,2,3,4,...,20. since 2^k=1 (mod25) is false if k=18 hence it won't work with 18.
do you think that there is a gap in the proof in post#16??
Here's how I see it: You've proved 2^(r+20m)+3^(r+20m)=2^r+3^r(mod25). There's no problem with this. But you did NOT prove 2^(r+km)+3^(r+km) $\neq$2^r+3^r(mod25) for k<20. So you can NOT conclude the "only if" part of this following statement:

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
we have $25|(2^k+3^k)$ iff $k=20m+5$ or $k=20m+15$, $m \in \mathbb{Z} \cup \{0 \}$

14. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by godelproof
Here's how I see it: You've proved 2^(r+20m)+3^(r+20m)=2^r+3^r(mod25). There's no problem with this. But you did NOT prove 2^(r+km)+3^(r+km) $\neq$2^r+3^r(mod25) for k<20. So you can NOT conclude the "only if" part of this following statement:
its hard to explain idea's on internet and it takes a lot of time creating a decent post. i guess you are convinced with your proof( using the LT thingy..) and i am convinced that mine(which is inspired from your method) is correct too but i am not able to explain it here. lets close it. it was a good question.

15. ## Re: Equation with primes in exponent

Originally Posted by abhishekkgp
its hard to explain idea's on internet and it takes a lot of time creating a decent post. i guess you are convinced with your proof( using the LT thingy..) and i am convinced that mine(which is inspired from your method) is correct too but i am not able to explain it here. lets close it. it was a good question.
I agree~

BTW, Do you believe ${2}^{p}+{3}^{p}={a}^{n}\Longrightarrow n=1$, for ANY positive integer p? See here http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-he...ed-183583.html

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