Q: Consider two composite numbers A and B. Since A is composite we can write:
A = (p1^v1)(p2^v2)...(pn^vn)
Where p(i) is prime and v(i) is an integer. Suppose B is made up of the same primes, the difference is their exponent:
B = (p1^w1)(p2^w2)...(pn^wn) : w(i) is an integer
Show that A=B if and only if v(i) = w(i) for all i.
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A: (Necessary condition) Suppose v(i) = w(i). Clearly A=B.
But how can one deduce v(i) = w(i) given A=B as the starting point. How does one prove the sufficient condition?
My gratitude in advance to those bright sparks that prove this proposition.