Math Problem Statement

Show that an integer of the form 4n + 3 has a prime factor of such form.

Solution

To prove that an integer of the form 4n+34n + 3 has a prime factor of the same form, we will proceed by contradiction. Let's assume that all prime factors of 4n+34n + 3 are of the form 4k+14k + 1.

Proof by Contradiction:

  1. Assumption:
    Suppose mm is an integer of the form m=4n+3m = 4n + 3 and that all prime factors of mm are of the form pi=4ki+1p_i = 4k_i + 1 for some integer kik_i.

  2. Product of Numbers of the Form 4k+14k + 1:
    Consider the product of two numbers each of the form 4k+14k + 1. Let p1=4a+1p_1 = 4a + 1 and p2=4b+1p_2 = 4b + 1. The product is: p1×p2=(4a+1)(4b+1)=16ab+4a+4b+1=4(4ab+a+b)+1p_1 \times p_2 = (4a + 1)(4b + 1) = 16ab + 4a + 4b + 1 = 4(4ab + a + b) + 1 Therefore, p1×p2p_1 \times p_2 is also of the form 4k+14k + 1, where k=4ab+a+bk = 4ab + a + b is an integer.

  3. Implication for mm:
    Since the product of numbers of the form 4k+14k + 1 is also of the form 4k+14k + 1, and we've assumed all prime factors of mm are of the form 4k+14k + 1, it follows that mm itself must be of the form 4k+14k + 1.

  4. Contradiction:
    However, by assumption, mm is of the form 4n+34n + 3, which is not of the form 4k+14k + 1. This is a contradiction.

Conclusion:

The assumption that all prime factors of m=4n+3m = 4n + 3 are of the form 4k+14k + 1 must be false. Hence, mm must have at least one prime factor of the form 4k+34k + 3.

This completes the proof.

Would you like more details or have any further questions? Here are five related questions to consider:

  1. Can you provide examples of integers of the form 4n+34n + 3 and identify their prime factors?
  2. What are other forms of integers that have specific prime factor properties?
  3. How does this result relate to the distribution of prime numbers in arithmetic progressions?
  4. Can you prove that any prime number of the form 4k+34k + 3 cannot be expressed as the sum of two squares?
  5. How can this theorem be applied in number theory problems, such as in quadratic residues?

Tip: In number theory, proofs by contradiction are often used to establish the impossibility of a scenario, especially when dealing with prime numbers and divisibility properties.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Number Theory
Prime Numbers
Arithmetic Progressions
Proof by Contradiction

Formulas

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Theorems

Product of numbers of the form 4k + 1
Contradiction Principle in Proofs

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12