Exercise · ZW-BEZOUT-S-IDENTITY-008 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Can \( 8x+12y \) equal 2 for some integers \( x,y \)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • A. No, all its values are multiples of \( 4 \)

Explanation

The values of \( 8x+12y \) are exactly the multiples of \( \gcd(8,12)=4 \). So 2 is never reached, even though 2 divides both 8 and 12.

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Review the concept: Bézout's identity

Bézout's identity states that, for integers \( a \) and \( b \) not both zero, there exist integers \( x \) and \( y \) such that \( ax+by=\gcd(a,b) \).

\[ax+by=\gcd(a,b) \text{ for some } x,y\in\mathbb{Z}\]

More practice problems: bézout's identity

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