Exercise · ZW-EUCLID-S-LEMMA-005 · ★☆☆ Basic

Which statement about a prime \(p\) that does not divide \(a\) is true?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • A. \(\gcd(p,a)=1\)

Explanation

If \(p\) does not divide \(a\), the only positive common divisor is 1, since the gcd divides \(p\). The other options contradict the hypothesis.

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Review the concept: Euclid's lemma

If a prime \(p\) divides the product \(ab\), then \(p\) divides \(a\) or \(b\). It is the key property that distinguishes primes from composite numbers.

\[p \mid ab \Rightarrow p \mid a \ \lor\ p \mid b\]

More practice problems: euclid's lemma

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