Exercise · ZW-EUCLID-S-LEMMA-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

If \(11 \mid ab\) and \(11 \nmid a\), what happens to \(b\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(11 \mid b\)

Explanation

By Euclid's lemma, if 11 divides the product and does not divide \(a\), then 11 divides \(b\). The option saying nothing can be stated ignores the application of the lemma.

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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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