If $2^n - 1$ is prime from some integer $n$, prove that n must also be prime.$2^p -1$ then $p$ is a primeIf $2^k - 1$ is prime then $k$ is prime, using $2^m -1 vert 2^mn - 1$$2^n + 1$ is prime $ implies n$ is a power of $2$Showing that $a = 2^1264504 - 1$ is not primeHow to prove that $n$ is a prime if $2^n-1$ is a primeIf $2^n-1$ is prime, then n is prime - proof involving the Mersenne primes by counterexampleIf an integer is divisible by 8 and 15, then the integer also must be divisible by which of the following?Prove that $1$ has only one divisorProve if $3$ does not divide $n$, then $n^2=1+3k$ for some integer $k$Prove for each positive integer $n$, there exists $n$ consecutive positive integers none of which is an integral power of a prime numberProving that no integer has multiplicative order 40 (mod 100)The integer $m$ is odd if and only if there exists $q in mathbbZ$ such that $m = 2q + 1$$A$ must contain two relatively prime elementsProve that for all prime numbers $ a,b,c , a^2 + b^2 neq c^2$Find all integers $x$ such that $frac2x^2-33x-1$ is an integer.Prove that integer not divisible by 2 or 3 is not divisible by 6

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If $2^n - 1$ is prime from some integer $n$, prove that n must also be prime.


$2^p -1$ then $p$ is a primeIf $2^k - 1$ is prime then $k$ is prime, using $2^m -1 vert 2^mn - 1$$2^n + 1$ is prime $ implies n$ is a power of $2$Showing that $a = 2^1264504 - 1$ is not primeHow to prove that $n$ is a prime if $2^n-1$ is a primeIf $2^n-1$ is prime, then n is prime - proof involving the Mersenne primes by counterexampleIf an integer is divisible by 8 and 15, then the integer also must be divisible by which of the following?Prove that $1$ has only one divisorProve if $3$ does not divide $n$, then $n^2=1+3k$ for some integer $k$Prove for each positive integer $n$, there exists $n$ consecutive positive integers none of which is an integral power of a prime numberProving that no integer has multiplicative order 40 (mod 100)The integer $m$ is odd if and only if there exists $q in mathbbZ$ such that $m = 2q + 1$$A$ must contain two relatively prime elementsProve that for all prime numbers $ a,b,c , a^2 + b^2 neq c^2$Find all integers $x$ such that $frac2x^2-33x-1$ is an integer.Prove that integer not divisible by 2 or 3 is not divisible by 6













10












$begingroup$


I understand the idea of the proof. I just want to make sure I wrote my proof well.



Suppose $n$ is not prime. Then $exists x,y in mathbbZ$ such that $n = xy$.



$2^xy - 1 = (2^x)^y - 1$



$ = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1)$



Since $2^n - 1$ is divisible by $2^y - 1$ it must be that $2^n - 1$ is not prime. Contradiction. Thus $n$ must be prime.



How does this look?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$







  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Exactly right. Similarly if $2^n+1$ is prime then $n$ is a power of two.
    $endgroup$
    – anon
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:00






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Don't say in $mathbbZ$, that include $(-2)(-3)=6$. And it is positive integer. And in principle you must take care of the non-prime $n=1$. And you must insist that $x$ and $y$ are $gt 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:19










  • $begingroup$
    Formally, you also need to say a word about $n=1$ (which does not satisfy the hypothesis, but since you are going by contrapositive and $n=1$ does satisfy the hypothesis of the contrapositive, namely $n$ is not prime, you need to dismiss the case (by saying $2^1-1$ is not prime) before introducing $x,y$).
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:41











  • $begingroup$
    To make the proof really complete, you have to assume $x, y > 1$, so that $2^y - 1 > 1$, and $2^y - 1$ is a proper divisor of $2^n - 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – Andreas Caranti
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:42










  • $begingroup$
    @AndreasCaranti: and $2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1>1$ (since $x>1$) so the other factor is also a proper divisor.
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:44















10












$begingroup$


I understand the idea of the proof. I just want to make sure I wrote my proof well.



Suppose $n$ is not prime. Then $exists x,y in mathbbZ$ such that $n = xy$.



$2^xy - 1 = (2^x)^y - 1$



$ = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1)$



Since $2^n - 1$ is divisible by $2^y - 1$ it must be that $2^n - 1$ is not prime. Contradiction. Thus $n$ must be prime.



How does this look?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$







  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Exactly right. Similarly if $2^n+1$ is prime then $n$ is a power of two.
    $endgroup$
    – anon
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:00






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Don't say in $mathbbZ$, that include $(-2)(-3)=6$. And it is positive integer. And in principle you must take care of the non-prime $n=1$. And you must insist that $x$ and $y$ are $gt 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:19










  • $begingroup$
    Formally, you also need to say a word about $n=1$ (which does not satisfy the hypothesis, but since you are going by contrapositive and $n=1$ does satisfy the hypothesis of the contrapositive, namely $n$ is not prime, you need to dismiss the case (by saying $2^1-1$ is not prime) before introducing $x,y$).
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:41











  • $begingroup$
    To make the proof really complete, you have to assume $x, y > 1$, so that $2^y - 1 > 1$, and $2^y - 1$ is a proper divisor of $2^n - 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – Andreas Caranti
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:42










  • $begingroup$
    @AndreasCaranti: and $2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1>1$ (since $x>1$) so the other factor is also a proper divisor.
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:44













10












10








10


6



$begingroup$


I understand the idea of the proof. I just want to make sure I wrote my proof well.



Suppose $n$ is not prime. Then $exists x,y in mathbbZ$ such that $n = xy$.



$2^xy - 1 = (2^x)^y - 1$



$ = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1)$



Since $2^n - 1$ is divisible by $2^y - 1$ it must be that $2^n - 1$ is not prime. Contradiction. Thus $n$ must be prime.



How does this look?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$




I understand the idea of the proof. I just want to make sure I wrote my proof well.



Suppose $n$ is not prime. Then $exists x,y in mathbbZ$ such that $n = xy$.



$2^xy - 1 = (2^x)^y - 1$



$ = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1)$



Since $2^n - 1$ is divisible by $2^y - 1$ it must be that $2^n - 1$ is not prime. Contradiction. Thus $n$ must be prime.



How does this look?







number-theory divisibility






share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question











share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question










asked Mar 3 '13 at 23:57









user64013user64013

219128




219128







  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Exactly right. Similarly if $2^n+1$ is prime then $n$ is a power of two.
    $endgroup$
    – anon
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:00






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Don't say in $mathbbZ$, that include $(-2)(-3)=6$. And it is positive integer. And in principle you must take care of the non-prime $n=1$. And you must insist that $x$ and $y$ are $gt 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:19










  • $begingroup$
    Formally, you also need to say a word about $n=1$ (which does not satisfy the hypothesis, but since you are going by contrapositive and $n=1$ does satisfy the hypothesis of the contrapositive, namely $n$ is not prime, you need to dismiss the case (by saying $2^1-1$ is not prime) before introducing $x,y$).
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:41











  • $begingroup$
    To make the proof really complete, you have to assume $x, y > 1$, so that $2^y - 1 > 1$, and $2^y - 1$ is a proper divisor of $2^n - 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – Andreas Caranti
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:42










  • $begingroup$
    @AndreasCaranti: and $2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1>1$ (since $x>1$) so the other factor is also a proper divisor.
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:44












  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Exactly right. Similarly if $2^n+1$ is prime then $n$ is a power of two.
    $endgroup$
    – anon
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:00






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Don't say in $mathbbZ$, that include $(-2)(-3)=6$. And it is positive integer. And in principle you must take care of the non-prime $n=1$. And you must insist that $x$ and $y$ are $gt 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Mar 4 '13 at 0:19










  • $begingroup$
    Formally, you also need to say a word about $n=1$ (which does not satisfy the hypothesis, but since you are going by contrapositive and $n=1$ does satisfy the hypothesis of the contrapositive, namely $n$ is not prime, you need to dismiss the case (by saying $2^1-1$ is not prime) before introducing $x,y$).
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:41











  • $begingroup$
    To make the proof really complete, you have to assume $x, y > 1$, so that $2^y - 1 > 1$, and $2^y - 1$ is a proper divisor of $2^n - 1$.
    $endgroup$
    – Andreas Caranti
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:42










  • $begingroup$
    @AndreasCaranti: and $2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1>1$ (since $x>1$) so the other factor is also a proper divisor.
    $endgroup$
    – Marc van Leeuwen
    Sep 17 '13 at 11:44







6




6




$begingroup$
Exactly right. Similarly if $2^n+1$ is prime then $n$ is a power of two.
$endgroup$
– anon
Mar 4 '13 at 0:00




$begingroup$
Exactly right. Similarly if $2^n+1$ is prime then $n$ is a power of two.
$endgroup$
– anon
Mar 4 '13 at 0:00




4




4




$begingroup$
Don't say in $mathbbZ$, that include $(-2)(-3)=6$. And it is positive integer. And in principle you must take care of the non-prime $n=1$. And you must insist that $x$ and $y$ are $gt 1$.
$endgroup$
– André Nicolas
Mar 4 '13 at 0:19




$begingroup$
Don't say in $mathbbZ$, that include $(-2)(-3)=6$. And it is positive integer. And in principle you must take care of the non-prime $n=1$. And you must insist that $x$ and $y$ are $gt 1$.
$endgroup$
– André Nicolas
Mar 4 '13 at 0:19












$begingroup$
Formally, you also need to say a word about $n=1$ (which does not satisfy the hypothesis, but since you are going by contrapositive and $n=1$ does satisfy the hypothesis of the contrapositive, namely $n$ is not prime, you need to dismiss the case (by saying $2^1-1$ is not prime) before introducing $x,y$).
$endgroup$
– Marc van Leeuwen
Sep 17 '13 at 11:41





$begingroup$
Formally, you also need to say a word about $n=1$ (which does not satisfy the hypothesis, but since you are going by contrapositive and $n=1$ does satisfy the hypothesis of the contrapositive, namely $n$ is not prime, you need to dismiss the case (by saying $2^1-1$ is not prime) before introducing $x,y$).
$endgroup$
– Marc van Leeuwen
Sep 17 '13 at 11:41













$begingroup$
To make the proof really complete, you have to assume $x, y > 1$, so that $2^y - 1 > 1$, and $2^y - 1$ is a proper divisor of $2^n - 1$.
$endgroup$
– Andreas Caranti
Sep 17 '13 at 11:42




$begingroup$
To make the proof really complete, you have to assume $x, y > 1$, so that $2^y - 1 > 1$, and $2^y - 1$ is a proper divisor of $2^n - 1$.
$endgroup$
– Andreas Caranti
Sep 17 '13 at 11:42












$begingroup$
@AndreasCaranti: and $2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1>1$ (since $x>1$) so the other factor is also a proper divisor.
$endgroup$
– Marc van Leeuwen
Sep 17 '13 at 11:44




$begingroup$
@AndreasCaranti: and $2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + ... + 2^y + 1>1$ (since $x>1$) so the other factor is also a proper divisor.
$endgroup$
– Marc van Leeuwen
Sep 17 '13 at 11:44










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















8












$begingroup$

I'll try to recapituate all the comments made in an adapted version of the proof.




If $2^n−1$ is prime from some integer$~n$, then $n$ must also be prime.




Since the hypothesis requires $ngeq2$ to be true, one may assume that.
We prove the contrapositive: if $ngeq2$ is not prime then $2^n-1$ is not prime either.



Suppose $ngeq2$ is not prime. Then there exist integers $x,y>1$ such that $n = xy$.



One has $2^n-1 = 2^yx - 1 = (2^y)^x - 1 = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + cdots + 2^y.1 + 2^y.0)$. Since $y>1$ the first factor $2^y - 1$ is$>1$, and since $x>1$ that factor is less than $2^n-1$.



Since $2^n - 1$ has a proper divisor $2^y - 1$ greater than$~1$, we have shown that $2^n - 1$ is composite, establishing the contrapositive.



Remark. The contrapositive statement proved remains true if powers of $2$ are replaced throughout by powers of some integer $ageq2$. However with that change it is no longer true that the original hypothesis requires $ngeq2$, as $n=1$ might work. Therefore such a generalisation of the original statement requires an explicit additional hypothesis $ngeq2$.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$




















    6












    $begingroup$

    Perhaps a minor nit-pick, but it seems the middle step should be $((2^y)^x-1)$, since you're utilizing the identity $$a^x-1=(a-1)(a^x-1+a^x-2+cdots+a+1)$$ with $a=2^y$.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$




















      0












      $begingroup$

      This feels more like proof by contrapositive than proof by contradiction. Also, although obvious, without conditions on n,x,y it is not clear that $2^y-1$ can't be 1.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
        $endgroup$
        – user64013
        Mar 4 '13 at 0:11










      • $begingroup$
        yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
        $endgroup$
        – newToProgramming
        Mar 4 '13 at 0:15










      • $begingroup$
        Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
        $endgroup$
        – user64013
        Mar 4 '13 at 3:06










      • $begingroup$
        In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
        $endgroup$
        – newToProgramming
        Mar 4 '13 at 3:16











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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      8












      $begingroup$

      I'll try to recapituate all the comments made in an adapted version of the proof.




      If $2^n−1$ is prime from some integer$~n$, then $n$ must also be prime.




      Since the hypothesis requires $ngeq2$ to be true, one may assume that.
      We prove the contrapositive: if $ngeq2$ is not prime then $2^n-1$ is not prime either.



      Suppose $ngeq2$ is not prime. Then there exist integers $x,y>1$ such that $n = xy$.



      One has $2^n-1 = 2^yx - 1 = (2^y)^x - 1 = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + cdots + 2^y.1 + 2^y.0)$. Since $y>1$ the first factor $2^y - 1$ is$>1$, and since $x>1$ that factor is less than $2^n-1$.



      Since $2^n - 1$ has a proper divisor $2^y - 1$ greater than$~1$, we have shown that $2^n - 1$ is composite, establishing the contrapositive.



      Remark. The contrapositive statement proved remains true if powers of $2$ are replaced throughout by powers of some integer $ageq2$. However with that change it is no longer true that the original hypothesis requires $ngeq2$, as $n=1$ might work. Therefore such a generalisation of the original statement requires an explicit additional hypothesis $ngeq2$.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$

















        8












        $begingroup$

        I'll try to recapituate all the comments made in an adapted version of the proof.




        If $2^n−1$ is prime from some integer$~n$, then $n$ must also be prime.




        Since the hypothesis requires $ngeq2$ to be true, one may assume that.
        We prove the contrapositive: if $ngeq2$ is not prime then $2^n-1$ is not prime either.



        Suppose $ngeq2$ is not prime. Then there exist integers $x,y>1$ such that $n = xy$.



        One has $2^n-1 = 2^yx - 1 = (2^y)^x - 1 = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + cdots + 2^y.1 + 2^y.0)$. Since $y>1$ the first factor $2^y - 1$ is$>1$, and since $x>1$ that factor is less than $2^n-1$.



        Since $2^n - 1$ has a proper divisor $2^y - 1$ greater than$~1$, we have shown that $2^n - 1$ is composite, establishing the contrapositive.



        Remark. The contrapositive statement proved remains true if powers of $2$ are replaced throughout by powers of some integer $ageq2$. However with that change it is no longer true that the original hypothesis requires $ngeq2$, as $n=1$ might work. Therefore such a generalisation of the original statement requires an explicit additional hypothesis $ngeq2$.






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$















          8












          8








          8





          $begingroup$

          I'll try to recapituate all the comments made in an adapted version of the proof.




          If $2^n−1$ is prime from some integer$~n$, then $n$ must also be prime.




          Since the hypothesis requires $ngeq2$ to be true, one may assume that.
          We prove the contrapositive: if $ngeq2$ is not prime then $2^n-1$ is not prime either.



          Suppose $ngeq2$ is not prime. Then there exist integers $x,y>1$ such that $n = xy$.



          One has $2^n-1 = 2^yx - 1 = (2^y)^x - 1 = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + cdots + 2^y.1 + 2^y.0)$. Since $y>1$ the first factor $2^y - 1$ is$>1$, and since $x>1$ that factor is less than $2^n-1$.



          Since $2^n - 1$ has a proper divisor $2^y - 1$ greater than$~1$, we have shown that $2^n - 1$ is composite, establishing the contrapositive.



          Remark. The contrapositive statement proved remains true if powers of $2$ are replaced throughout by powers of some integer $ageq2$. However with that change it is no longer true that the original hypothesis requires $ngeq2$, as $n=1$ might work. Therefore such a generalisation of the original statement requires an explicit additional hypothesis $ngeq2$.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          I'll try to recapituate all the comments made in an adapted version of the proof.




          If $2^n−1$ is prime from some integer$~n$, then $n$ must also be prime.




          Since the hypothesis requires $ngeq2$ to be true, one may assume that.
          We prove the contrapositive: if $ngeq2$ is not prime then $2^n-1$ is not prime either.



          Suppose $ngeq2$ is not prime. Then there exist integers $x,y>1$ such that $n = xy$.



          One has $2^n-1 = 2^yx - 1 = (2^y)^x - 1 = (2^y - 1)(2^y(x-1) + 2^y(x-2) + cdots + 2^y.1 + 2^y.0)$. Since $y>1$ the first factor $2^y - 1$ is$>1$, and since $x>1$ that factor is less than $2^n-1$.



          Since $2^n - 1$ has a proper divisor $2^y - 1$ greater than$~1$, we have shown that $2^n - 1$ is composite, establishing the contrapositive.



          Remark. The contrapositive statement proved remains true if powers of $2$ are replaced throughout by powers of some integer $ageq2$. However with that change it is no longer true that the original hypothesis requires $ngeq2$, as $n=1$ might work. Therefore such a generalisation of the original statement requires an explicit additional hypothesis $ngeq2$.







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited Sep 18 '13 at 13:37


























          community wiki





          3 revs
          Marc van Leeuwen






















              6












              $begingroup$

              Perhaps a minor nit-pick, but it seems the middle step should be $((2^y)^x-1)$, since you're utilizing the identity $$a^x-1=(a-1)(a^x-1+a^x-2+cdots+a+1)$$ with $a=2^y$.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$

















                6












                $begingroup$

                Perhaps a minor nit-pick, but it seems the middle step should be $((2^y)^x-1)$, since you're utilizing the identity $$a^x-1=(a-1)(a^x-1+a^x-2+cdots+a+1)$$ with $a=2^y$.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$















                  6












                  6








                  6





                  $begingroup$

                  Perhaps a minor nit-pick, but it seems the middle step should be $((2^y)^x-1)$, since you're utilizing the identity $$a^x-1=(a-1)(a^x-1+a^x-2+cdots+a+1)$$ with $a=2^y$.






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  Perhaps a minor nit-pick, but it seems the middle step should be $((2^y)^x-1)$, since you're utilizing the identity $$a^x-1=(a-1)(a^x-1+a^x-2+cdots+a+1)$$ with $a=2^y$.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Sep 17 '13 at 11:29









                  Rebecca J. StonesRebecca J. Stones

                  21k22781




                  21k22781





















                      0












                      $begingroup$

                      This feels more like proof by contrapositive than proof by contradiction. Also, although obvious, without conditions on n,x,y it is not clear that $2^y-1$ can't be 1.






                      share|cite|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$












                      • $begingroup$
                        Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:11










                      • $begingroup$
                        yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:15










                      • $begingroup$
                        Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:06










                      • $begingroup$
                        In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:16
















                      0












                      $begingroup$

                      This feels more like proof by contrapositive than proof by contradiction. Also, although obvious, without conditions on n,x,y it is not clear that $2^y-1$ can't be 1.






                      share|cite|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$












                      • $begingroup$
                        Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:11










                      • $begingroup$
                        yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:15










                      • $begingroup$
                        Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:06










                      • $begingroup$
                        In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:16














                      0












                      0








                      0





                      $begingroup$

                      This feels more like proof by contrapositive than proof by contradiction. Also, although obvious, without conditions on n,x,y it is not clear that $2^y-1$ can't be 1.






                      share|cite|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$



                      This feels more like proof by contrapositive than proof by contradiction. Also, although obvious, without conditions on n,x,y it is not clear that $2^y-1$ can't be 1.







                      share|cite|improve this answer












                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer










                      answered Mar 4 '13 at 0:09









                      newToProgrammingnewToProgramming

                      1755




                      1755











                      • $begingroup$
                        Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:11










                      • $begingroup$
                        yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:15










                      • $begingroup$
                        Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:06










                      • $begingroup$
                        In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:16

















                      • $begingroup$
                        Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:11










                      • $begingroup$
                        yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 0:15










                      • $begingroup$
                        Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
                        $endgroup$
                        – user64013
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:06










                      • $begingroup$
                        In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
                        $endgroup$
                        – newToProgramming
                        Mar 4 '13 at 3:16
















                      $begingroup$
                      Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
                      $endgroup$
                      – user64013
                      Mar 4 '13 at 0:11




                      $begingroup$
                      Should I say that $x$ and $y$ have to be greater then $1$ then?
                      $endgroup$
                      – user64013
                      Mar 4 '13 at 0:11












                      $begingroup$
                      yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
                      $endgroup$
                      – newToProgramming
                      Mar 4 '13 at 0:15




                      $begingroup$
                      yes, and you are also implicitly assuming $ngt1$
                      $endgroup$
                      – newToProgramming
                      Mar 4 '13 at 0:15












                      $begingroup$
                      Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
                      $endgroup$
                      – user64013
                      Mar 4 '13 at 3:06




                      $begingroup$
                      Whats the reasoning x and y cant be 1?
                      $endgroup$
                      – user64013
                      Mar 4 '13 at 3:06












                      $begingroup$
                      In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
                      $endgroup$
                      – newToProgramming
                      Mar 4 '13 at 3:16





                      $begingroup$
                      In your proof, you state $2^n-1$ is divisible by $2^y-1$ and use this to conclude that $2^n-1$ is not prime, however consider what happens if $y$ is 1, can you still justify that same conclusion?
                      $endgroup$
                      – newToProgramming
                      Mar 4 '13 at 3:16


















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