Prove that there are an infinite amount of positive square free integers $n$ such that $nmid2015^n-1$Proving that $n$ doesn't divide $2^n - 1$ for any integer $n > 1$How to find all positive integers $m,n$ such that $3^m+4^n$ is a perfect square?There exist arbitrarily long sequences of consecutive integers that are not square-freeProve for each positive integer $n$, there exists $n$ consecutive positive integers none of which is an integral power of a prime numberProve that there are no positive integers $a$ and $b$, such that $b^4 + b + 1 = a^4$Recall that an integer is said to be square-free if it is not divisible by the square of any prime. Prove that for any positive integer $n$…Several different positive integers lie strictly between two successive squares. Prove that their pairwise products are also different.Proof that the product of 7 successive positive integers is not a square.How many order triple (a,b,c) are there such that $a.b.c le 1000$There are relatively prime positive integers $m,n$ such that $b-a = fracmn$. Find $m+n$Find all pairs of positive integers $(a,b)$ such that $2^a+5^b$ is a perfect square.

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Prove that there are an infinite amount of positive square free integers $n$ such that $nmid2015^n-1$


Proving that $n$ doesn't divide $2^n - 1$ for any integer $n > 1$How to find all positive integers $m,n$ such that $3^m+4^n$ is a perfect square?There exist arbitrarily long sequences of consecutive integers that are not square-freeProve for each positive integer $n$, there exists $n$ consecutive positive integers none of which is an integral power of a prime numberProve that there are no positive integers $a$ and $b$, such that $b^4 + b + 1 = a^4$Recall that an integer is said to be square-free if it is not divisible by the square of any prime. Prove that for any positive integer $n$…Several different positive integers lie strictly between two successive squares. Prove that their pairwise products are also different.Proof that the product of 7 successive positive integers is not a square.How many order triple (a,b,c) are there such that $a.b.c le 1000$There are relatively prime positive integers $m,n$ such that $b-a = fracmn$. Find $m+n$Find all pairs of positive integers $(a,b)$ such that $2^a+5^b$ is a perfect square.













3












$begingroup$


Problem: Prove that there are an infinite amount of positive square free integers $n$ such that $nmid2015^n-1$



I have no idea how to solve this one and I haven't found any good results yet. Would be really nice if someone knew how to solve this problem. Thanks in advance.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    Are you sure you want $2015^n$ and not, maybe, $2015^n-1$?
    $endgroup$
    – Dirk
    Mar 21 at 12:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Dirk I had this in a test sometime ago and I'm pretty sure that it was $2015^n$.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    Can you give us a link? You know "seeing is believing".
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    It is perhaps worth noting that finding $nge 2$ with $nmid a^n-1$ is not always easy. For $a=2$ it is impossible, see this post. So let's first make abosultely sure that there is no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 14:10











  • $begingroup$
    @DietrichBurde There's no link to the problem (if that was what you meant) as it was in a test and I'm very certain that there's no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 19:29















3












$begingroup$


Problem: Prove that there are an infinite amount of positive square free integers $n$ such that $nmid2015^n-1$



I have no idea how to solve this one and I haven't found any good results yet. Would be really nice if someone knew how to solve this problem. Thanks in advance.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    Are you sure you want $2015^n$ and not, maybe, $2015^n-1$?
    $endgroup$
    – Dirk
    Mar 21 at 12:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Dirk I had this in a test sometime ago and I'm pretty sure that it was $2015^n$.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    Can you give us a link? You know "seeing is believing".
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    It is perhaps worth noting that finding $nge 2$ with $nmid a^n-1$ is not always easy. For $a=2$ it is impossible, see this post. So let's first make abosultely sure that there is no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 14:10











  • $begingroup$
    @DietrichBurde There's no link to the problem (if that was what you meant) as it was in a test and I'm very certain that there's no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 19:29













3












3








3


1



$begingroup$


Problem: Prove that there are an infinite amount of positive square free integers $n$ such that $nmid2015^n-1$



I have no idea how to solve this one and I haven't found any good results yet. Would be really nice if someone knew how to solve this problem. Thanks in advance.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




Problem: Prove that there are an infinite amount of positive square free integers $n$ such that $nmid2015^n-1$



I have no idea how to solve this one and I haven't found any good results yet. Would be really nice if someone knew how to solve this problem. Thanks in advance.







number-theory contest-math






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Mar 21 at 13:08







someone

















asked Mar 21 at 12:20









someonesomeone

2116




2116











  • $begingroup$
    Are you sure you want $2015^n$ and not, maybe, $2015^n-1$?
    $endgroup$
    – Dirk
    Mar 21 at 12:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Dirk I had this in a test sometime ago and I'm pretty sure that it was $2015^n$.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    Can you give us a link? You know "seeing is believing".
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    It is perhaps worth noting that finding $nge 2$ with $nmid a^n-1$ is not always easy. For $a=2$ it is impossible, see this post. So let's first make abosultely sure that there is no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 14:10











  • $begingroup$
    @DietrichBurde There's no link to the problem (if that was what you meant) as it was in a test and I'm very certain that there's no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 19:29
















  • $begingroup$
    Are you sure you want $2015^n$ and not, maybe, $2015^n-1$?
    $endgroup$
    – Dirk
    Mar 21 at 12:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Dirk I had this in a test sometime ago and I'm pretty sure that it was $2015^n$.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    Can you give us a link? You know "seeing is believing".
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 13:13










  • $begingroup$
    It is perhaps worth noting that finding $nge 2$ with $nmid a^n-1$ is not always easy. For $a=2$ it is impossible, see this post. So let's first make abosultely sure that there is no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Mar 21 at 14:10











  • $begingroup$
    @DietrichBurde There's no link to the problem (if that was what you meant) as it was in a test and I'm very certain that there's no typo.
    $endgroup$
    – someone
    Mar 21 at 19:29















$begingroup$
Are you sure you want $2015^n$ and not, maybe, $2015^n-1$?
$endgroup$
– Dirk
Mar 21 at 12:22




$begingroup$
Are you sure you want $2015^n$ and not, maybe, $2015^n-1$?
$endgroup$
– Dirk
Mar 21 at 12:22












$begingroup$
@Dirk I had this in a test sometime ago and I'm pretty sure that it was $2015^n$.
$endgroup$
– someone
Mar 21 at 13:13




$begingroup$
@Dirk I had this in a test sometime ago and I'm pretty sure that it was $2015^n$.
$endgroup$
– someone
Mar 21 at 13:13












$begingroup$
Can you give us a link? You know "seeing is believing".
$endgroup$
– Dietrich Burde
Mar 21 at 13:13




$begingroup$
Can you give us a link? You know "seeing is believing".
$endgroup$
– Dietrich Burde
Mar 21 at 13:13












$begingroup$
It is perhaps worth noting that finding $nge 2$ with $nmid a^n-1$ is not always easy. For $a=2$ it is impossible, see this post. So let's first make abosultely sure that there is no typo.
$endgroup$
– Dietrich Burde
Mar 21 at 14:10





$begingroup$
It is perhaps worth noting that finding $nge 2$ with $nmid a^n-1$ is not always easy. For $a=2$ it is impossible, see this post. So let's first make abosultely sure that there is no typo.
$endgroup$
– Dietrich Burde
Mar 21 at 14:10













$begingroup$
@DietrichBurde There's no link to the problem (if that was what you meant) as it was in a test and I'm very certain that there's no typo.
$endgroup$
– someone
Mar 21 at 19:29




$begingroup$
@DietrichBurde There's no link to the problem (if that was what you meant) as it was in a test and I'm very certain that there's no typo.
$endgroup$
– someone
Mar 21 at 19:29










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















6












$begingroup$

Let $a$ be an integer which is odd and greater than $1$ such that $a - 1$ has an odd prime factor. (In particular, $2015$ is such an integer.) Then there exists an infinite sequence $p_1$, $p_2$, ... of distinct odd primes such that, for any $k ge 1$, the following conditions hold:



(i) $p_1cdots p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k - 1$ and



(ii) $p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k-1 - 1$.



Condition (i) provides the squarefree values of $n$ asked for in the question; condition (ii) will be needed for the proof which is by induction on $k$.



For $k = 1$: Let $p_1$ be an odd prime factor of $a - 1$. Then $p_1 mid a - 1$ (which is condition (ii)), so $p_1 mid a^p_1 - 1$ (which is condition (i)).



For $k gt 1$: Let $P = p_1 cdots p_k-1$ and let $A = a^P$; then, by induction (condition (i)), we have $Pmid A-1$. Suppose that $p_k$ is an odd prime other than $p_1,ldots,p_k-1$ that divides $A-1$, thereby satisfying condition (ii). Then $Pcdot p_k mid A - 1$, so $Pcdot p_k mid A^p_k - 1 = a^Pcdot p_k - 1$, satisfying condition (i).



It remains only to show that a suitable prime $p_k$ always exists. That will take most of the rest of this long post.



First, some notation: When $p$ is a prime, $p^r midmid m$ means that $p^r$ "exactly divides" $m$; that is, $p^r$ divides $m$, but $p^r+1$ does not.



Lemma $1$: If $p$ is an odd prime, $rge 1$ and $p^rmidmid a - 1$, then $p^r+1midmid a^p - 1$.



Write $a - 1 = mp^r$, where $p$ does not divide $m$.
Then $a = 1 + mp^r$ and
$$
a^p = (1 + mp^r)^p = 1 + mp^r+1 + binomp2 m^2 p^2r + (textterms in higher powers of p).
$$

Since $p$ is an odd prime, $p$ divides $binomp2$, so
$$
a^p - 1 = p^r+1(m + (texta multiple of p^r)).
$$

Since $rge1$, that establishes the lemma.



Lemma $2$: If $p$ is a prime and $pmid a-1$, then $operatornamegcd(a - 1, dfraca^p-1a-1) = p$.



By Lemma $1$, if $p^kmidmid a-1$, then $p^k+1midmid a^p - 1$, so $pmidmid dfraca^p-1a-1$. Hence the GCD is a multiple of $p$.



On the other hand,
$$
fraca^p-1a-1 = 1 + a + a^2 +cdots + a^p-1.
$$

Reducing this $bmod a-1$, we have
$$
fraca^p-1a-1 equiv 1 + 1 + 1 +cdots + 1 equiv p pmoda-1.
$$

That is, there is some integer $t$ such that $dfraca^p-1a-1 = (a-1)t + p$, so
$p = dfraca^p-1a-1 - (a-1)t$. Thus the GCD divides $p$.



Hence, the GCD is $p$.



Finally, return to the induction step. Let $Q = P/p_k-1$; then condition (ii) of the induction hypothesis says that $p_k-1mid a^Q - 1$; likewise all the preceding $p_i$ (if any) divide $a^Q - 1$ by condition (i) of the preceding induction step (if any). Thus $p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^Q - 1$, so
$$
p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^P - 1 = (a^Q - 1) fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1.
$$

By Lemma $2$, the GCD of the two factors on the right is $p_k-1$, so none of the other $p_i$ divide $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$.
Writing
$$
fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1 = 1 + a^Q + a^2Q + cdots + a^(p_k-1-1)Q,
$$

one sees that this factor is the sum of $p_k-1$ odd terms, and thus odd, and $gt p_k-1$, since $a gt 1$. By Lemma $1$, $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ is not divisible by $p_k-1^2$, so $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ cannot be a power of $p_k-1$. Thus there is some odd prime $p_k$ that divides it (and thus $a^P - 1$) which is distinct from the preceding $p_i$. That completes the proof.



A numerical example may help to clarify the process. Let $a = 2015$, so $a-1 = 2cdot19cdot53$. Take $p_1 = 19$; then $19mid 2015 - 1$ and $19mid 2015^19 - 1$.
The lengthy argument above shows that $dfrac2015^19 - 12015 - 1$ is divisible by $19$, but not $19^2$. In fact, $$
frac2015^19 - 12015 - 1 = 19cdot 22186954931 cdot (texta 48text-digit prime).
$$

Let $p_2 = 22186954931$, so $p_2mid 2015^19 - 1$ and $19 p_2 mid 2015^19 p_2 - 1$.
To no one's surprise, and as has been proved, $2015^19 p_2 - 1$ will contain at least one new odd prime factor that can be taken as $p_3$. And so on.






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    6












    $begingroup$

    Let $a$ be an integer which is odd and greater than $1$ such that $a - 1$ has an odd prime factor. (In particular, $2015$ is such an integer.) Then there exists an infinite sequence $p_1$, $p_2$, ... of distinct odd primes such that, for any $k ge 1$, the following conditions hold:



    (i) $p_1cdots p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k - 1$ and



    (ii) $p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k-1 - 1$.



    Condition (i) provides the squarefree values of $n$ asked for in the question; condition (ii) will be needed for the proof which is by induction on $k$.



    For $k = 1$: Let $p_1$ be an odd prime factor of $a - 1$. Then $p_1 mid a - 1$ (which is condition (ii)), so $p_1 mid a^p_1 - 1$ (which is condition (i)).



    For $k gt 1$: Let $P = p_1 cdots p_k-1$ and let $A = a^P$; then, by induction (condition (i)), we have $Pmid A-1$. Suppose that $p_k$ is an odd prime other than $p_1,ldots,p_k-1$ that divides $A-1$, thereby satisfying condition (ii). Then $Pcdot p_k mid A - 1$, so $Pcdot p_k mid A^p_k - 1 = a^Pcdot p_k - 1$, satisfying condition (i).



    It remains only to show that a suitable prime $p_k$ always exists. That will take most of the rest of this long post.



    First, some notation: When $p$ is a prime, $p^r midmid m$ means that $p^r$ "exactly divides" $m$; that is, $p^r$ divides $m$, but $p^r+1$ does not.



    Lemma $1$: If $p$ is an odd prime, $rge 1$ and $p^rmidmid a - 1$, then $p^r+1midmid a^p - 1$.



    Write $a - 1 = mp^r$, where $p$ does not divide $m$.
    Then $a = 1 + mp^r$ and
    $$
    a^p = (1 + mp^r)^p = 1 + mp^r+1 + binomp2 m^2 p^2r + (textterms in higher powers of p).
    $$

    Since $p$ is an odd prime, $p$ divides $binomp2$, so
    $$
    a^p - 1 = p^r+1(m + (texta multiple of p^r)).
    $$

    Since $rge1$, that establishes the lemma.



    Lemma $2$: If $p$ is a prime and $pmid a-1$, then $operatornamegcd(a - 1, dfraca^p-1a-1) = p$.



    By Lemma $1$, if $p^kmidmid a-1$, then $p^k+1midmid a^p - 1$, so $pmidmid dfraca^p-1a-1$. Hence the GCD is a multiple of $p$.



    On the other hand,
    $$
    fraca^p-1a-1 = 1 + a + a^2 +cdots + a^p-1.
    $$

    Reducing this $bmod a-1$, we have
    $$
    fraca^p-1a-1 equiv 1 + 1 + 1 +cdots + 1 equiv p pmoda-1.
    $$

    That is, there is some integer $t$ such that $dfraca^p-1a-1 = (a-1)t + p$, so
    $p = dfraca^p-1a-1 - (a-1)t$. Thus the GCD divides $p$.



    Hence, the GCD is $p$.



    Finally, return to the induction step. Let $Q = P/p_k-1$; then condition (ii) of the induction hypothesis says that $p_k-1mid a^Q - 1$; likewise all the preceding $p_i$ (if any) divide $a^Q - 1$ by condition (i) of the preceding induction step (if any). Thus $p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^Q - 1$, so
    $$
    p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^P - 1 = (a^Q - 1) fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1.
    $$

    By Lemma $2$, the GCD of the two factors on the right is $p_k-1$, so none of the other $p_i$ divide $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$.
    Writing
    $$
    fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1 = 1 + a^Q + a^2Q + cdots + a^(p_k-1-1)Q,
    $$

    one sees that this factor is the sum of $p_k-1$ odd terms, and thus odd, and $gt p_k-1$, since $a gt 1$. By Lemma $1$, $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ is not divisible by $p_k-1^2$, so $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ cannot be a power of $p_k-1$. Thus there is some odd prime $p_k$ that divides it (and thus $a^P - 1$) which is distinct from the preceding $p_i$. That completes the proof.



    A numerical example may help to clarify the process. Let $a = 2015$, so $a-1 = 2cdot19cdot53$. Take $p_1 = 19$; then $19mid 2015 - 1$ and $19mid 2015^19 - 1$.
    The lengthy argument above shows that $dfrac2015^19 - 12015 - 1$ is divisible by $19$, but not $19^2$. In fact, $$
    frac2015^19 - 12015 - 1 = 19cdot 22186954931 cdot (texta 48text-digit prime).
    $$

    Let $p_2 = 22186954931$, so $p_2mid 2015^19 - 1$ and $19 p_2 mid 2015^19 p_2 - 1$.
    To no one's surprise, and as has been proved, $2015^19 p_2 - 1$ will contain at least one new odd prime factor that can be taken as $p_3$. And so on.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$

















      6












      $begingroup$

      Let $a$ be an integer which is odd and greater than $1$ such that $a - 1$ has an odd prime factor. (In particular, $2015$ is such an integer.) Then there exists an infinite sequence $p_1$, $p_2$, ... of distinct odd primes such that, for any $k ge 1$, the following conditions hold:



      (i) $p_1cdots p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k - 1$ and



      (ii) $p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k-1 - 1$.



      Condition (i) provides the squarefree values of $n$ asked for in the question; condition (ii) will be needed for the proof which is by induction on $k$.



      For $k = 1$: Let $p_1$ be an odd prime factor of $a - 1$. Then $p_1 mid a - 1$ (which is condition (ii)), so $p_1 mid a^p_1 - 1$ (which is condition (i)).



      For $k gt 1$: Let $P = p_1 cdots p_k-1$ and let $A = a^P$; then, by induction (condition (i)), we have $Pmid A-1$. Suppose that $p_k$ is an odd prime other than $p_1,ldots,p_k-1$ that divides $A-1$, thereby satisfying condition (ii). Then $Pcdot p_k mid A - 1$, so $Pcdot p_k mid A^p_k - 1 = a^Pcdot p_k - 1$, satisfying condition (i).



      It remains only to show that a suitable prime $p_k$ always exists. That will take most of the rest of this long post.



      First, some notation: When $p$ is a prime, $p^r midmid m$ means that $p^r$ "exactly divides" $m$; that is, $p^r$ divides $m$, but $p^r+1$ does not.



      Lemma $1$: If $p$ is an odd prime, $rge 1$ and $p^rmidmid a - 1$, then $p^r+1midmid a^p - 1$.



      Write $a - 1 = mp^r$, where $p$ does not divide $m$.
      Then $a = 1 + mp^r$ and
      $$
      a^p = (1 + mp^r)^p = 1 + mp^r+1 + binomp2 m^2 p^2r + (textterms in higher powers of p).
      $$

      Since $p$ is an odd prime, $p$ divides $binomp2$, so
      $$
      a^p - 1 = p^r+1(m + (texta multiple of p^r)).
      $$

      Since $rge1$, that establishes the lemma.



      Lemma $2$: If $p$ is a prime and $pmid a-1$, then $operatornamegcd(a - 1, dfraca^p-1a-1) = p$.



      By Lemma $1$, if $p^kmidmid a-1$, then $p^k+1midmid a^p - 1$, so $pmidmid dfraca^p-1a-1$. Hence the GCD is a multiple of $p$.



      On the other hand,
      $$
      fraca^p-1a-1 = 1 + a + a^2 +cdots + a^p-1.
      $$

      Reducing this $bmod a-1$, we have
      $$
      fraca^p-1a-1 equiv 1 + 1 + 1 +cdots + 1 equiv p pmoda-1.
      $$

      That is, there is some integer $t$ such that $dfraca^p-1a-1 = (a-1)t + p$, so
      $p = dfraca^p-1a-1 - (a-1)t$. Thus the GCD divides $p$.



      Hence, the GCD is $p$.



      Finally, return to the induction step. Let $Q = P/p_k-1$; then condition (ii) of the induction hypothesis says that $p_k-1mid a^Q - 1$; likewise all the preceding $p_i$ (if any) divide $a^Q - 1$ by condition (i) of the preceding induction step (if any). Thus $p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^Q - 1$, so
      $$
      p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^P - 1 = (a^Q - 1) fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1.
      $$

      By Lemma $2$, the GCD of the two factors on the right is $p_k-1$, so none of the other $p_i$ divide $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$.
      Writing
      $$
      fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1 = 1 + a^Q + a^2Q + cdots + a^(p_k-1-1)Q,
      $$

      one sees that this factor is the sum of $p_k-1$ odd terms, and thus odd, and $gt p_k-1$, since $a gt 1$. By Lemma $1$, $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ is not divisible by $p_k-1^2$, so $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ cannot be a power of $p_k-1$. Thus there is some odd prime $p_k$ that divides it (and thus $a^P - 1$) which is distinct from the preceding $p_i$. That completes the proof.



      A numerical example may help to clarify the process. Let $a = 2015$, so $a-1 = 2cdot19cdot53$. Take $p_1 = 19$; then $19mid 2015 - 1$ and $19mid 2015^19 - 1$.
      The lengthy argument above shows that $dfrac2015^19 - 12015 - 1$ is divisible by $19$, but not $19^2$. In fact, $$
      frac2015^19 - 12015 - 1 = 19cdot 22186954931 cdot (texta 48text-digit prime).
      $$

      Let $p_2 = 22186954931$, so $p_2mid 2015^19 - 1$ and $19 p_2 mid 2015^19 p_2 - 1$.
      To no one's surprise, and as has been proved, $2015^19 p_2 - 1$ will contain at least one new odd prime factor that can be taken as $p_3$. And so on.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$















        6












        6








        6





        $begingroup$

        Let $a$ be an integer which is odd and greater than $1$ such that $a - 1$ has an odd prime factor. (In particular, $2015$ is such an integer.) Then there exists an infinite sequence $p_1$, $p_2$, ... of distinct odd primes such that, for any $k ge 1$, the following conditions hold:



        (i) $p_1cdots p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k - 1$ and



        (ii) $p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k-1 - 1$.



        Condition (i) provides the squarefree values of $n$ asked for in the question; condition (ii) will be needed for the proof which is by induction on $k$.



        For $k = 1$: Let $p_1$ be an odd prime factor of $a - 1$. Then $p_1 mid a - 1$ (which is condition (ii)), so $p_1 mid a^p_1 - 1$ (which is condition (i)).



        For $k gt 1$: Let $P = p_1 cdots p_k-1$ and let $A = a^P$; then, by induction (condition (i)), we have $Pmid A-1$. Suppose that $p_k$ is an odd prime other than $p_1,ldots,p_k-1$ that divides $A-1$, thereby satisfying condition (ii). Then $Pcdot p_k mid A - 1$, so $Pcdot p_k mid A^p_k - 1 = a^Pcdot p_k - 1$, satisfying condition (i).



        It remains only to show that a suitable prime $p_k$ always exists. That will take most of the rest of this long post.



        First, some notation: When $p$ is a prime, $p^r midmid m$ means that $p^r$ "exactly divides" $m$; that is, $p^r$ divides $m$, but $p^r+1$ does not.



        Lemma $1$: If $p$ is an odd prime, $rge 1$ and $p^rmidmid a - 1$, then $p^r+1midmid a^p - 1$.



        Write $a - 1 = mp^r$, where $p$ does not divide $m$.
        Then $a = 1 + mp^r$ and
        $$
        a^p = (1 + mp^r)^p = 1 + mp^r+1 + binomp2 m^2 p^2r + (textterms in higher powers of p).
        $$

        Since $p$ is an odd prime, $p$ divides $binomp2$, so
        $$
        a^p - 1 = p^r+1(m + (texta multiple of p^r)).
        $$

        Since $rge1$, that establishes the lemma.



        Lemma $2$: If $p$ is a prime and $pmid a-1$, then $operatornamegcd(a - 1, dfraca^p-1a-1) = p$.



        By Lemma $1$, if $p^kmidmid a-1$, then $p^k+1midmid a^p - 1$, so $pmidmid dfraca^p-1a-1$. Hence the GCD is a multiple of $p$.



        On the other hand,
        $$
        fraca^p-1a-1 = 1 + a + a^2 +cdots + a^p-1.
        $$

        Reducing this $bmod a-1$, we have
        $$
        fraca^p-1a-1 equiv 1 + 1 + 1 +cdots + 1 equiv p pmoda-1.
        $$

        That is, there is some integer $t$ such that $dfraca^p-1a-1 = (a-1)t + p$, so
        $p = dfraca^p-1a-1 - (a-1)t$. Thus the GCD divides $p$.



        Hence, the GCD is $p$.



        Finally, return to the induction step. Let $Q = P/p_k-1$; then condition (ii) of the induction hypothesis says that $p_k-1mid a^Q - 1$; likewise all the preceding $p_i$ (if any) divide $a^Q - 1$ by condition (i) of the preceding induction step (if any). Thus $p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^Q - 1$, so
        $$
        p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^P - 1 = (a^Q - 1) fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1.
        $$

        By Lemma $2$, the GCD of the two factors on the right is $p_k-1$, so none of the other $p_i$ divide $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$.
        Writing
        $$
        fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1 = 1 + a^Q + a^2Q + cdots + a^(p_k-1-1)Q,
        $$

        one sees that this factor is the sum of $p_k-1$ odd terms, and thus odd, and $gt p_k-1$, since $a gt 1$. By Lemma $1$, $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ is not divisible by $p_k-1^2$, so $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ cannot be a power of $p_k-1$. Thus there is some odd prime $p_k$ that divides it (and thus $a^P - 1$) which is distinct from the preceding $p_i$. That completes the proof.



        A numerical example may help to clarify the process. Let $a = 2015$, so $a-1 = 2cdot19cdot53$. Take $p_1 = 19$; then $19mid 2015 - 1$ and $19mid 2015^19 - 1$.
        The lengthy argument above shows that $dfrac2015^19 - 12015 - 1$ is divisible by $19$, but not $19^2$. In fact, $$
        frac2015^19 - 12015 - 1 = 19cdot 22186954931 cdot (texta 48text-digit prime).
        $$

        Let $p_2 = 22186954931$, so $p_2mid 2015^19 - 1$ and $19 p_2 mid 2015^19 p_2 - 1$.
        To no one's surprise, and as has been proved, $2015^19 p_2 - 1$ will contain at least one new odd prime factor that can be taken as $p_3$. And so on.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        Let $a$ be an integer which is odd and greater than $1$ such that $a - 1$ has an odd prime factor. (In particular, $2015$ is such an integer.) Then there exists an infinite sequence $p_1$, $p_2$, ... of distinct odd primes such that, for any $k ge 1$, the following conditions hold:



        (i) $p_1cdots p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k - 1$ and



        (ii) $p_k mid a^p_1cdots p_k-1 - 1$.



        Condition (i) provides the squarefree values of $n$ asked for in the question; condition (ii) will be needed for the proof which is by induction on $k$.



        For $k = 1$: Let $p_1$ be an odd prime factor of $a - 1$. Then $p_1 mid a - 1$ (which is condition (ii)), so $p_1 mid a^p_1 - 1$ (which is condition (i)).



        For $k gt 1$: Let $P = p_1 cdots p_k-1$ and let $A = a^P$; then, by induction (condition (i)), we have $Pmid A-1$. Suppose that $p_k$ is an odd prime other than $p_1,ldots,p_k-1$ that divides $A-1$, thereby satisfying condition (ii). Then $Pcdot p_k mid A - 1$, so $Pcdot p_k mid A^p_k - 1 = a^Pcdot p_k - 1$, satisfying condition (i).



        It remains only to show that a suitable prime $p_k$ always exists. That will take most of the rest of this long post.



        First, some notation: When $p$ is a prime, $p^r midmid m$ means that $p^r$ "exactly divides" $m$; that is, $p^r$ divides $m$, but $p^r+1$ does not.



        Lemma $1$: If $p$ is an odd prime, $rge 1$ and $p^rmidmid a - 1$, then $p^r+1midmid a^p - 1$.



        Write $a - 1 = mp^r$, where $p$ does not divide $m$.
        Then $a = 1 + mp^r$ and
        $$
        a^p = (1 + mp^r)^p = 1 + mp^r+1 + binomp2 m^2 p^2r + (textterms in higher powers of p).
        $$

        Since $p$ is an odd prime, $p$ divides $binomp2$, so
        $$
        a^p - 1 = p^r+1(m + (texta multiple of p^r)).
        $$

        Since $rge1$, that establishes the lemma.



        Lemma $2$: If $p$ is a prime and $pmid a-1$, then $operatornamegcd(a - 1, dfraca^p-1a-1) = p$.



        By Lemma $1$, if $p^kmidmid a-1$, then $p^k+1midmid a^p - 1$, so $pmidmid dfraca^p-1a-1$. Hence the GCD is a multiple of $p$.



        On the other hand,
        $$
        fraca^p-1a-1 = 1 + a + a^2 +cdots + a^p-1.
        $$

        Reducing this $bmod a-1$, we have
        $$
        fraca^p-1a-1 equiv 1 + 1 + 1 +cdots + 1 equiv p pmoda-1.
        $$

        That is, there is some integer $t$ such that $dfraca^p-1a-1 = (a-1)t + p$, so
        $p = dfraca^p-1a-1 - (a-1)t$. Thus the GCD divides $p$.



        Hence, the GCD is $p$.



        Finally, return to the induction step. Let $Q = P/p_k-1$; then condition (ii) of the induction hypothesis says that $p_k-1mid a^Q - 1$; likewise all the preceding $p_i$ (if any) divide $a^Q - 1$ by condition (i) of the preceding induction step (if any). Thus $p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^Q - 1$, so
        $$
        p_1cdots p_k-1 mid a^P - 1 = (a^Q - 1) fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1.
        $$

        By Lemma $2$, the GCD of the two factors on the right is $p_k-1$, so none of the other $p_i$ divide $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$.
        Writing
        $$
        fraca^P - 1a^Q - 1 = 1 + a^Q + a^2Q + cdots + a^(p_k-1-1)Q,
        $$

        one sees that this factor is the sum of $p_k-1$ odd terms, and thus odd, and $gt p_k-1$, since $a gt 1$. By Lemma $1$, $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ is not divisible by $p_k-1^2$, so $dfraca^P - 1a^Q - 1$ cannot be a power of $p_k-1$. Thus there is some odd prime $p_k$ that divides it (and thus $a^P - 1$) which is distinct from the preceding $p_i$. That completes the proof.



        A numerical example may help to clarify the process. Let $a = 2015$, so $a-1 = 2cdot19cdot53$. Take $p_1 = 19$; then $19mid 2015 - 1$ and $19mid 2015^19 - 1$.
        The lengthy argument above shows that $dfrac2015^19 - 12015 - 1$ is divisible by $19$, but not $19^2$. In fact, $$
        frac2015^19 - 12015 - 1 = 19cdot 22186954931 cdot (texta 48text-digit prime).
        $$

        Let $p_2 = 22186954931$, so $p_2mid 2015^19 - 1$ and $19 p_2 mid 2015^19 p_2 - 1$.
        To no one's surprise, and as has been proved, $2015^19 p_2 - 1$ will contain at least one new odd prime factor that can be taken as $p_3$. And so on.







        share|cite|improve this answer












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered Mar 22 at 19:36









        FredHFredH

        3,6851023




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