Browse · MATH
Printjmc
number theory senior
Problem
What is the smallest positive integer such that is undefined and is also undefined ?
Solution
An integer has an inverse if and only if . Similarly, an integer has an inverse if and only if .
Since we're looking for an integer that doesn't have an inverse modulo either or , we want such that and . Thus must be divisible by either or , and must also be divisible by either , , or . The smallest positive integer that satisfies both properties is .
Since we're looking for an integer that doesn't have an inverse modulo either or , we want such that and . Thus must be divisible by either or , and must also be divisible by either , , or . The smallest positive integer that satisfies both properties is .
Final answer
10