Prove that if p and q are positive distinct primes, then log_p(q) is irrational.

In summary, the conversation discusses a proof by contradiction to show that if p and q are positive distinct primes, then the logarithm of q with base p is irrational. The proof involves assuming the opposite and showing that it leads to a contradiction.
  • #1
KOO
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Prove that if p and q are positive distinct primes,then $\log_p(q)$ is irrational.

Attempt:

Proof by contradiction: Assume $\log_p(q)$ is rational.Suppose $\log_p(q) = \dfrac{m}{n}$ where $m,n \in \mathbb{Z}$ and $\gcd(m,n) = 1$.

Then, $p^{\frac{m}{n}} = q$ which implies $p^m = q^n$.
 
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  • #2
KOO said:
Prove that if p and q are positive distinct primes,then $\log_p(q)$ is irrational.

Attempt:

Proof by contradiction: Assume $\log_p(q)$ is rational.Suppose $\log_p(q) = \dfrac{m}{n}$ where $m,n \in \mathbb{Z}$ and $\gcd(m,n) = 1$.

Then, $p^{\frac{m}{n}} = q$ which implies $p^m = q^n$.

Almost there! Can $p^m=q^n$ happen for any two distinct primes?
 

FAQ: Prove that if p and q are positive distinct primes, then log_p(q) is irrational.

What is the statement being proven in this statement?

The statement being proven is that if two positive distinct primes, p and q, are given, then the logarithm of q with base p, written as logp(q), is an irrational number.

What is a prime number?

A prime number is a positive integer that is only divisible by 1 and itself. Examples include 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, etc.

What does it mean for a number to be irrational?

A number is considered irrational if it cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. In other words, it cannot be written as a fraction with a finite number of digits after the decimal point.

How can this statement be proven?

This statement can be proven using a proof by contradiction. Assume that logp(q) is rational, then it can be written as a fraction a/b where a and b are integers. By the definition of a logarithm, this would mean that pa/b = q. However, this would contradict the fact that p and q are distinct primes, as pa/b can only be equal to q if a/b is equal to 1, which is impossible if p and q are distinct primes. Therefore, our assumption that logp(q) is rational must be false, and it must be irrational.

What are some real-world applications of this statement?

This statement has many real-world applications in fields such as cryptography, number theory, and computer science. For example, it can be used to prove the security of certain encryption algorithms, as the irrationality of logp(q) makes it difficult for hackers to determine the original values of p and q. It is also used in the construction of some algorithms and data structures, such as the Fibonacci heap. Additionally, this statement is an important concept in understanding the distribution of primes and their relation to other mathematical properties.

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