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Here our assumptions are that $\alpha$, $\beta$, and $\gamma$ are Gaussian Integers and ($\alpha$, $\beta$) = $\mathbb{G}$.

To prove this, I let $\gamma = \alpha\delta$ and $\gamma = \beta\phi,$ where $\delta, \phi\in\mathbb{G}$. This is from the definition of divisibility. I then considered $\gamma\gamma = \alpha\delta\beta\phi = (\alpha\beta)\rho,$ with $\rho = \delta\phi$. I.e., $\gamma\gamma|\alpha\beta$

I then showed that $\gamma|\gamma\gamma$, and via the transitive property $\gamma|\alpha\beta$.

However, my concern is that I did not use the assumption that ($\alpha, \beta$)=$\mathbb{G}$. I think that needs to be included, but I'm not sure how/where. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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    @DJM: **Does** $(\alpha,\beta)=\mathbb{G}$ mean, in your course, that $\mathbb{G}$ is generated by the set $\{\alpha,\beta\}$? If so, you should be able to write a proof using my suggestion. If needed, I can do it, if pinged.2012-09-27

1 Answers 1

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Hint Note that $\rm\,\ a,b\:|\:c\:\Rightarrow\:ab\:|\:ca,cb\:\Rightarrow\:ab\:|\:(ca,cb) = c(a,b) = c\ $ by the GCD distributive law.

Or, Bezoutified $\rm\, \rm\,\ a,b\:|\:c\:\Rightarrow\:ab\:|\:ca,cb\:\Rightarrow\:ab\:|\:car\!+\!cbs = c(ar\!+\!bs) = c\ $ since, by Bezout's Identity, $\rm\:(a,b)= 1$ implies that there are $\rm\:r,s\in \Bbb G\:$ such that $\rm\:ar+bs = 1.$

The first proof works in any domain where GCDs exist, so in any UFD, e.g. Gaussian integers. The second proof also works in $\Bbb G$ since it is a Euclidean domain, i.e. it has a Euclidean algorithm for Division with Remainder, so, just as in $\Bbb Z$, the extended Euclidean algorithm yields the familiar Bezout linear representation of the gcd.

The first proof shows that if $\rm\,c\,$ is a common multiple of $\rm\,a,b\:$ then $\rm\:ab\:|\:c(a,b),\:$ or, equivalently, $\rm\:m = ab/(a,b)\:|\:c,\:$ i.e. $\rm\,m\,$ divides every common multiple of $\rm\,a,b.\:$ Further $\rm\:a,b\:|\:m\:$ since e.g. $\rm\:m/a = b/(a,b)\in\Bbb Z.\:$ Therefore, being a common multiple of $\rm\,a,b\,$ that divides every common multiple, $\rm\,m\,$ is the least common multiple of $\rm\,a,b.\:$ Hence we've proved the GCD * LCM law $\rm\:gcd(a,b)\, lcm(a,b) = ab.\:$ For a slicker proof of this basic law see here.