--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain Factorisation by Fermats method

Factorisation by Fermat's method: This method, dating from 1643, depends on a simple and standard algebraic identity. Fermat's observation is that if we wish to nd two factors of n, it is enough if we can express n as the di fference of two squares. This is because if n = a2 - b2, then we have immediately

n = a2 - b2 = (a+b)(a - b);

and so we have found two factors, a+b and a - b, of n.

It is possible here that a - b might equal 1, in which case we will only have found the trivial factorisation n = n x 1, but we can arrange matters so that this will only happen if n has no other factorisation - i.e., is prime.

At first glance, it may seem over-optimistic to hope that an expression for n as the di fference of two squares will exist.

But assume that n is odd, which we can always do if we are trying to factorise n. Then if n = uv and we put

a = 1/2(u+v) and b = 1/2(u - v);

we have n = a2 - b2 (note that a and b are both integers if n is odd), so that a representation of n as the difference of two squares does exist. (In fact, it is easy to see that the above formulae define a one-to-one correspondence between representations of n as the di erence of two squares and as the product of two factors - exercise.)

   Related Questions in Mathematics

  • Q : Ordinary Differential Equation or ODE

    What is an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE)?

    		•
  • Q : Problem on mass balance law Using the

    Using the mass balance law approach, write down a set of word equations to model the transport of lead concentration. A) Draw a compartmental model to represent  the diffusion of lead through the lungs and the bloodstream.

    		•
  • Q : Bolzano-Weierstrass property The

    The Bolzano-Weierstrass property does not hold in C[0, ¶] for the infinite set A ={sinnx:n<N} : A is infinite; Show that has no “ limit points”.

    		•
  • Q : State Fermat algorithm The basic Fermat

    The basic Fermat algorithm is as follows: Assume that n is an odd positive integer. Set c = [√n] (`ceiling of √n '). Then we consider in turn the numbers c2 - n; (c+1)2 - n; (c+2)2 - n..... until a perfect square is found. If th

    		•
  • Q : State Prime number theorem Prime number

    Prime number theorem: A big deal is known about the distribution of prime numbers and of the prime factors of a typical number. Most of the mathematics, although, is deep: while the results are often not too hard to state, the proofs are often diffic

    		•
  • Q : Maths A cricketer cn throw a ball to a

    A cricketer cn throw a ball to a max horizontl distnce of 100m. If he throws d same ball vertically upwards then the max height upto which he can throw is????

    		•
  • Q : Mathematical and Theoretical Biology

    Mathematical and theoretical biology is an interdisciplinary scientific research field with a range of applications in the fields of biology, biotechnology, and medicine. The field may be referred to as mathematical biology or biomathematics to stress the mathematical

    		•
  • Q : How to calculate area of pyramid

    Calculate area of pyramid, prove equation?

    		•
  • Q : Probability assignments 1. Smith keeps

    1. Smith keeps track of poor work. Often on afternoon it is 5%. If he checks 300 of 7500 instruments what is probability he will find less than 20substandard? 2. Realtors estimate that 23% of homes purchased in 2004 were considered investment properties. If a sample of 800 homes sold in 2

    		•
  • Q : What is Big-O hierarchy The big-O

    The big-O hierarchy: A few basic facts about the big-O behaviour of some familiar functions are very important. Let p(n) be a polynomial in n (of any degree). Then logbn is O(p(n)) and p(n) is O(an<

    		•