GCD with Remainder

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Theorem

Let $a, b \in \Z$.

Let $q, r \in \Z$ such that $a = q b + r$.

Then:

$\gcd \set {a, b} = \gcd \set {b, r}$

where $\gcd \set {a, b}$ is the greatest common divisor of $a$ and $b$.


Proof

\(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {a, b} \divides a \land \gcd \set {a, b} \divides b\) Definition of Greatest Common Divisor of Integers
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {a, b} \divides \paren {a - q b}\) Common Divisor Divides Integer Combination
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {a, b} \divides r\) as $r = a - q b$
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {a, b} \le \gcd \set {b, r}\) Definition of Greatest Common Divisor of Integers


The argument works the other way about:

\(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {b, r} \divides b \land \gcd \set {b, r} \divides r\) Definition of Greatest Common Divisor of Integers
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {b, r} \divides \paren {q b + r}\) Common Divisor Divides Integer Combination
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {b, r} \divides a\) as $a = q b + r$
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds \gcd \set {b, r} \le \gcd \set {a, b}\) Definition of Greatest Common Divisor of Integers


Thus:

$\gcd \set {a, b} = \gcd \set {b, r}$

$\blacksquare$


Sources