[Math] Sum of two numbers is equal to hcf +lcm

elementary-number-theorynumber theory

Let m and n be positive integers such that

lcm[m,n]+gcd[m,n]=m+n

Prove that one of the numbers must be divisible by the other.

I tried it by taking m>n and then taking the factors of n which are not in the gcd and tried to show that it also divides m but failed.

Any help will be truly appreciated.

Best Answer

HINT

Note that $lcm (m,n) \times \gcd(m,n)=mn$.

If for four real numbers $a+b=c+d$, $ab=cd$, this implies that $a=c, b=d$ or $a=d, b=c$ since they are both two roots to the quadratic equation $x^2-(c+d)x+cd$.