If $ageq 2$, $anmid b$, and $a^n-1mid b^n-1$ for all $ninmathbb{N}$, then $b=1$












7














Let $a,binmathbb{N}$ be such that $ageq 2$, $anmid b$, and $a^n-1mid b^n-1$ for all $ninmathbb{N}$, then $b=1$.



PS: In fact, if we do not assume that $anmid b$, then the statement should be $b=a^k$ for some $kinmathbb{N}cup{0}$. The above statement can deduce the fact.










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  • Please, try to make the titles of your questions more informative. E.g., Why does $a<b$ imply $a+c<b+c$? is much more useful for other users than A question about inequality. From How can I ask a good question?: Make your title as descriptive as possible. In many cases one can actually phrase the title as the question, at least in such a way so as to be comprehensible to an expert reader. You can find more tips for choosing a good title here.
    – Martin Sleziak
    Oct 12 '16 at 5:23
















7














Let $a,binmathbb{N}$ be such that $ageq 2$, $anmid b$, and $a^n-1mid b^n-1$ for all $ninmathbb{N}$, then $b=1$.



PS: In fact, if we do not assume that $anmid b$, then the statement should be $b=a^k$ for some $kinmathbb{N}cup{0}$. The above statement can deduce the fact.










share|cite|improve this question
























  • Please, try to make the titles of your questions more informative. E.g., Why does $a<b$ imply $a+c<b+c$? is much more useful for other users than A question about inequality. From How can I ask a good question?: Make your title as descriptive as possible. In many cases one can actually phrase the title as the question, at least in such a way so as to be comprehensible to an expert reader. You can find more tips for choosing a good title here.
    – Martin Sleziak
    Oct 12 '16 at 5:23














7












7








7


1





Let $a,binmathbb{N}$ be such that $ageq 2$, $anmid b$, and $a^n-1mid b^n-1$ for all $ninmathbb{N}$, then $b=1$.



PS: In fact, if we do not assume that $anmid b$, then the statement should be $b=a^k$ for some $kinmathbb{N}cup{0}$. The above statement can deduce the fact.










share|cite|improve this question















Let $a,binmathbb{N}$ be such that $ageq 2$, $anmid b$, and $a^n-1mid b^n-1$ for all $ninmathbb{N}$, then $b=1$.



PS: In fact, if we do not assume that $anmid b$, then the statement should be $b=a^k$ for some $kinmathbb{N}cup{0}$. The above statement can deduce the fact.







elementary-number-theory divisibility






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edited Oct 12 '16 at 5:23









Martin Sleziak

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asked Oct 12 '16 at 4:14









m-agag2016

63448




63448












  • Please, try to make the titles of your questions more informative. E.g., Why does $a<b$ imply $a+c<b+c$? is much more useful for other users than A question about inequality. From How can I ask a good question?: Make your title as descriptive as possible. In many cases one can actually phrase the title as the question, at least in such a way so as to be comprehensible to an expert reader. You can find more tips for choosing a good title here.
    – Martin Sleziak
    Oct 12 '16 at 5:23


















  • Please, try to make the titles of your questions more informative. E.g., Why does $a<b$ imply $a+c<b+c$? is much more useful for other users than A question about inequality. From How can I ask a good question?: Make your title as descriptive as possible. In many cases one can actually phrase the title as the question, at least in such a way so as to be comprehensible to an expert reader. You can find more tips for choosing a good title here.
    – Martin Sleziak
    Oct 12 '16 at 5:23
















Please, try to make the titles of your questions more informative. E.g., Why does $a<b$ imply $a+c<b+c$? is much more useful for other users than A question about inequality. From How can I ask a good question?: Make your title as descriptive as possible. In many cases one can actually phrase the title as the question, at least in such a way so as to be comprehensible to an expert reader. You can find more tips for choosing a good title here.
– Martin Sleziak
Oct 12 '16 at 5:23




Please, try to make the titles of your questions more informative. E.g., Why does $a<b$ imply $a+c<b+c$? is much more useful for other users than A question about inequality. From How can I ask a good question?: Make your title as descriptive as possible. In many cases one can actually phrase the title as the question, at least in such a way so as to be comprehensible to an expert reader. You can find more tips for choosing a good title here.
– Martin Sleziak
Oct 12 '16 at 5:23










3 Answers
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This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.



This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.






share|cite|improve this answer





























    0














    Here is my proof from AoPS.



    $textbf{Problem 1.}$ Prove that if $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $a=b^k$ for some integer $k$.



    $textbf{Lemma 1.}$ If $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)mid n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1})$ for every $n$.



    $textbf{Proof of Lemma 1.}$ First consider any prime $pmid (b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)$, so there exists minimal $d$ such that $pmid b^d-1$ and it's well-known fact that then $x^d-1equiv (x-1)(x-b)ldots (x-b^{d-1})pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$, so $P(x)=x^d-1$ has exactly $d$ consecutive roots $1, b, b^2,ldots , b^{d-1}$. From the condition $b^d-1mid a^d-1$ we get that $a$ is also the root of polynomial $x^d-1$. So easy to see that there exists only one $0leq d'leq d$, such that $a-b^{d'}equiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. From this we get that for all $iequiv d'pmod{d}$, $a-b^iequiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. Now from LTE lemma we get that $nu_p(b^{jd}-1)leqnu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(j)$, for each $j$, so $nu_p(prod_{i=1}^n(b^i-1))leq[n/d]nu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(n!)leqnu_p(n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1}))$. Combining similar inequalities for every $p$ we get Lemma 1. $Box$



    $textbf{Proof of Problem 1.}$ Firstly it's simple exercise to prove that if a prime $p$ is such that $pmid a$, then $pmid b$. So there exists a positive integer $t$, such that $anmid b^{t-1}$, but $amid b^t$. From Lemma 1 we get that $(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}inmathbb{Z}$. But for every $i$ we have that $gcd(a, b^i-1)$, so if we just look on the numerator of the fraction above then we get that $$gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^tmid (2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}$$ and if $anot= b^x$ for every natural $x$, then $$|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|geq gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^t$$ But it's easy to check that $|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|leq (2t)!a^t$ and $gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})geq 2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}$ (here we used the fact that $gcd(a, b^i)midgcd(a, b^{i+1})$ and $gcd(a, b^{i-1})not=gcd(a, b^i)$ for $ileq t-1$). So $2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}a^tleq (2t)!a^t$. Contradiction. $Box$






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    • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
      – solver6
      Nov 27 '18 at 21:19










    • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
      – solver6
      Nov 27 '18 at 21:26





















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    Reference for a generalization of this theorem and it's proof in French. See this article.



    Langlois, Bruno, An arithmetical application of Hadamard’s quotient theorem, Ann. Univ. Sci. Budap. Rolando Eötvös, Sect. Comput. 44, 183-196 (2015). ZBL1389.11046.






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      3 Answers
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      3 Answers
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      This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.



      This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.






      share|cite|improve this answer


























        2














        This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.



        This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.






        share|cite|improve this answer
























          2












          2








          2






          This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.



          This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.






          share|cite|improve this answer












          This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.



          This is a solution here which was found in some paper in AMM. it's a very nice proof. but it's very constructive. For example, the construction of $Q_k(x)$, $p_k$ and $r_{k,n}$, it's not so easy to construct them. Maybe there is some direct method.







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Nov 20 '16 at 4:27









          m-agag2016

          63448




          63448























              0














              Here is my proof from AoPS.



              $textbf{Problem 1.}$ Prove that if $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $a=b^k$ for some integer $k$.



              $textbf{Lemma 1.}$ If $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)mid n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1})$ for every $n$.



              $textbf{Proof of Lemma 1.}$ First consider any prime $pmid (b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)$, so there exists minimal $d$ such that $pmid b^d-1$ and it's well-known fact that then $x^d-1equiv (x-1)(x-b)ldots (x-b^{d-1})pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$, so $P(x)=x^d-1$ has exactly $d$ consecutive roots $1, b, b^2,ldots , b^{d-1}$. From the condition $b^d-1mid a^d-1$ we get that $a$ is also the root of polynomial $x^d-1$. So easy to see that there exists only one $0leq d'leq d$, such that $a-b^{d'}equiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. From this we get that for all $iequiv d'pmod{d}$, $a-b^iequiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. Now from LTE lemma we get that $nu_p(b^{jd}-1)leqnu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(j)$, for each $j$, so $nu_p(prod_{i=1}^n(b^i-1))leq[n/d]nu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(n!)leqnu_p(n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1}))$. Combining similar inequalities for every $p$ we get Lemma 1. $Box$



              $textbf{Proof of Problem 1.}$ Firstly it's simple exercise to prove that if a prime $p$ is such that $pmid a$, then $pmid b$. So there exists a positive integer $t$, such that $anmid b^{t-1}$, but $amid b^t$. From Lemma 1 we get that $(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}inmathbb{Z}$. But for every $i$ we have that $gcd(a, b^i-1)$, so if we just look on the numerator of the fraction above then we get that $$gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^tmid (2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}$$ and if $anot= b^x$ for every natural $x$, then $$|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|geq gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^t$$ But it's easy to check that $|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|leq (2t)!a^t$ and $gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})geq 2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}$ (here we used the fact that $gcd(a, b^i)midgcd(a, b^{i+1})$ and $gcd(a, b^{i-1})not=gcd(a, b^i)$ for $ileq t-1$). So $2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}a^tleq (2t)!a^t$. Contradiction. $Box$






              share|cite|improve this answer























              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:19










              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:26


















              0














              Here is my proof from AoPS.



              $textbf{Problem 1.}$ Prove that if $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $a=b^k$ for some integer $k$.



              $textbf{Lemma 1.}$ If $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)mid n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1})$ for every $n$.



              $textbf{Proof of Lemma 1.}$ First consider any prime $pmid (b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)$, so there exists minimal $d$ such that $pmid b^d-1$ and it's well-known fact that then $x^d-1equiv (x-1)(x-b)ldots (x-b^{d-1})pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$, so $P(x)=x^d-1$ has exactly $d$ consecutive roots $1, b, b^2,ldots , b^{d-1}$. From the condition $b^d-1mid a^d-1$ we get that $a$ is also the root of polynomial $x^d-1$. So easy to see that there exists only one $0leq d'leq d$, such that $a-b^{d'}equiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. From this we get that for all $iequiv d'pmod{d}$, $a-b^iequiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. Now from LTE lemma we get that $nu_p(b^{jd}-1)leqnu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(j)$, for each $j$, so $nu_p(prod_{i=1}^n(b^i-1))leq[n/d]nu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(n!)leqnu_p(n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1}))$. Combining similar inequalities for every $p$ we get Lemma 1. $Box$



              $textbf{Proof of Problem 1.}$ Firstly it's simple exercise to prove that if a prime $p$ is such that $pmid a$, then $pmid b$. So there exists a positive integer $t$, such that $anmid b^{t-1}$, but $amid b^t$. From Lemma 1 we get that $(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}inmathbb{Z}$. But for every $i$ we have that $gcd(a, b^i-1)$, so if we just look on the numerator of the fraction above then we get that $$gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^tmid (2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}$$ and if $anot= b^x$ for every natural $x$, then $$|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|geq gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^t$$ But it's easy to check that $|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|leq (2t)!a^t$ and $gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})geq 2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}$ (here we used the fact that $gcd(a, b^i)midgcd(a, b^{i+1})$ and $gcd(a, b^{i-1})not=gcd(a, b^i)$ for $ileq t-1$). So $2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}a^tleq (2t)!a^t$. Contradiction. $Box$






              share|cite|improve this answer























              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:19










              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:26
















              0












              0








              0






              Here is my proof from AoPS.



              $textbf{Problem 1.}$ Prove that if $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $a=b^k$ for some integer $k$.



              $textbf{Lemma 1.}$ If $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)mid n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1})$ for every $n$.



              $textbf{Proof of Lemma 1.}$ First consider any prime $pmid (b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)$, so there exists minimal $d$ such that $pmid b^d-1$ and it's well-known fact that then $x^d-1equiv (x-1)(x-b)ldots (x-b^{d-1})pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$, so $P(x)=x^d-1$ has exactly $d$ consecutive roots $1, b, b^2,ldots , b^{d-1}$. From the condition $b^d-1mid a^d-1$ we get that $a$ is also the root of polynomial $x^d-1$. So easy to see that there exists only one $0leq d'leq d$, such that $a-b^{d'}equiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. From this we get that for all $iequiv d'pmod{d}$, $a-b^iequiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. Now from LTE lemma we get that $nu_p(b^{jd}-1)leqnu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(j)$, for each $j$, so $nu_p(prod_{i=1}^n(b^i-1))leq[n/d]nu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(n!)leqnu_p(n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1}))$. Combining similar inequalities for every $p$ we get Lemma 1. $Box$



              $textbf{Proof of Problem 1.}$ Firstly it's simple exercise to prove that if a prime $p$ is such that $pmid a$, then $pmid b$. So there exists a positive integer $t$, such that $anmid b^{t-1}$, but $amid b^t$. From Lemma 1 we get that $(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}inmathbb{Z}$. But for every $i$ we have that $gcd(a, b^i-1)$, so if we just look on the numerator of the fraction above then we get that $$gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^tmid (2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}$$ and if $anot= b^x$ for every natural $x$, then $$|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|geq gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^t$$ But it's easy to check that $|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|leq (2t)!a^t$ and $gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})geq 2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}$ (here we used the fact that $gcd(a, b^i)midgcd(a, b^{i+1})$ and $gcd(a, b^{i-1})not=gcd(a, b^i)$ for $ileq t-1$). So $2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}a^tleq (2t)!a^t$. Contradiction. $Box$






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              Here is my proof from AoPS.



              $textbf{Problem 1.}$ Prove that if $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $a=b^k$ for some integer $k$.



              $textbf{Lemma 1.}$ If $b^n-1mid a^n-1$ for all $n$, then $(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)mid n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1})$ for every $n$.



              $textbf{Proof of Lemma 1.}$ First consider any prime $pmid (b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^n-1)$, so there exists minimal $d$ such that $pmid b^d-1$ and it's well-known fact that then $x^d-1equiv (x-1)(x-b)ldots (x-b^{d-1})pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$, so $P(x)=x^d-1$ has exactly $d$ consecutive roots $1, b, b^2,ldots , b^{d-1}$. From the condition $b^d-1mid a^d-1$ we get that $a$ is also the root of polynomial $x^d-1$. So easy to see that there exists only one $0leq d'leq d$, such that $a-b^{d'}equiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. From this we get that for all $iequiv d'pmod{d}$, $a-b^iequiv 0pmod{p^{nu_p(b^d-1)}}$. Now from LTE lemma we get that $nu_p(b^{jd}-1)leqnu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(j)$, for each $j$, so $nu_p(prod_{i=1}^n(b^i-1))leq[n/d]nu_p(b^d-1)+nu_p(n!)leqnu_p(n!(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{n-1}))$. Combining similar inequalities for every $p$ we get Lemma 1. $Box$



              $textbf{Proof of Problem 1.}$ Firstly it's simple exercise to prove that if a prime $p$ is such that $pmid a$, then $pmid b$. So there exists a positive integer $t$, such that $anmid b^{t-1}$, but $amid b^t$. From Lemma 1 we get that $(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}inmathbb{Z}$. But for every $i$ we have that $gcd(a, b^i-1)$, so if we just look on the numerator of the fraction above then we get that $$gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^tmid (2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}$$ and if $anot= b^x$ for every natural $x$, then $$|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|geq gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})a^t$$ But it's easy to check that $|(2t)!frac{(a-1)(a-b)ldots (a-b^{t-1})(a-b^t)ldots (a-b^{2t-1})}{(b-1)(b^2-1)ldots (b^t-1)(b^{t+1}-1)ldots (b^{2t}-1)}|leq (2t)!a^t$ and $gcd(a,1)gcd(a, b)ldots gcd(a, b^{t-1})geq 2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}$ (here we used the fact that $gcd(a, b^i)midgcd(a, b^{i+1})$ and $gcd(a, b^{i-1})not=gcd(a, b^i)$ for $ileq t-1$). So $2^{frac{t(t-1)}{2}}a^tleq (2t)!a^t$. Contradiction. $Box$







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              share|cite|improve this answer



              share|cite|improve this answer








              edited Nov 27 '18 at 20:38

























              answered Nov 27 '18 at 19:58









              solver6

              5917




              5917












              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:19










              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:26




















              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:19










              • Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
                – solver6
                Nov 27 '18 at 21:26


















              Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
              – solver6
              Nov 27 '18 at 21:19




              Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that it has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$.
              – solver6
              Nov 27 '18 at 21:19












              Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
              – solver6
              Nov 27 '18 at 21:26






              Can someone find any mistakes in another proof : Let $p$ be a prime number greater than $a$. Consider a polynomial $F(x)=x^p-1$ over $mod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. One can get that $P(x)$ has $d$ consecutive roots $1, b,ldots , b^{p-1}$. So from the fact $b^p-1mid a^p-1$ we get that $a$ is also root of $F(x)equiv 0pmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$. Thus, $aequiv b^ipmod{frac{b^p-1}{b-1}}$ for some $ileq p-1$. Finally, if $anot= b^i$, then $b^{p-1}-1geq |a-b^i|geqfrac{b^p-1}{b-1}$. Contradiction. $Box$
              – solver6
              Nov 27 '18 at 21:26













              0














              Reference for a generalization of this theorem and it's proof in French. See this article.



              Langlois, Bruno, An arithmetical application of Hadamard’s quotient theorem, Ann. Univ. Sci. Budap. Rolando Eötvös, Sect. Comput. 44, 183-196 (2015). ZBL1389.11046.






              share|cite|improve this answer


























                0














                Reference for a generalization of this theorem and it's proof in French. See this article.



                Langlois, Bruno, An arithmetical application of Hadamard’s quotient theorem, Ann. Univ. Sci. Budap. Rolando Eötvös, Sect. Comput. 44, 183-196 (2015). ZBL1389.11046.






                share|cite|improve this answer
























                  0












                  0








                  0






                  Reference for a generalization of this theorem and it's proof in French. See this article.



                  Langlois, Bruno, An arithmetical application of Hadamard’s quotient theorem, Ann. Univ. Sci. Budap. Rolando Eötvös, Sect. Comput. 44, 183-196 (2015). ZBL1389.11046.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  Reference for a generalization of this theorem and it's proof in French. See this article.



                  Langlois, Bruno, An arithmetical application of Hadamard’s quotient theorem, Ann. Univ. Sci. Budap. Rolando Eötvös, Sect. Comput. 44, 183-196 (2015). ZBL1389.11046.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Jan 3 at 21:03









                  solver6

                  5917




                  5917






























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