Linear combination


A linear combination of two integers is the sum of their multiples.

The linear combination of two integers \(x\) and \(y\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are any integer coefficients is: $$ax + by$$
⚠ If an integer divides two integers, then it can divide any of their linear combinations. In particular, if \(z \mid x\) and \(z \mid y\), then \(z \mid ax + by.\) Not convinced? Go prove it with the definition of divides!

To give a specific example, \(5*2 + 7*4\) is a linear combination of \(2\) and \(4.\) It also happens to be a linear combination of \(5\) and \(4\), \(2\) and \(7\), and \(5\) and \(7.\)

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