Let be an integer, and let be the largest prime number which is strictly less than . You may assume that . Let be a composite integer. Prove that [list=a] [*] if , then does not divide , [*] if , then divides . [/list]
Solution
To solve this problem, we need to prove two statements about the composite integer in relation to the factorial .
### Part (a): If , then does not divide
1. **Identify and **:
Given , where is the largest prime number strictly less than .
2. Factorial and divisibility:
We need to show that does not divide .
3. Range of factorial:
Consider the factorial . Since , we have:
The factorial includes all integers from 1 to .
4. **Prime in the factorial**:
Since is the largest prime less than , and , it follows that:
Therefore, .
5. **Divisibility by **:
Since , the factorial does not include the prime or the number . Hence, cannot divide .
Thus, does not divide .
### Part (b): If , then divides
1. **Identify and **:
Given , where is the largest prime number strictly less than .
2. Factorial and divisibility:
We need to show that divides .
3. Range of factorial:
Consider the factorial . Since , we have:
The factorial includes all integers from 1 to .
4. **Inclusion of and **:
Since , the range is greater than . Therefore, the factorial includes both and .
5. **Divisibility by **:
Since is a composite number greater than , and includes all factors of , it follows that divides .
Thus, divides .