Why is the earlier remainder 5 chosen as the answer once the new remainder is 0?
Conditions
- The Euclidean algorithm has been applied to two positive integers.
- A division step has produced a remainder of 0.
- The inputs are 10 and 45.
Reasoning, step by step
- Perform the division steps until a remainder of 0 is reached.
- Identify the equation where the remainder is 0: .
- Look at the divisor in that specific equation, which is 5.
- Recognize that this divisor is the preceding nonzero remainder from the previous step.
- Conclude that 5 is the greatest common divisor of the original numbers.
Example
The board shows , and the earlier remainder 5 is boxed. The narration selects the preceding nonzero remainder after the new remainder becomes zero.
Common misconceptions
- Choosing the remainder 0 as the greatest common divisor.
- Choosing the quotient 2 as the greatest common divisor.
- Believing the algorithm must continue indefinitely even after reaching a zero remainder.
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