Mathematics Symbol? (1 Viewer)

[cutemouse]

Hey all,

Does anyone know what the symbol "|" means in mathematics?

eg. s|a_n

 

[bachviete]

Hey all,

Does anyone know what the symbol "|" means in mathematics?

eg. s|a_n

the symbol | means "divides",

so 5 | 10 means 5 divides 10 (making 2)

or x | y means x divides y. It also means that y is a multiple of x ie y = kx. Also x is a divisor of y. All these statements are equivalent and when working on these problems its useful to consider which one to work with.

So

s|a_n mean that s divides a_n ie a_n =ks

Im assuming this is an induction question?

 

[cutemouse]

Im assuming this is an induction question?

No, polynomials. Rational roots.

 

[bachviete]

No, polynomials. Rational roots.

Ah, okay

But if you are having trouble with the question, with the criterion you have given i can tell you that if the coefficient of the polynomial is a_n and s|a_n for n=0,1,2,... then s | P(x).

 

[Jacob1991]

Ah, okay

But if you are having trouble with the question, with the criterion you have given i can tell you that if the coefficient of the polynomial is a_n and s|a_n for n=0,1,2,... then s | P(x).

Yep that basically indicates a sequence. The expression seems to be incomplete though - there should be some kinda criterion defining what kind of sequence that follows.