Let be a nonzero integer and a prime integer. We define the -adic valuation of .
If is a not a prime factor of , one defines .
Now say that is a prime factor of , then define to be the maximal power of that divides .
Remarks
One can generalize this definition to non trivial rationnal numbers by setting . Note that this definition does not depend on such that .
With this definition, the fundamental theorem of arithmetic can be written as
and this equality can be generalized to all non vanishing rationnal numbers.
Examples
The -adic valuation of is since .
The -adic valuation of is since .
The -adic valuation of is .
Practice this concept with exercises
Let us assume that is a rationnal number. Set two coprime integers such that .
Show that this statement is absurd.
Open exerciseDifficulty 18/100 · 1 solution · 1 hint
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