Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 1757Logic, sets and proofs › Proof techniques › InductionL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Existence of quotient and remainder

#strong induction#division#quotient

Statement

Prove by strong induction that for all n∈Nn\in\mathbb{N} and d≥1d\ge1, there exist unique q,rq,r with n=qd+rn=qd+r, 0≤r<d0\le r<d.

Hint

Induct on nn; base case n<dn<d.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Base case. If n<dn<d: q=0q=0, r=nr=n, unique.

Inductive step. Suppose all k<nk<n have a unique decomposition. For nn:
- If n<dn<d, done.
- If n≥dn\ge d: n−d<nn-d<n, so by induction n−d=qd+rn-d=qd+r with 0≤r<d0\le r<d. Then n=(q+1)d+rn=(q+1)d+r, giving existence.

Uniqueness. Suppose n=qd+r=q′d+r′n=qd+r=q'd+r'. Then (q−q′)d=r′−r(q-q')d=r'-r with ∣r′−r∣<d|r'-r|<d; this forces r=r′r=r' and q=q′q=q'.

Conclusion. Euclidean division exists and is unique.