Spot the Difference

What is the greatest common divisor of 2 2016 1 2^{2016}-1 and 2 2010 1 2^{2010}-1 ?


The answer is 63.

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1 solution

Jonathan Poss
Sep 1, 2018

Subtract the two numbers to obtain 2 2016 2 2010 2^{2016}-2^{2010} . The GCD should divide this difference. Factor out 2 2010 2^{2010} because any power of 2 greater than 1 will not divide either number. This leaves 63, and since any power of 2 6 2^{6} leaves a remainder of 1 when divided by 63, both 2 2016 1 2^{2016}-1 and 2 2010 1 2^{2010}-1 are divisible by 63.

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