In this question, a, b, and c are positive integers.
The following is an attempted proof of the false statement:
"If a divides bc, then a divides b or a divides c."
[a divides bc means a is a factor of bc.]
Which line contains the error in this proof?
1. The statement is equivalent to: if a does not divide b and a does not divide c, then a does not divide bc.
2. Suppose a does not divide b and a does not divide c. Then the remainder when dividing b by a is r, where 0<r<a, and the remainder when dividing c by a is s, where 0<s<a.
3. So b=ax+r and c=ay+s for some integers x and y.
4. Thus bc=a(axy+xs+yr)+rs.
5. So the remainder when dividing bc by a is rs.
6. Since r>0 and s>0, it follows that rs>0.
7. Hence a does not divide bc.