Show that the following Set $\Lambda$ is a Partition

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Consider the two sets

$$A_r = \{x \in \mathbb{Z} \enspace | \enspace x \enspace = \enspace 5q + r, \enspace 0 \enspace \leq \enspace r \enspace < \enspace 5\}$$

$$\Lambda = \{A_r\}$$

We must show that $\Lambda$ is a partition of the set $\mathbb{Z}$.

I know that I must show that $\emptyset \notin \Lambda$, that two sets $A_r \cap A_k = \emptyset $ where $ 0 \leq k,r < 5$, which can be done by assuming that if $x \in A_r,A_k$, then $A_r = A_k$ where $k$ is an arbitrary integer; and, finally, the union of all the sets in $\Lambda$ is precisely the set $\mathbb{Z}$.

I am not allowed to use the division algorithm, which would make quick work of the first property of a partition. I assume that one plan of attack to show that the first property is fulfilled is by exhaustion; that is, for each $r$, we can find an integer $q$ where $x \in A_r$. Would this be right? Is there an alternative route?

As for the other two properties, I am not sure how to start. Any insights?

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There's an alternative route, kind of, although it involves sneakily proving the division algorithm.

  • Everything in any of those sets is an integer. That's just obvious.

  • The sets do cover $\mathbb{Z}$. Indeed, suppose $n$ were the least nonnegative integer not in some $A_r$. Note that $n \geq 5$ since $n \in A_n$ for $n \in \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4 \}$.
    Now, $n-5$ is in some $A_r$ - say it's $5q+r$ - so $(n-5)+5$ is in the same $A_r$ (simply express it as $5(q+1)+r$). This is a contradiction, so all positive integers are in some $A_r$. Similar reasoning for the negatives.

  • The sets are all distinct. Indeed, suppose $x \in A_r$ and $x \in A_s$. Then $x = 5p+r = 5q+s$, so $5(p-q) = s-r$. But $r, s \in \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4 \}$, and the only way $s-r$ can be divisible by 5 if $r, s$ come from that list is if $s-r=0$.