Problem

Source: Russian TST 2016, Day 10 P1 (Group A), P2 (Group B)

Tags: number theory, Divisibility



Let $a{}$ and $b{}$ be natural numbers greater than one. Let $n{}$ be a natural number for which $a\mid 2^n-1$ and $b\mid 2^n+1$. Prove that there is no natural $k{}$ such that $a\mid 2^k+1$ and $b\mid 2^k-1$.