Let $a,b,x\in \mathbb{N}$ with $b>1$ and such that $b^{n}-1$ divides $a$. Show that in base $b$, the number $a$ has at least $n$ non-zero digits.
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Tags: Divisibility Theory
Let $a,b,x\in \mathbb{N}$ with $b>1$ and such that $b^{n}-1$ divides $a$. Show that in base $b$, the number $a$ has at least $n$ non-zero digits.