Factorial Symmetry

Number Theory Level pending

a!b! = a! + b!

Given that a and b are both positive integers, how many solutions are there to this question?


The answer is 1.

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1 solution

Finn Hulse
Jun 20, 2014

There are already not a lot of numbers who have the same product as they do sum. Let's first find these numbers, then restrict them only to factorials. Our equation is

A B = A + B AB=A+B

Solving for the variable B B , we have

B = A + B A B=\dfrac{A+B}{A}

B = B A + 1 B=\dfrac{B}{A}+1

We can conclude that B A B \geq A . But solving for A A , we get

A = A B + 1 A=\dfrac{A}{B}+1

Which means A B A \geq B . For both these conditions to be true, A = B A=B . Now we have a one variable quadratic:

A 2 = 2 A A^2=2A

Which clearly has roots at A = 0 , 2 A=0, 2 . Only 1 \boxed{1} of these solutions is a perfect factorial, 2 2 , since 2 ! = 2 2!=2 .

Great problem! Easy, but still awesome! :D

Finn Hulse - 6 years, 11 months ago

if a and b ,both are 0,then also equation holds

manu dude - 6 years, 11 months ago

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Yes I know. Look closer at the solution.

Finn Hulse - 6 years, 11 months ago

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