a!b! = a! + b!
Given that a and b are both positive integers, how many solutions are there to this question?
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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
Solving for the variable B , we have
B = A A + B
B = A B + 1
We can conclude that B ≥ A . But solving for A , we get
A = B A + 1
Which means A ≥ B . For both these conditions to be true, A = B . Now we have a one variable quadratic:
A 2 = 2 A
Which clearly has roots at A = 0 , 2 . Only 1 of these solutions is a perfect factorial, 2 , since 2 ! = 2 .