Inspired From Satvik Golechha

n 2 + 25 n + 7 = m 2 n^2+25n+7=m^2

Consider all ordered pairs of integers ( m , n ) (m,n) such that the above equation is fulfilled.

Let the sum of all integral values of m m and n n to be a a and b b respectively. What is the value of a b a-b ?

Image Credit: Wikimedia Square Root


The answer is 100.

This section requires Javascript.
You are seeing this because something didn't load right. We suggest you, (a) try refreshing the page, (b) enabling javascript if it is disabled on your browser and, finally, (c) loading the non-javascript version of this page . We're sorry about the hassle.

1 solution

Aareyan Manzoor
Feb 8, 2015

by completing the squares, ( n + 25 2 ) 2 597 4 = m 2 ( 2 n + 25 ) 2 4 m 2 = 597 (n+\dfrac{25}{2})^2 -\dfrac{597}{4}=m^2\longrightarrow(2n+25)^2 -4m^2=597 factoring, ( 2 n 2 m + 25 ) ( 2 n + 2 m + 25 ) = 597 (2n-2m+25)(2n+2m+25)=597 now lets see all possible way to write 597 within integers 597 = 1 × 597 = 1 × 597 = 3 × 199 = 3 × 199 597=1\times 597=-1\times -597=3\times 199=-3 \times -199 note that if m is a possible value of m, so is -m and hence, the sum of all m is a = 0 a=\boxed{0} and lets compute all n's. { 2 n 2 m + 25 = 1 , 2 n + 2 m + 25 = 597 n = 137 2 n 2 m + 25 = 3 , 2 n + 2 m + 25 = 199 n = 38 2 n 2 m + 25 = 1 , 2 n + 2 m + 25 = 597 n = 162 2 n 2 m + 25 = 3 , 2 n + 2 m + 25 = 199 n = 63 \begin{cases} 2n-2m+25=1,2n+2m+25=597\longrightarrow n=137\\ 2n-2m+25=3,2n+2m+25=199\longrightarrow n=38\\ 2n-2m+25=-1,2n+2m+25=-597\longrightarrow n=-162\\ 2n-2m+25=-3,2n+2m+25=-199\longrightarrow n=-63 \end{cases} if you are wondering why i excluded the case 2 n + 2 m + 25 < 2 n 2 m + 25 2n+2m+25<2n-2m+25 , it is because it would give the same value of n, just the other signed value of m. so b = 137 + 38 162 63 = 50 b=137+38-162-63=-50 hence since these were un ordered pairs, we just multiply by 2 2 ( a b ) = 2 ( 0 ( 50 ) ) = 100 \therefore 2(a-b)=2(0-(-50))=\boxed{100}

I think this problem is unfair. It said "Consider ALL ordered pairs" but you only add together the DISTINCT values of m and n. I got 100 and couldn't figure out what I did wrong.

Jason Martin - 6 years, 3 months ago

Log in to reply

I did exactly the same. All distinct ordered pairs gave me 100.

Stuart Price - 6 years, 3 months ago

Thanks. I have updated the answer to 100.

In future, if you spot any errors with a problem, you can “report” it by selecting "report problem" in the “dot dot dot” menu in the lower right corner. You will get a more timely response that way.

Calvin Lin Staff - 6 years, 3 months ago

I got 8 ordered pairs, so that the total sum a b a-b works out to 100 100 . However, you failed to specify that the sum is of distinct integer values of m m and n n . Whenever we have a situation like this, where there is a potential for misunderstanding, always take the extra step to make the problem as clear as possible. "All integer values" can have ambiguous meaning in this context. I agree with the others who have given the same answer, it should be worded, "All distinct integer values", or, technically, the union of all integer values.

In the real world, lack of clarity in writing can have disastrous consequences, so it's best to err on the side of caution when it comes to clarity.

Michael Mendrin - 6 years, 3 months ago

Oh i did all thing correct but i did not multiply -50 by 2. Lost a 5 level question.

However nice solution.

Priyanshu Mishra - 5 years, 2 months ago

0 pending reports

×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...