( m , n ) (m,n)

n m + \dfrac{n}{m}+ 14 m n \dfrac{14m}{n} is an integer and ( m , n ) (m,n) are coprime natural numbers.

Find the number of pairs ( m , n ) (m,n) .

7 Infinite 1 0 4

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

Chris Lewis
Apr 9, 2019

If m = n m=n , the only possibility is that they are both 1 1 , and this is indeed a solution pair. Now assume that m m and n n are distinct.

For two fractions to sum to an integer, their denominators (when expressed in lowest terms) must be equal. Clearly the first fraction, n m \frac{n}{m} , is already in lowest terms, since m m and n n are coprime. Since m m and n n are distinct, the fraction 14 m n \frac{14m}{n} must have shared factors in its numerator and denominator.

Let h = gcd ( 14 m , n ) h=\gcd(14m,n) . Since m m and n n are coprime, we have h = gcd ( 14 , n ) h=\gcd(14,n) . Write n = h n n=hn' and 14 = h x 14=hx , where gcd ( n , x ) = 1 \gcd(n',x)=1 .

The expression is now n m + m x n \frac{n}{m}+\frac{mx}{n'} , where both fractions are in lowest terms. For this to be an integer, we need m = n m=n' ; but as n n n'|n , we must also have gcd ( m , n ) = 1 \gcd(m,n')=1 , and so m = n = 1 m=n'=1 .

So the expression becomes n + 14 n n+\frac{14}{n} . For this to be an integer, n n has to divide 14 14 . Since n m n \neq m , we have to discount n = 1 n=1 ; this leaves the solution pairs ( 1 , 2 ) , ( 1 , 7 ) , ( 1 , 14 ) (1,2),(1,7),(1,14) . Together with the pair ( 1 , 1 ) (1,1) these give the answer 4 \boxed4 .

0 pending reports

×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...