Given lo g a b = 2 3 and lo g c d = 4 5 .
If a − c = 9 , then find the unique integral value of b − d .
Credit: 2003 Shaanxi Competition Problem 10
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This is a good method to use the only triplet containing 3 is 3,4,5 (integral pythogoreas).
a
−
c
=
9
:
b
2
/
3
−
d
4
/
5
=
9
:
(
b
1
/
3
+
d
2
/
5
)
×
(
b
1
/
3
−
d
2
/
5
)
=
9
=
9
×
1
( first bracket is bigger).
Assume A=
b
1
/
3
and B=
d
2
/
5
. solving 2 variable 2 equation,
A
=
5
and
B
=
4
=
>
b
=
1
2
5
,
d
=
3
2
,
b
−
d
=
9
3
One more way is to think that 9 is only the difference of 2 perfect squares i.e. 25-16. Put the values and answer is same. Notice that i have not written 9=9-0 since none of them could be 0 as log won't be defined.
Clarification:
9
=
1
×
9
=
3
×
3
=
9
×
1
out of which only last is valid because
b
1
/
3
+
d
2
/
5
>
b
1
/
3
−
d
2
/
5
. If they both are equal, then
d
=
0
which is not valid.
I've edited the question to mention that a , b , c , d are all positive integers in order to get a unique solution. I hope that is consistent with what you had intended.
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It is not necessary to mention that. Non integral solutions cant be there since a-c=9 and it is difference of 2 perfect squares and obviously for log to be defined a,b,c,d >0 and not equal to 1
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But you could have a = 1 6 , c = 7 , b = 6 4 and d = 7 4 5 .
Then a − c = 9 , lo g a ( b ) = 2 3 and lo g c ( d ) = 4 5 but b − d = 9 3 , nor is it even an integer. If we don't add the integer condition, we could have a be any any positive value in excess of 9 and then set
b = a 2 3 , c = a − 9 and d = ( a − 9 ) 4 5
and still satisfy the original conditions.
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@Brian Charlesworth – Ok got it. Thanks for the correction . But it would be better if we write: Find the integral value of b-d since its unique solution!
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@Prince Loomba – O.k., great. NIce question and solution. :)
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@Brian Charlesworth – Please change the question according to my previous comment
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@Prince Loomba – O.k., done.
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@Brian Charlesworth – Now theres no need to mention that a,b,c,d are integers
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@Prince Loomba – O.k., yeah, I think you're right. I'll remove that condition now. :)
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@Brian Charlesworth – Thanks for your suggestions
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⎩ ⎪ ⎨ ⎪ ⎧ lo g a b = 2 3 lo g c d = 2 5 a − c = 9 ⇒ b = a 2 3 ⇒ d = c 2 5 ⇒ a = c + 9 . . . ( 1 ) . . . ( 2 ) . . . ( 3 )
b − d = a 2 3 − c 4 5 Substituting ( 3 ) : a = c + 9 = ( c + 9 ) 2 3 − c 4 5
For integer solution, ( c + 9 ) 2 1 and c 4 1 must be integers. Therefore, c is a perfect square; let c = n 2 . And c + 9 = n 2 + 3 2 is also a perfect square. We note that if n is a Pythagorean triple, it will fit the bill. In this case, n = 4 and c = 1 6 = 2 4 .
Therefore we have:
b − d = ( c + 9 ) 2 3 − c 4 5 = 5 3 − 2 5 = 1 2 5 − 3 2 = 9 3