A 1 + B A + A B 1 = 1
How many ordered pairs of positive integers ( A , B ) exists satisfying the above equation?
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.
Perfect ! I too did the same way
We can write the given equation as A 2 − B A + B + 1 = 0 , and we can solve for A to find A = 2 B ± ( B − 2 ) 2 − 8 . The only way that ( B − 2 ) 2 − 8 can be a perfect square is ( B − 2 ) 2 = 9 and B = 5 . Then A = 2 5 ± 1 , giving us 2 solutions.
For completeness, can you elaboration on why "the only way that ( B − 2 ) 2 − 8 can be a perfect square is ..."?
Even a hint like "Using the typical factorization trick of 8 = N 2 − ( B − 2 ) 2 = ( N + B − 2 ) ( N − B + 2 ) makes it easier for others to follow.
@Satyajit Mohanty Given that the equation is not symmetric in A and B, I do not think that it makes sense to talk about un-ordered pairs.
Log in to reply
I agree. I just have a bad habit of adding the term "un-ordered" pairs while designing/modifying a problem! I've changed it. Thanks for informing me.
A 1 + B A + A B 1 ⇒ A B B + A 2 + 1 ⇒ B + A 2 + 1 − A B ⇒ ( B − A B ) + ( A 2 − 1 ) + 2 ⇒ ( A − B + 1 ) ( A − 1 ) = − 2 = 1 = 1 = 0 = 0 Now, if x , y ∈ Z , x y = − 2 , then ( x , y ) = ( ± 1 , ± 2 ) . \begin{equation*}A - B + 1 = 1, A - 1 = -2 \Rightarrow (A, B) = (-1, -1) \\ A - B + 1 = -2, A - 1 = 1 \Rightarrow (A, B) = (2, 5) \\ A - B + 1 = -1, A - 1 = 2 \Rightarrow (A, B) = (3, 5) \\ A - B + 1 = 2, A - 1 = -1 \Rightarrow (A, B) = (0, -1) \end{equation*} Only ( 2 , 5 ) and ( 3 , 5 ) are positive integers. Hence, 2 is the answer.
Problem Loading...
Note Loading...
Set Loading...
Simplifying the expression, we have B = A − 1 A 2 + 1 = A − 1 ( ( A − 1 ) + 1 ) 2 + 1 = ( A − 1 ) + 2 + A − 1 2 Since B is an integer, A − 1 must divide 2 . Also, since A is a positive integer, there are only two possibilities A − 1 = 1 or A − 1 = 2 , i.e., A = 2 or A = 3 . Both cases yields B = 5 . Hence only two ordered pairs of positive solutions are possible.