Which is the smallest positive integer admitting three distinct representations as the difference of two squares?
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N = m 2 − n 2 .Consider m = n + k
N = ( n + k ) − n 2 = 2 n k + k 2 = k ( 2 n + k ) .
We have to find smallest N so, it can be expressed as difference between two perfect squares in three different ways.So, there will be 3 distinct values of k such that there will be an integral n then the given condition will be met.
For minimum N should be comprised of three factors(not necessarily distinct).If k is chosen odd then other part should be odd because n shoul be integer..
If k is chosen even then other part should be even forthe above reason.So,either N will contain only even numbers or odd numbers. N can be 2 × 4 × 6 or 3 × 3 × 5 .Form the first part k will be 2 , 4 , 6 .From second option k will be 1 , 3 , 5 .
So, minimum is N = 4 5 because 4 5 = 9 2 − 6 2 = 7 2 − 2 2 = 2 3 2 − 2 2 2