X & Y

x y = y x y x^y = y^{x-y}

Find the sum of all positive integers x x and y y satisfying the above equation.


The answer is 24.

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1 solution

The given equation can be reduced to the form :

( x y ) y = y x (xy) ^y=y^x . Hence x x must be an integral power of y y . Say x = y n x=y^n where n n is a positive integer (since x x is a positive integer).

Then y ( n + 1 ) y = y y n y n 1 = n + 1 y^{(n+1)y}=y^{y^n}\implies y^{n-1}=n+1 . For n 4 , y n\geq 4,y can never be an integer. So, let us consider the following cases :

1 \boxed 1 n = 0 n=0

In this case, x = y 0 = 1 x=y^0=1 . Then 1 y = y 1 y y 1 y = 1 y = 1 1^y=y^{1-y}\implies y^{1-y}=1\implies y=1 .

2 \boxed 2 n = 1 n=1

In this case, y y = y 0 = 1 y = 1 = x y^y=y^0=1\implies y=1=x .

3 \boxed 3 n = 2 n=2

In this case, y = 3 x = 3 2 = 9 y=3\implies x=3^2=9 .

4 \boxed 4 n = 3 n=3

In this case, y 2 = 4 y = 2 , x = 2 3 = 8 y^2=4\implies y=2,x=2^3=8 .

Hence, the sum of all the values of x x and y y is 1 + 1 + 9 + 3 + 8 + 2 = 24 1+1+9+3+8+2=\boxed {24} .

Same problem as here . Your solution is much neater than mine was!

Chris Lewis - 1 year, 1 month ago

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How are you Chris?

A Former Brilliant Member - 1 year, 1 month ago

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Tired. Self isolation plus working from home plus two young kids does not equal relaxation. How are you?

Chris Lewis - 1 year, 1 month ago

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