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Some Quadratics Equal Square (Posted on 2009-08-10) Difficulty: 3 of 5
Determine all possible pair(s) (P, Q) of positive integers such that each of P2 + 3Q and Q2 + 3P is a perfect square.

See The Solution Submitted by K Sengupta    
Rating: 3.0000 (1 votes)

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Solution Analytical solution (spoiler) Comment 2 of 2 |
Let p^2 + 3q = (p + k)^2
    q^2 + 3p = (q + n)^2

    where k and n are positive integers

Squaring and eliminating matching terms
   3q = k(2p+k)
   3p = n(2q+n)
   
Substituting and solving for p and q in terms of k and n gives
  q = k(3k + 2n^2)/(9 - 4kn)
  p = n(3n + 2k^2)/(9 - 4kn)
  
The numerators are > 0, so (9 - 4kn) > 0.  Therefore, kn < 2.25 and the only possible values for (k,n) are (1,1), (1,2), and (2,1).

Substituting gives three values for (p,q), all integral and therefore all solutions:
   (1,1), (11,16) and (16,11)

Edited on August 10, 2009, 3:10 pm

Edited on August 10, 2009, 3:12 pm

Edited on August 10, 2009, 5:05 pm
  Posted by Steve Herman on 2009-08-10 15:08:38

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