x^2-y^2 = y^2-z^2 = 5 is a classic problem that can be solved in the rationals, with, e.g.:
(49/12)2-(41/12)2 = (41/12)2-(31/12)2 = 5
(Fibonacci).
We seek non-trivial rational solutions to x^2-y^2 = y^2-z^2 = P, with P prime. Since we can always find compound multiples of such solutions with other primes happily joining the chain, let's call these paragons 'conga primes'. (Conversely, primes that only appear in conjunction with other primes could be 'tango primes', since it takes at least two...)
1. Solve over the rationals:
x^2-y^2 = y^2-z^2 = 7
x^2-y^2 = y^2-z^2 = 41
2. Give an example of a 'conga prime', P, greater than 41, such that x^2-y^2 = y^2-z^2 = P.
DATA 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 13 , 17 , 19 , 23 , 29 , 31 , 37 , 41 , 43 , 47 , 53 , 59
DATA 61 , 67 , 71 , 73 , 79 , 83 , 89 , 97 , 101 , 103 , 107 , 109 , 113
CLS
DIM prm(30)
FOR i = 1 TO 30: READ prm(i): NEXT
FOR tot = 6 TO 999999
FOR a = -INT(-tot / 3) TO tot - 3
r = tot - a
FOR b = -INT(-r / 2) TO r - 1
IF b >= a THEN EXIT FOR
c = r - b
IF c < b THEN
b2 = b * b
diff2 = b2 - c * c
IF a * a - b2 = diff2 THEN
FOR p = 1 TO 30
q = diff2 / prm(p)
IF q = INT(q) THEN
sr = INT(SQR(q) + .5)
IF sr * sr = q THEN
if gcd(gcd(a,b),c)=1 then
PRINT a; b; c, sr, prm(p)
end if
END IF
END IF
NEXT
END IF
END IF
NEXT
NEXT
NEXT tot
FUNCTION gcd (x, y)
dnd = x: dvr = y
IF dnd < dvr THEN SWAP dnd, dvr
DO
q = INT(dnd / dvr)
r = dnd - q * dvr
dnd = dvr: dvr = r
LOOP UNTIL r = 0
gcd = dnd
END FUNCTION
finds
49 41 31 12 5
463 337 113 120 7
meaning
(49/12)^2 - (41/12)^2 = (41/12)^2 - (31/12)^2 = 5
(463/120)^2 - (337/120)^2 = (337/120)^2 - (113/120)^2 = 7
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Posted by Charlie
on 2013-03-26 08:35:08 |