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An Inverse Diophantine Puzzle (Posted on 2006-12-06) Difficulty: 2 of 5
Determine all integer solutions of 1/m + 1/n -1/(mnē) = 3/4

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

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Solution re: unique solution? | Comment 2 of 4 |
(In reply to unique solution? by Dennis)

I agree with Dennis.  I solved the equation for m and factored the resulting rational expression:

m = 4(n+1)(n-1)/n(3n-4)

Because m must be an integer, n(3n-4) has to divide evenly into 4(n+1)(n-1).  This means that all factors of n must divide BOTH the denominator AND the numerator here.  Because nonunit factors of n cannot also be factors of (n+1) or (n-1), we know that n must be a factor of 4.  Hence, I only have to check the cases n=1,-1,2,-2,4, and -4.  It is simple to show that the only possible value resulting in a nonzero integral value for m is n=2.

The solution is n=2, m=3.  I agree with Dennis' claim that it is unique.

Thank you K Sengupta for the puzzle!!

-John


  Posted by John Reid on 2006-12-06 22:39:55
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