Pairs satisfying difference of squares

CAT 2019 Slot 2 · QA · Medium · Number theory

How many pairs of (m,n)(m,n) satisfy the equation m2+105=n2m^2 + 105 = n^2?

[TITA]

Answer

4

Explanation

Rearrange as n2m2=105    (nm)(n+m)=105n^2 - m^2 = 105 \implies (n-m)(n+m) = 105.

Since 105=3×5×7105 = 3 \times 5 \times 7, the factor pairs (a,b)(a, b) of 105 where a<ba < b are:

  1. (1,105)(1, 105)
  2. (3,35)(3, 35)
  3. (5,21)(5, 21)
  4. (7,15)(7, 15)

For each pair (a,b)(a, b), nm=an - m = a and n+m=b    n=a+b2,m=ba2n + m = b \implies n = \frac{a+b}{2}, m = \frac{b-a}{2}. Since both aa and bb are odd, a+b2\frac{a+b}{2} and ba2\frac{b-a}{2} are always integers.

Thus, there are 4 positive integer pairs (m,n)(m, n).

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