Determine, with proof, whether there is any odd integer and distinct prime numbers , such that all (, and ) are perfect squares?
China Western Mathematical Olympiad, 2011
Solution
Suppose that there exists odd integer and distinct prime numbers satisfying the given condition.
If all are odd, then all the sums are multiples of , so the prime numbers modulo appear to be and alternatively, and it contradicts to the fact that is odd.
If one of is , then without loss of generality, we may assume that . As both and are perfect squares and both are odd, it follows that and are congruent to modulo . Similar to the discussion in the first case, we know that the primes modulo appear to be and alternatively, so is odd, which is a contradiction.
Hence, there are no odd integer and primes satisfying the given conditions.
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