Four integers a,b,c,d satisfy a+b=c, a+d=2c. Prove that there exists a rectangular triangle with integer sides whose area equals abcd.
Solution
From the given equations we have a=c−b, d=2c−a=b+c. So abcd=(c−b)⋅b⋅c⋅(b+c)=bc(c2−b2)=21(2bc)(c2−b2). Therefore abcd is the area of a right triangle with legs 2bc and c2−b2. The hypotenuse of that triangle equals (2bc)2+(c2−b2)2=c4+b4+2b2c2=b2+c2. As b and c are positive integers and c>b (since c−b=a>0), the lengths of all three sides, 2bc, c2−b2 and b2+c2 are positive integers.
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Source: MathNet,
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