Let a, b, c be distinct positive integers and let r, s, t be positive integers such that: ab+1=r2,ac+1=s2,bc+1=t2. Prove that it is not possible that all three fractions trs, srt and rst are positive integers. (Miljen Mikić)
Solution
Assume on the contrary that trs, srt, rst are positive integers. Without loss of generality we may assume that a<b<c. Since trs is a positive integer, t2r2s2 is also a positive integer, and hence t2r2s2=bc+1a2bc+ab+ac+1=a2+bc+1ab+ac+1−a2 is also a positive integer. Since a<b<c, we have ab+ac+1−a2>ac+1=s2>0. Therefore, both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction bc+1ab+ac+1−a2 are positive, so ab+ac+1−a2≥bc+1⟹(b−a)(c−a)≤0, which is a contradiction.
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