r can be any number of the form 1+k1, where k is an integer different from 0, −1.
If r>1, let r=1+nm where m,n∈Z+ and (m,n)=1. Since
rr−11=(nn+m)mn
and (n+m,n)=(m,n)=1, we must have n+m=am and n=bm for some a,b∈Z+. This gives am−bm=m. Clearly, a≥b+1. Therefore, we have
m=am−bm=(a−b)(am−1+am−2b+⋯+abm−2+bm−1)≥(1)(1+1+⋯+1)=m.
Equality must hold. This means m=1 (since otherwise a=b=1, contradiction) and a−b=1. Conversely, when m=1, r=1+n1, so that rr−11=(nn+1)n∈Q.
If r<1, let r=1−nm where m,n∈Z+ and (m,n)=1. Since
rr−11=(nn−m)−mn=(n−mn)mn
and (n,n−m)=(n,−m)=1, we must have n=am and n−m=bm for some a,b∈Z+. This gives am−bm=m. Again, the only solution is m=1 and a−b=1.
When m=1, r=1−n1. Since r>0, we need n>1. In that case, we have
rr−11=(n−1n)n∈Q$.
Therefore, r=1+n1 for n≥1 or r=1−n1 for n>1.