Find all pairs of positive rational numbers where the sum of the numbers in a pair is an integer and the sum of (multiplicative) inverses of the numbers in a pair is also an integer.
Solutions — 2
Solution 1
Let the numbers in the pair be represented as reduced fractions and . For
to be an integer, we must have
with being some integer. By writing the equality (2) as and taking into account that and are relatively prime, we see that is divisible by . By writing the same equality (2) in a form and taking into account that and are relatively prime, we see that is divisible by . Therefore .
For also to be an integer, we analogously must have . Therefore .
Consequently and are both integers. If , then . If , then , implying and as the only possibility. If , then similarly .
Solution 2
Let the numbers in the pair be represented as reduced fractions and , and let and . Then and , whence . Therefore , or . The resulting equation is equivalent to , giving
For to be an integer, we must have where is an integer. Now
Therefore must also be a square of an integer. This is only possible when – therefore or . The first option is not possible, because and are the sums
of positive real numbers. The second option gives three possible cases: can either be or . It remains to find all possible values of from (3) and calculate .
For also to be an integer, we analogously must have . Therefore .
Consequently and are both integers. If , then . If , then , implying and as the only possibility. If , then similarly .