Maths Olympiad Prep

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Number theory Difficulty 6.1 National olympiad Find the answer

Example 35([31.3]) Find all integers n>1n > 1 such that (2n+1)/n2\left(2^{n}+1\right) / n^{2} is an integer.

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

To solve this problem, in addition to the exponential properties and other properties given above, the following conclusion is also required: Let e(k)=3k1e(k)=3^{k-1}, then (a) 3k2c(k)+13^{k} \mid 2^{c(k)}+1, but 3k+13^{k+1} does not divide 2c(k)+12^{c(k)}+1; (b) 3k2s+13^{k} \mid 2^{s}+1 if and only if 3k1s,s3^{k-1} \mid s, s is odd. This problem can be considered the most difficult in the IMO, with only one solution method, which seems unsuitable as a competition problem. Below, we only provide the solution steps, and readers are encouraged to complete the rigorous solving process on their own.
(i) There must be n=3ap1a(1)psa(s),30n=3^{a} p_{1}^{a(1)} \cdots p_{s}^{a(s)}, 30, let cc be the smallest positive integer such that p12c+1p_{1} \mid 2^{c}+1, from this we deduce that c(n,p11)c \mid (n, p_{1}-1), and thus cnc \mid n, and its prime factors are <p1<p_{1}. This implies c=3u(1ua)c=3^{u}(1 \leqslant u \leqslant a). From this, we deduce a=u=1a=u=1, hence p123+1=9p_{1} \mid 2^{3}+1=9. This is impossible.
(iv) Only n=1,3n=1,3. Therefore, n=3n=3.

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Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.