Let the edge lengths of a rectangular prism be x,y,z. According to the problem, we have x2+y2+z2=xyz.
The problem is to prove that the equation x2+y2+z2=xyz has infinitely many positive integer solutions (an,bn,cn), and that among an,bn,cn, the product of any two numbers can be expressed as the sum of the squares of two positive integers.
First, define the sequence {Fn}:
F0=0,F1=1,Fn+2=Fn+1+Fn.
Lemma (1) Fn+1Fn−1−Fn2=(−1)n(n⩾1), particularly F2n+1F2n−1=F2n2+1;
(2) Fn+m=FnFm−1+FmFn+1(m⩾1, n⩾0), particularly F2n+1=Fn2+Fn+12;
(3) 1+F2n−12+F2n+12=3F2n−1F2n+1(n⩾1).
Proof of the lemma: (1) Let xn=Fn+1Fn−1−Fn2. Then x1=−1.
Since xn+1=Fn+2Fn−Fn+12=(Fn+1+Fn)Fn−Fn+12=Fn2−Fn+1(Fn+1−Fn)=Fn2−Fn+1Fn−1=−xn,
Therefore, xn=(−1)n, i.e.,
Fn+1Fn−1−Fn2=(−1)n.
(2) Induction on n: For n=0, it is clearly true. Assume for n=k, Fk+m=FkFm−1+FmFk+1. For n=k+1,
Fk+m+1=FkFm+Fm+1Fk+1=FkFm+(Fm+Fm−1)Fk+1=Fk+1Fm−1+Fm(Fk+Fk+1)=Fk+1Fm−1+FmFk+2,
Thus, it holds for n=k+1.
Therefore, Fn+m=FnFm−1+FmFn+1.
Taking m=n+1 as a special case.
(3) For n=1, 1+F12+F32=6=3F1F3, which is true.
Assume for n=k,
1+F2k−12+F2k+12=3F2k−1F2k+1.
For n=k+1, since F2k−1 is a root of the equation
x2−3F2k+1x+1+F2k+12=0
the other root is
3F2k+1−F2k−1=2F2k+1+F2k=F2k+1+F2k+2=F2k+3,
Thus, 1+F2k+12+F2k+32=3F2k+1F2k+3.
Hence, 1+F2n−12+F2n+12=3F2n−1F2n+1.
Returning to the original problem.
By Lemma (3),
(x,y,z)=(3,3F2n−1,3F2n+1)(n⩾2)
is a solution to x2+y2+z2=xyz, and by Lemmas (2) and (1),
3×3F2n−1=(3Fn−1)2+(3Fn)2,3×3F2n+1=(3Fn)2+(3Fn+1)2,3F2n−1×3F2n+1=(3F2n)2+32.
Therefore, the original equation has infinitely many positive integer solutions (an,bn,cn), such that among an,bn,cn, the product of any two numbers can be expressed as the sum of the squares of two positive integers.
Thus, the conclusion of the original problem is true.