To find all ordered pairs of positive integers (m,n) such that mn−1 divides m2+n2, we start by considering the condition:
mn−1m2+n2=cwherec∈Z.
This implies:
m2+n2=c(mn−1).
Rewriting, we get:
m2−cmn+n2+c=0.
Let (m,n) be a solution where m+n is minimized. If (m,n) is a solution, then (m′,n) must also be a solution, where:
m′=cn−m=mn2+c.
Since m′ is positive, cn−m>0, and since m′ is an integer, cn−m≥1.
Assuming m=n and without loss of generality, m>n, we claim n=1. For contradiction, assume n=1. Then n>1 implies m>n>1. By minimality of m+n, we must have:
m+n≤m′+n⟹m≤m′.
However, since m>n>1:
n(m−n)≥2⟹mn−2≥n2⟹m(mn−2)≥mn2>n3,
n(m2−n2)>2m⟹m2n>2m+n3,
2m2n−2m>m2n+n3⟹2m(mn−1)>n(m2+n2)⟹m>cn−m=m′,
a contradiction. Thus, n=1.
For n=1, we have:
m−1m2+1=(m+1)+m−12.
This is an integer if and only if m−1 divides 2. Hence, m=2 or m=3. Therefore, the solutions for m>n are (2,1) and (3,1).
Since the expression is symmetric in m and n, the pairs (m,n) that satisfy mn−1∣m2+n2 are:
(2,1),(3,1),(1,2),(1,3).