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Number theory Difficulty 7.7 National olympiad, round 2 Find the answer

Find digits x,y,zx, y, z such that the equality
xxx2n timesyyyn times=zzzn times\sqrt{\underbrace{\overline{xx\cdots x}}_{2n \text{ times}}-\underbrace{\overline{yy\cdots y}}_{n \text{ times}}}=\underbrace{\overline{zz\cdots z}}_{n \text{ times}}
holds for at least two values of nNn \in \mathbb N, and in that case find all nn for which this equality is true.

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

Solution

To solve the given problem, we first need to interpret the expression given in the problem statement:

The expression:
xxx2n timesyyyn times=zzzn times \sqrt{\underbrace{\overline{xx\cdots x}}_{2n \text{ times}}-\underbrace{\overline{yy\cdots y}}_{n \text{ times}}}=\underbrace{\overline{zz\cdots z}}_{n \text{ times}}

Essentially means that:
1. xxx2n times\underbrace{\overline{xx\cdots x}}_{2n \text{ times}} represents a number with the digit xx repeated 2n2n times.
2. yyyn times\underbrace{\overline{yy\cdots y}}_{n \text{ times}} represents a number with the digit yy repeated nn times.
3. zzzn times\underbrace{\overline{zz\cdots z}}_{n \text{ times}} represents a number with the digit zz repeated nn times.

Let's rewrite these terms in a clearer mathematical form:
- xxx2n times=x×102n19\underbrace{\overline{xx\cdots x}}_{2n \text{ times}} = x \times \frac{10^{2n} - 1}{9}
- yyyn times=y×10n19\underbrace{\overline{yy\cdots y}}_{n \text{ times}} = y \times \frac{10^n - 1}{9}
- zzzn times=z×10n19\underbrace{\overline{zz\cdots z}}_{n \text{ times}} = z \times \frac{10^n - 1}{9}

Substituting these into the equality, we have:
x×102n19y×10n19=z×10n19 \sqrt{x \times \frac{10^{2n} - 1}{9} - y \times \frac{10^n - 1}{9}} = z \times \frac{10^n - 1}{9}

Squaring both sides to eliminate the square root, we get:
x×102n19y×10n19=z2×(10n19)2 x \times \frac{10^{2n} - 1}{9} - y \times \frac{10^n - 1}{9} = z^2 \times \left( \frac{10^n - 1}{9} \right)^2

Upon simplifying:
9x(102n1)=9y(10n1)+9z2(10n1)2 9x(10^{2n} - 1) = 9y(10^n - 1) + 9z^2(10^n - 1)^2

Further simplifying, we have:
x(102n1)=y(10n1)+z2(10n1)2 x(10^{2n} - 1) = y(10^n - 1) + z^2(10^n - 1)^2

### Solving for x,y, and zx, y, \text{ and } z:

#### Case 1: x=0x = 0, y=0y = 0, z=0z = 0

When x=0x = 0, y=0y = 0, and z=0z = 0, the equation simplifies naturally since both sides become zero.
0=0 0 = 0
This holds for any nn.

#### Case 2: x=1x = 1, y=2y = 2, z=3z = 3

Substitute these values into the simplified equation:
1(102n1)=2(10n1)+9(10n1)2 1(10^{2n} - 1) = 2(10^n - 1) + 9(10^n - 1)^2

Upon simplifying and verifying:
This equation holds for multiple nn, including n=1n = 1 and n=2n = 2.

#### Case 3: x=4x = 4, y=8y = 8, z=6z = 6

Substitute these into the equation:
4(102n1)=8(10n1)+36(10n1)2 4(10^{2n} - 1) = 8(10^n - 1) + 36(10^n - 1)^2

The verification process will show this holds for n=1n = 1 and n=3n = 3.

In conclusion, these values of xx, yy, and zz work for at least two different values of nn. The valid solutions are:

(x,y,z)=(0,0,0),(1,2,3),(4,8,6) \boxed{(x, y, z) = (0, 0, 0), (1, 2, 3), (4, 8, 6)}

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