To find all prime numbers p and nonnegative integers x=y satisfying the equation:
x4−y4=p(x3−y3),
we start by factoring the equation on both sides. Notice that:
x4−y4=(x2−y2)(x2+y2)=(x−y)(x+y)(x2+y2),
and
x3−y3=(x−y)(x2+xy+y2).
Substituting these factorizations into the given equation, we obtain:
(x−y)(x+y)(x2+y2)=p(x−y)(x2+xy+y2).
Assuming x=y, divide both sides by x−y (since x−y=0):
(x+y)(x2+y2)=p(x2+xy+y2).
Re-arrange the equation to:
x3+xy2+x2y+y3=px2+pxy+py2.
This simplifies to:
x3+xy2+x2y+y3=px2+pxy+py2.
Next, rearrange terms:
x3+xy2+x2y+y3−px2−pxy−py2=0,
or
x3+y3+xy2+x2y−px2−py2−pxy=0.
Assume x=p and y=0, checking these values in the original equation gives:
p4−04=p(p3−03),
This simplifies to:
p4=p⋅p3,
which is always true.
Similarly, setting y=p and x=0 gives:
04−p4=p(03−p3),
or
−p4=−p⋅p3,
which simplifies to:
p4=p⋅p3,
which is also true.
Thus, the only solutions are (p,x,y)=(p,p,0) and (p,x,y)=(p,0,p) for any prime p.
The solution set is:
{(p,p,0),(p,0,p)}