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Problem 1287

AIME late
Number theory Difficulty 5.4 Prove it Taiwan IMO Selection Camp · Taiwan

Let x,y,zx, y, z be positive integers such that z(xz+1)2=(5z+2y)(2z+y)z(xz+1)^2 = (5z+2y)(2z+y). Prove that zz must be odd and that zz is a perfect square.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

(1) Use proof by contradiction, suppose zz is even, that is z=2z1z = 2z_1. The original equation can be rewritten as: z1(2xz1+1)2=(5z1+y)(4z1+y)z_1(2xz_1+1)^2 = (5z_1+y)(4z_1+y).
Let w=(y,z1)w = (y, z_1), so let y=wy0,z1=wz0y = wy_0, z_1 = wz_0, where (y0,z0)=1(y_0, z_0) = 1.
z0(2xwz0+1)2=w(5z0+y0)(4z0+y0) \Rightarrow z_0(2xwz_0+1)^2 = w(5z_0+y_0)(4z_0+y_0)
Because (z0,5z0+y0)=(z0,4z0+y0)=1(z_0, 5z_0+y_0) = (z_0, 4z_0+y_0) = 1 and (w,(2xwz0+1)2)=1wz0,z0w(w, (2xwz_0+1)^2) = 1 \Rightarrow w|z_0, z_0|w
So w=z0w = z_0 and (2xwz0+1)2=(5z0+y0)(4z0+y0)(2xwz_0+1)^2 = (5z_0+y_0)(4z_0+y_0)
Because (5z0+y0,4z0+y0)=(z0,4z0+y0)=(z0,y0)=1(5z_0+y_0, 4z_0+y_0) = (z_0, 4z_0+y_0) = (z_0, y_0) = 1
Therefore we may set 5z0+y0=m2,4z0+y0=n25z_0+y_0 = m^2, 4z_0+y_0 = n^2, where m,nm, n are positive integers, so m>nm > n, that is mn1m-n \ge 1.
w=z0=m2n22xw2+1=2xwz0+1=mn, \Rightarrow w = z_0 = m^2-n^2 \Rightarrow 2xw^2+1 = 2xwz_0+1 = mn,
Therefore mn=1+2xw2=1+2x(m2n2)2=1+2x(mn)2(m+n)21+2x(m+n)21+8xmn1+8mnmn = 1+2xw^2 = 1+2x(m^2-n^2)^2 = 1+2x(m-n)^2(m+n)^2 \ge 1+2x(m+n)^2 \ge 1+8xmn \ge 1+8mn
That is 7mn17mn \le -1 (contradiction), so zz is not even.

(2) Let w=(y,z)w = (y, z) and y=wy0,z=wz0y = wy_0, z = wz_0, where (y0,z0)=1(y_0, z_0) = 1.
z0(xwz0+1)2=w(5z0+2y0)(2z0+y0) \Rightarrow z_0(xwz_0+1)^2 = w(5z_0+2y_0)(2z_0+y_0)
Because (y0,z0)=1(y_0, z_0) = 1 and z0z_0 is odd,
so (z0,2z0+y0)=1=(z0,5z0+2y0)z0w(z_0, 2z_0+y_0) = 1 = (z_0, 5z_0+2y_0) \Rightarrow z_0|w,
and also (w,(xwz0+1)2)=1wz0(w, (xwz_0+1)^2) = 1 \Rightarrow w|z_0
So z0=w,z=wz0=w2z_0 = w, z = wz_0 = w^2, which completes the proof.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement translated into English from the original; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.