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Difference between revisions of "2010 IMO Problems/Problem 3"

(Created page with '== Problem == Find all functions <math>g:\mathbb{N}\rightarrow\mathbb{N}</math> such that <math>\left(g(m)+n\right)\left(g(n)+m\right)</math> is a perfect square for all <math>m…')
 
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''Author: Gabriel Carroll, USA''
 
''Author: Gabriel Carroll, USA''
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== Solution ==
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Suppose such function <math>g</math> exist then:
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Lemma 1) <math>g(m) \ne g(m+1)</math>
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Assume for contradiction that  <math>g(m) = g(m+1)</math>
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<math>\left(g(m+1)+m\right)\left(g(m)+m+1\right)</math> has to be a perfect square
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but  <math>\left(g(m)+m\right)^2<\left(g(m+1)+m\right)\left(g(m)+m+1\right)<\left(g(m)+m+1\right)^2</math>.
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A square cannot be between 2 consecutive squares. Contradiction. Thus,  <math>g(m) \ne g(m+1)</math>
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<br />
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Lemma 2) <math>|g(m)-g(m+1)| = 1</math> (we have show that it can't be 0)
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Assume for contradiction, that <math>|g(m)-g(m+1)| > 1</math>. Then there must exist a prime number <math>p</math> such that <math>g(m)</math> and <math>g(m+1)</math> are in the same residue class modulo <math>p</math>.
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If <math>|g(m)-g(m+1)| = p^aq</math> where <math>q</math> is not divisible by <math>p</math>.
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<br />
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If <math>a=1</math>.
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Consider an <math>n</math> such that <math>g(m)+n =p^3</math>
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<math>g(m+1)+n = p^3 \pm pq =p (r)</math> , where <math>r</math> is not divisible by <math>p</math>
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<br />
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If <math>a>1</math>.
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Consider an <math>n</math> such that <math>g(m)+n =p</math>
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<math>g(m+1)+n = p \pm p^aq =p (r)</math> , where <math>r</math> is not divisible by <math>p</math>
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<br /><br />
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At least one of <math>g(n)+m</math> , <math>g(n)+m+1</math> is not divisible by <math>p</math>. Hence,
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At least one of <math>(g(m+1)+n )(g(n)+m +1)</math>,  <math>(g(m)+n )(g(n)+m)</math> is divisible by an odd amount of <math>p</math>.
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Hence, that number is not a perfect square.

Revision as of 22:35, 23 October 2010

Problem

Find all functions $g:\mathbb{N}\rightarrow\mathbb{N}$ such that $\left(g(m)+n\right)\left(g(n)+m\right)$ is a perfect square for all $m,n\in\mathbb{N}.$

Author: Gabriel Carroll, USA

Solution

Suppose such function $g$ exist then:

Lemma 1) $g(m) \ne g(m+1)$

Assume for contradiction that $g(m) = g(m+1)$ 

$\left(g(m+1)+m\right)\left(g(m)+m+1\right)$ has to be a perfect square

but $\left(g(m)+m\right)^2<\left(g(m+1)+m\right)\left(g(m)+m+1\right)<\left(g(m)+m+1\right)^2$. 

A square cannot be between 2 consecutive squares. Contradiction. Thus,  $g(m) \ne g(m+1)$



Lemma 2) $|g(m)-g(m+1)| = 1$ (we have show that it can't be 0)

Assume for contradiction, that $|g(m)-g(m+1)| > 1$. Then there must exist a prime number $p$ such that $g(m)$ and $g(m+1)$ are in the same residue class modulo $p$.

If $|g(m)-g(m+1)| = p^aq$ where $q$ is not divisible by $p$.


If $a=1$.

Consider an $n$ such that $g(m)+n =p^3$

$g(m+1)+n = p^3 \pm pq =p (r)$ , where $r$ is not divisible by $p$



If $a>1$.

Consider an $n$ such that $g(m)+n =p$

$g(m+1)+n = p \pm p^aq =p (r)$ , where $r$ is not divisible by $p$



At least one of $g(n)+m$ , $g(n)+m+1$ is not divisible by $p$. Hence,

At least one of $(g(m+1)+n )(g(n)+m +1)$, $(g(m)+n )(g(n)+m)$ is divisible by an odd amount of $p$.

Hence, that number is not a perfect square.

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