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China Mathematical Competition

China geometry

Problem

Suppose that the line : (, are integers) intercepts an ellipse at two different points , , and intercepts the hyperbola at two different points , . Can the line be such that ? If yes, how many different possibilities are there for the line ? If no, explain the reason.
Solution
For by eliminating and simplifying it, we get Define , . Then . For by eliminating and simplifying it, we get Define , . Then . From we get , which implies that . Then Therefore, or (discarded). Then a possible solution is either or . When , from ① and ② we have . As is an integer, it can be . When , from ① and ② we have . As is an integer, it can be . Combining the results above, we conclude that there are nine lines in total satisfying the given conditions.
Final answer
9

Techniques

Cartesian coordinatesVectorsVieta's formulasLinear and quadratic inequalities