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PrintHellenic Mathematical Olympiad
Greece number theory
Problem
Prove that there is an infinite number of triads of positive integers such that
Solution
We write the given relation in the form
We observe that substituting by , leaves invariant the right part of the equality. Thus, if is a solution of the given equation with , then , with , is a solution, as well, because
Since is a solution of the given equation, we obtain a new solution , and then we find the solution . Thus we conclude that the given equation has an infinite number of solutions.
We observe that substituting by , leaves invariant the right part of the equality. Thus, if is a solution of the given equation with , then , with , is a solution, as well, because
Since is a solution of the given equation, we obtain a new solution , and then we find the solution . Thus we conclude that the given equation has an infinite number of solutions.
Techniques
Infinite descent / root flippingVieta's formulas