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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

Compute the number of ordered pairs of complex numbers such that and such that the real and imaginary parts of and are integers.
Solution
Because and have integer parts, and are nonnegative integers. From , it follows that . So and are positive integers whose product is . We will divide the count into three cases: , , and .

Let’s handle the case first. In that case, is a small divisor of : either , or .

If , then we have choices for : either or .

If , then we have choices: .

If , then we have choices: or .

If , then we have choices: or .

Altogether, we have choices for . Each such choice gives a single valid choice for , namely . So we have pairs in the case .

Let’s next handle the case . In that case, . So we have choices for : either or . Each such choice determines , namely . So we have pairs in the case .

Finally, we have the case . By symmetry, it has the same count as the first case . So we have pairs in this case.

Altogether, the number of pairs is , which is .
Final answer
48