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15-Moonstone
September 14, 2023
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Solution to a task from IMO 1988 - calculation of examples

  • September 14, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 2202 views

In 1988, the International Mathematical Olympiad was given the task B3: If for integers x and y the term (x^2+y^2)/(1+x*y) is a natural number N, then N is a square number. The solution does not require advanced mathematics, but is very challenging. I have attached a German language file MC14. I saved myself a translation into English because the solution should be self-explanatory with little translation help. Examples are included at the end of the file.

In the solution, a recursion is constructed based on starting values that have yet to be found. And that's my problem. My programming knowledge is not sufficient to find starting values and apply the recursion described in the solution - I therefore ask for help.

Best answer by Werner_E

Are you looking for something like this:

Werner_E_1-1694714513303.png

 

1 reply

Werner_E25-Diamond IAnswer
25-Diamond I
September 14, 2023

Are you looking for something like this:

Werner_E_1-1694714513303.png

 

15-Moonstone
September 15, 2023

Thank you. The calculation also shows the canceling recursion according to "infinite descent". This is very helpful for understanding the solution.

25-Diamond I
September 15, 2023

Die Erstellung der Liste geht natürlich einfacher ohne Verwendung der lokal definierten rekursiven Funktion s(k).

ZB

Werner_E_0-1694770603250.png

oder auch

Werner_E_1-1694770618035.png