Stay ahead of learning milestones! Enroll in a class over the summer!

G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
All classes run 7:30pm-8:45pm ET/4:30pm - 5:45pm PT unless otherwise noted.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 1
Tuesday, May 13 - Aug 26
Thursday, May 29 - Sep 11
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Monday, Jun 30 - Oct 20
Wednesday, Jul 16 - Oct 29

Prealgebra 2 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 2
Wednesday, May 7 - Aug 20
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 29 - Oct 26
Friday, Jul 25 - Nov 21

Introduction to Algebra A Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra A
Sunday, May 11 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Wednesday, May 14 - Aug 27
Friday, May 30 - Sep 26
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Thursday, Jun 26 - Oct 9
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Oct 28

Introduction to Counting & Probability Self-Paced

Introduction to Counting & Probability
Thursday, May 15 - Jul 31
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Wednesday, Jul 9 - Sep 24
Sunday, Jul 27 - Oct 19

Introduction to Number Theory
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Monday, Jun 9 - Aug 25
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Sep 30

Introduction to Algebra B Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra B
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Sunday, May 11 - Nov 9
Tuesday, May 20 - Oct 28
Monday, Jun 16 - Dec 8
Friday, Jun 20 - Jan 9
Sunday, Jun 29 - Jan 11
Monday, Jul 14 - Jan 19

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 23
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Nov 18
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 10
Sunday, Jul 13 - Jan 18
Thursday, Jul 24 - Jan 22

Intermediate Counting & Probability
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Tuesday, May 27 - Nov 11
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 17

Group Theory
Thursday, Jun 12 - Sep 11

Contest Preparation: Grades 6-12

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
Friday, May 23 - Aug 15
Monday, Jun 2 - Aug 18
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
Sunday, May 11 - Aug 10
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Problem Series
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Final Fives
Sunday, May 11 - Jun 8
Tuesday, May 27 - Jun 17
Monday, Jun 30 - Jul 21

AMC 12 Problem Series
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Oct 22

AMC 12 Final Fives
Sunday, May 18 - Jun 15

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

F=ma Problem Series
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27

WOOT Programs
Visit the pages linked for full schedule details for each of these programs!


MathWOOT Level 1
MathWOOT Level 2
ChemWOOT
CodeWOOT
PhysicsWOOT

Programming

Introduction to Programming with Python
Thursday, May 22 - Aug 7
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

Intermediate Programming with Python
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

USACO Bronze Problem Series
Tuesday, May 13 - Jul 29
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 1

Physics

Introduction to Physics
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
Divisibility..
Sadigly   1
N 8 minutes ago by Mathzeus1024
Source: Azerbaijan Junior MO 2025 P2
Find all $4$ consecutive even numbers, such that the square of their product is divisible by the sum of their squares.
1 reply
Sadigly
5 hours ago
Mathzeus1024
8 minutes ago
official solution of IGO
ABCD1728   7
N 31 minutes ago by ABCD1728
Source: IGO official website
Where can I get the official solution of IGO for 2023 and 2024, there are some inhttps://imogeometry.blogspot.com/p/iranian-geometry-olympiad.html, but where can I find them on the official website, thanks :)
7 replies
ABCD1728
May 4, 2025
ABCD1728
31 minutes ago
Combo geo with circles
a_507_bc   10
N 34 minutes ago by EthanWYX2009
Source: 239 MO 2024 S8
There are $2n$ points on the plane. No three of them lie on the same straight line and no four lie on the same circle. Prove that it is possible to split these points into $n$ pairs and cover each pair of points with a circle containing no other points.
10 replies
a_507_bc
May 22, 2024
EthanWYX2009
34 minutes ago
Vietnam TST #5
IMOStarter   2
N 40 minutes ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: Vietnam TST 2022 P5
A fractional number $x$ is called pretty if it has finite expression in base$-b$ numeral system, $b$ is a positive integer in $[2;2022]$. Prove that there exists finite positive integers $n\geq 4$ that with every $m$ in $(\frac{2n}{3}; n)$ then there is at least one pretty number between $\frac{m}{n-m}$ and $\frac{n-m}{m}$
2 replies
IMOStarter
Apr 27, 2022
cursed_tangent1434
40 minutes ago
Find max
tranlenhanhbnd   0
an hour ago
Let $x,y,z>0$ and $x^2+y^2+z^2=1$. Find max
$D=\dfrac{x}{\sqrt{2 y z+1}}+\dfrac{y}{\sqrt{2 z x+1}}+\dfrac{z}{\sqrt{2 x y+1}}$.
0 replies
tranlenhanhbnd
an hour ago
0 replies
triangle ABC, # BCDE, BE//AM, BE=AM/2, midpoint (Greece Junior 2014)
parmenides51   8
N 2 hours ago by AylyGayypow009
Let $ABC$ be a triangle and let $M$ be the midpoint $BC$. On the exterior of the triangle, consider the parallelogram $BCDE$ such that $BE//AM$ and $BE=AM/2$ . Prove that line $EM$ passes through the midpoint of segment $AD$.
8 replies
parmenides51
Jul 14, 2019
AylyGayypow009
2 hours ago
a,b,c irrational, f(x)=ax^2+bx+c : [-1,1] to [-1,1] surjective
tom-nowy   1
N 3 hours ago by alexheinis
Consider a quadratic function $f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c$, where the coefficients $a, b,$ and $c$ are all irrational numbers.
Is it possible for this function to have a maximum value of $1$ and a minimum value of $-1$ over the interval $[-1, 1]$?
1 reply
tom-nowy
Yesterday at 11:03 PM
alexheinis
3 hours ago
Inequalities
sqing   0
4 hours ago
Let $ 0\leq x,y,z\leq 2. $ Prove that
$$-48\leq (x-yz)( 3y-zx)(z-xy)\leq 9$$$$-144\leq (3x-yz)(y-zx)(3z-xy)\leq\frac{81}{64}$$$$-144\leq (3x-yz)(2y-zx)(3z-xy)\leq\frac{81}{16}$$
0 replies
sqing
4 hours ago
0 replies
How inflated are current aime/amc problems
derekli   2
N Today at 6:36 AM by Mathgloggers
So I've been working on a math grinding tool in Stellar Learning (https://stellarlearning.app/competitive) and I was wondering how to make an algorithm that can calculate the difficulty of a problem. Specifically I want to know how difficult past AIMEs and AMC 10s and other contests are, compared to our current contests. I'm planning to make a problem ELO system similar to mathdash or something like that. Any help would be appreciated! Again if you would like to support me you may consider joining our developer team! :D
2 replies
derekli
Today at 1:30 AM
Mathgloggers
Today at 6:36 AM
2023 Official Mock NAIME #15 f(f(f(x))) = f(f(x))
parmenides51   1
N Today at 4:53 AM by jasperE3
How many non-bijective functions $f$ exist that satisfy $f(f(f(x))) = f(f(x))$ for all real $x$ and the domain of f is strictly within the set of $\{1,2,3,5,6,7,9\}$, the range being $\{1,2,4,6,7,8,9\}$?

Even though this is an AIME problem, a proof is mandatory for full credit. Constants must be ignored as we dont want an infinite number of solutions.
1 reply
parmenides51
Dec 4, 2023
jasperE3
Today at 4:53 AM
Inequalities
sqing   3
N Today at 3:29 AM by sqing
Let $ a,b>0 $ and $\frac{a}{a^2+3}+ \frac{b}{b^2+ 3} \geq \frac{1}{2} . $ Prove that
$$a^2+ab+b^2\geq 3$$$$a^2-ab+b^2 \geq 1 $$Let $ a,b>0 $ and $\frac{a}{a^3+3}+ \frac{b}{b^3+ 3}\geq \frac{1}{2} . $ Prove that
$$a^3+ab+b^3 \geq 3$$$$ a^3-ab+b^3\geq 1 $$
3 replies
sqing
May 7, 2025
sqing
Today at 3:29 AM
exist solutions?
teomihai   6
N Today at 12:05 AM by iwastedmyusername
Find how many perfect squares of five different digits there are, with elements from the set ${0,1,4,6,9}$.
6 replies
teomihai
Yesterday at 5:04 PM
iwastedmyusername
Today at 12:05 AM
A pentagon inscribed in a circle of radius √2
tom-nowy   6
N Yesterday at 11:55 PM by anticodon
Can a pentagon with all rational side lengths be inscribed in a circle of radius $\sqrt{2}$ ?
6 replies
tom-nowy
May 6, 2025
anticodon
Yesterday at 11:55 PM
Menelau's theorem
noneofyou34   6
N Yesterday at 11:10 PM by Shan3t
Please can someone help me prove that orthocenter of a triangle exists by using Menelau's Theorem!
6 replies
noneofyou34
Yesterday at 5:52 PM
Shan3t
Yesterday at 11:10 PM
IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
orl   55
N May 6, 2025 by reni_wee
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
Determine all pairs $(x,y)$ of positive integers such that $x^{2}y+x+y$ is divisible by $xy^{2}+y+7$.
55 replies
orl
Oct 22, 2004
reni_wee
May 6, 2025
IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
G H J
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
orl
3647 posts
#1 • 10 Y
Y by Davi-8191, mathematicsy, samrocksnature, Adventure10, megarnie, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, MAS5236, ItsBesi, cubres
Determine all pairs $(x,y)$ of positive integers such that $x^{2}y+x+y$ is divisible by $xy^{2}+y+7$.
Attachments:
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by orl, Oct 23, 2004, 12:38 PM
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
orl
3647 posts
#2 • 6 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, megarnie, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, cubres
Please post your solutions. This is just a solution template to write up your solutions in a nice way and formatted in LaTeX. But maybe your solution is so well written that this is not required finally. For more information and instructions regarding the ISL/ILL problems please look here: introduction for the IMO ShortList/LongList project and regardingsolutions :)
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
orl
3647 posts
#3 • 6 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, MarioLuigi8972, Tastymooncake2, cubres
Unchecked solution by nhat:

find all a,b in positive integer such that:
$\frac {a^{2}*b+a+b}{a*b^2+b+7}$ in positive integer
I want the another solution which is different to the solution of IMO
here my solution
for this case a=b we easy to have the solution
if a<b then $a*b*(a-b)+a-7$<0 (contradition)
hence a>b
let a in $(m*b,(m+1)*b)$ (m i positive integer)
then we easy to prove that : m<$\frac {a^{2}*b+a+b}{a*b^2+b+7}$<(m+1) (contradition)
so a divisible to b
give $a=k*b$ (k in positive integer)
then
$\frac{k^2*b^3+k*b+b}{k*b^3+b+7}$=$\frac{b*{k^2*b^2+k+1}}{k*b^3+b+7}$
if $(a,7)=1$ then $(b,k*b^3+b+7)=1$
so that $\frac {k^2*b^2+k+1}{k*b^3+b+7}$ in positive integer
and we esay to prove that k>b
so easy to prove that \[k\equiv 0 (mod b)\] so $k=q*b$ (b >= 3and q i positive integer)
then $\frac {k^2*b^2+k+1}{k*b^3+b+7}$=${\{q^2*b^4+q*b+1}{q*b^4+b+1}$=$q$+$\frac {1-q}{q*b^4+b+1}$ (contradition)
if b divisible to 7 so that $b=7*u$ (u in positive integer)
and easy to prove that u=k (it's similar for this case two)
so we have the solution $a=7*k^2$,$b=7*k$
my solution hasor hasn't correct :D :D :D
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
paladin8
3237 posts
#4 • 6 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, cubres, and 1 other user
The solution given isn't quite correct... there are at least two missing solutions: $(11,1)$ and $(49,1)$.

$11^2+11+1 = 133$, which is divisible by $11+1+7 = 19$.
$49^2+49+1 = 2451$, which is divisible by $49+1+7 = 57$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
paladin8
3237 posts
#5 • 16 Y
Y by acupofmath, DominicanAOPSer, techniqq, Understandingmathematics, myh2910, samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, MAS5236, cubres, and 5 other users
My full solution...

If $(xy^2+y+7)|(x^2y+x+y)$, then there exists a positive integer $k$ such that $k(xy^2+y+7) = x^2y+x+y$ , or

$7k-y = (xy+1)(x-ky)$ .

First we claim that all solutions have both sides nonnegative.

Suppose $7k-y < 0$ . But then we have

$|7k-y| < |y| < |xy+1| < |xy+1||x-ky|$ ,

which is a contradiction. So both sides are nonnegative. Now consider the two cases: (1) both sides are zero, and (2) both sides are positive.

Case 1: Both sides are zero.

Then we have $7k-y = 0 \Rightarrow y = 7k$ . And also $(xy+1)(x-ky) = 0$, but since $xy+1 > 0$ we know $x-ky = 0 \Rightarrow x = ky = 7k^2$ . So we have all solutions of the form $(x,y) = (7k^2, 7k)$ .

Case 2: Both sides are positive.

Then $x > ky$ so the RHS is positive. So we have $7k > 7k-y = (xy+1)(x-ky) > (xy+1) > y^2k+1$. Hence $y < 3$ . So we check $y = 1, 2$ .

For $y = 1$ , we have $(x+8)|(x^2+x+1)$. Since

$\frac{x^2+x+1}{x+8} = x-7+\frac{57}{x+8}$ ,

we have $(x+8)|57 \Rightarrow x = 11, 49$ , giving the solutions $(11,1)$ and $(49,1)$ .

For $y = 2$ , we have $(4x+9)|(2x^2+x+2) \Rightarrow (4x+9)|(4x^2+2x+4)$ . Since

$\frac{4x^2+2x+4}{4x+9} = x-\frac{7x-4}{4x+9}$ ,

so $(4x+9)|(7x-4)$ . But since $2(4x+9) > 7x-4$ , we must have $4x+9 = 7x-4$ , which does not have an integer solution.

Hence our only solutions are $(x,y) = (11,1); (49,1); (7k^2, 7k)$ for positive integers $k$ .
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
abdurashidjon
119 posts
#6 • 7 Y
Y by techniqq, samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, cubres, and 1 other user
Here my solution I hope there are no mistakes
Let $ab^2+b+7=n$ then $ab^2\cong -b-7 (mod n) \rightarrow a^2b^2\cong -ab-7a (mod n)$
and $a^2b\cong -a-b (mod n) \rightarrow a^2b^2\cong -ab-b^2(mod n)$ from here
$\rightarrow 7a \cong b^2(mod n)$ so $n$ divides both $(ab^2+b+7)$ and $a(b^2-7a)$ so
$(ab^2+b+7)-a(b^2-7a)=b+7+7a^2$ then n divides $b+7+7a^2$ , too.
so $b+7+7a^2\geq ab^2+b+7 \rightarrow 7a \geq b^2$. Lets share it in two parts
1) $7a-b^2=0 \rightarrow (a,b)=(7k^2,7k)$
2) $7a-b^2>0$
Since we have found that $n|(7a-b^2)$ then $7a-b^2\geq ab^2+b+7$ from here we will have
$(7-b^2)(a+1)\geq b+14$. $b+14>0$ then $(7-b^2)(a+1)>0$ also $(a+1)>0$ then we have to have $(7-b^2)>0$ here $b$ is positive integer then $b= 1$ or $2$ otherwise inequality will lead to contradiction
If $b=1$ then the problem will become as $\frac{a^2+a+1}{a+8}$
Let $k=a+8$ then $a^2\cong -a-1 (mod k) (i)$
$a\cong -8(mod k)\rightarrow a^2\cong 64 (mod k) (ii)$
from $(i)$ and $(ii)$ we will have $-a-1\cong 64 (mod k)$ and $a+65$ is divisible by $k$ then

$\frac{a+65}{a+8}=\frac{a+8}{a+8} + \frac{57}{a+8}$ so $\frac{57}{a+8} (iii)$ is an integer, too.
so there are just two solutions for $(iii)$ those are $a=11$ or $49$ ( think didisors of $57$)
If $b=2$ by simliar of previous we will show that there is no solution for $b=2$
So the solutions are $(a,b) = (11,1), (49,1), (7k^2,7k)$
We are done
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
dgreenb801
1896 posts
#7 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
If $ x < y$ then it is easy to see there are no solutions.
By the division algorithm, we can let $ x = ay + b$, where $ 0 \le b < y$.
Then we have
$ a^2y^3 + 2aby^2 + (b^2 + a + 1)y + b$ is divisible by $ ay^3 + by^2 + y + 7$
Let the ratio between these two numbers be $ a + k$, then
$ a^2y^3 + 2aby^2 + (b^2 + a + 1)y + b = (a + k)(ay^3 + by^2 + y + 7)$
$ aby^2 + b^2y + y + b = aky^3 + kby^2 + ky + 7a + 7k$
If $ k = 0$, then $ aby^2 + b^2y + y + b = 7a$
Case 1:$ b = 0$
Then $ y = 7a$ and we have the solution $ (7a^2,7a)$
Case 2: $ b \ge 0$
Then either $ y = 1$ or $ 2$. If $ y = 1$, then $ b$ can't be more than $ 7$, we try out all values from $ 1$ to $ 7$ for $ b$. $ b = 4$ and $ b = 6$ works, this gives the solutions $ (11,1)$ and $ (49,1)$. If $ y = 2$ then $ b = 1$ and we have no solution.
If $ k > 0$, then since $ b < y$, we must have $ k = 1$ since if $ k > 1$ then the left side is less than the right side (we would have $ aky^3 > aby^2 + b$, $ kby^2 > b^2y$, $ ky > y$). But if $ k = 1$, then $ b = 7a + 7 + (y - b)(ay^2 + by)$. But $ y - b \ge 1$ since $ b < y$, a contradiction.
So $ k < 0$. Then we must have $ y = 1$ or the left side would be greater than the right. Since $ 0 \le b < y$, we must have $ b = 0$. Thus, $ 1 = ak + 7a + 8k$, or $ (a + 8)(k + 7) = 57$. We find $ (a,k) = (11, - 3)$ and $ (49, - 6)$ work, giving the solutions $ (11,1)$ and $ (49,1)$.
So the three solutions are $ (7a^2,7a)$, $ (11,1)$, and $ (49,1)$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
KrazyFK
367 posts
#8 • 7 Y
Y by jam10307, samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres, and 2 other users
I thought to myself this morning - "I haven't really tried any IMO problems". I decided to remedy that by solving this one.

First, suppose that $ gcd(y,7)=1$. Then the problem can be restated as follows.

$ xy^2+y+7 \, | \, x^2y+x+y$

$ \Leftrightarrow xy^2+y+7 \, | \, y(x^2y+x+y)-x(xy^2+y+7)$

$ \Leftrightarrow xy^2+y+7 \, | \, y^2-7x$

It is easy to see that since $ x,y$ are positive, then $ xy^2+y+7 > y^2-7x$. Then we must have either $ y^2=7x$ or $ y^2-7x < 0$. The first case cannot arise since $ gcd(7,y)=1$ so we must have $ y^2-7x < 0$.

Then our condition is equivalent to:

$ xy^2+y+7 | 7x - y^2$ and we must have $ 7x - y^2 \ge xy^2 + y + 7$

The second condition implies that $ y < 3$ since otherwise we have:

$ (7x - y^2) - (xy^2+x+y) \le 7x - 9 -9x -x-3 = -3x - 12 < 0$.

Hence $ y=1$ or $ y=2$.

Case 1: $ y=1$.

Our problem restates as $ x+8 | 7x-1$ and so we write:

$ \dfrac{7x-1}{x+8} = k$.

It is clear that $ k$ must be positive. We rewrite this as:

$ x=\dfrac{8k+1}{7-k}$ and since $ x$ is positive, the denominator must be positive and so $ k < 7$. Substituting the values $ k=1,2,3,4,5,6$ into this expression in turn shows that only $ k=4$ and $ k=6$ give integer values for $ x$. These are $ x=11$ and $ x=49$.

So our two solutions are $ (x,y)=(49,1), (11,1)$. Checking in the original problem reveals that they work.

Case 2: $ y=2$.

Starting in the same way as above we get $ x= \dfrac{9k+4}{7-4k}$. In a similar way to above we must have $ k < 2$, but substituting $ k=1$ does not give integer $ x$. Hence, no solutions in this case.


Now we must consider when $ gcd(7,y)=7$. This case is easy. Let $ y=7t$. Any pair $ (x,y)$ which satisfies the problem must also satisfy:

$ xy^2+y+7 | y(x^2y+x+y)-x(xy^2+y+7)$

$ xy^2+y+7 | y^2-7x$

We cannot have $ y=1$ or $ y=2$ as above since $ gcd(y,7)=7$. Thus we must have the other possibility, $ y^2=7x$.

Then we have $ 7x=y^2=49t^2$

So $ x=7t^2$

Then our solution is $ (x,y)=(7t^2,7t)$.

Checking this in the original problem:

$ \dfrac{x^2y+x+y}{xy^2+y+7}$

$ =\dfrac{343t^5+7t^2+7t}{343t^4+7t+7}$

$ =t$ which is an integer.

Hence all solutions are given by:

$ (x,y) = (11,1), (49,1), (7t^2,7t)$
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
JSGandora
4216 posts
#9 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
KrazyFK wrote:
First, suppose that $ gcd(y,7)=1$. Then the problem can be restated as follows.



$ xy^2+y+7 \, | \, x^2y+x+y$



$ \Leftrightarrow xy^2+y+7 \, | \, y(x^2y+x+y)-x(xy^2+y+7)$



$ \Leftrightarrow xy^2+y+7 \, | \, y^2-7x$
What is the importance of the statement $\gcd(y,7)=1$? Can you not perform the same manipulations even if $\gcd(y,7)=7$?

Also, my solution involved using the division algorithm to get $\frac{a^2b+a+b}{ab^2+b+7}=\frac{a}{b}+\frac{b^2-7a}{ab^3+b^2+7b}$, can this only be done if $a\geq b$? From there I get $b^2-7a=0\implies b^2=7a\implies a=7k,b=7k^2$. Why can't I use the division algorithm to get the same result if $b<a$?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
GlassBead
1583 posts
#10 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
The statement of $\gcd(7, y)=1$ is not actually used for the algebraic manipulations, but to set aside a case that forces $y^2-7x$ to be positive (in other words, it's used right after your quote).
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
JSGandora
4216 posts
#11 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
Oh, so from $ \frac{a^{2}b+a+b}{ab^{2}+b+7}=\frac{a}{b}+\frac{b^{2}-7a}{ab^{3}+b^{2}+7b} $, we must split it into cases. So I forgot the case where $b^2-7a<0$, so $7a-b^2>\frac{ab^{3}+b^{2}+7b}{b}$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
GlassBead
1583 posts
#12 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
Yep.

The $b^2-7a<0$ case leads to the two extra solutions, $(49, 1); (11, 1)$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
JSGandora
4216 posts
#13 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
Thanks, but just from the division algorithm, what is the concrete rational that we must have $ 7a-b^{2}>\frac{ab^{3}+b^{2}+7b}{b} $ (division by $b$ on the RHS)? Is it just that if we factor out the $\frac1b$ on the RHS of $ \frac{a^{2}b+a+b}{ab^{2}+b+7}=\frac{a}{b}+\frac{b^{2}-7a}{ab^{3}+b^{2}+7b} $, we just want $a+\frac{b^2-7a}{ab^2+b+7}$ to be an integer?
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
GlassBead
1583 posts
#14 • 5 Y
Y by JSGandora, samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
That's right. From your division algorithm, if we want the LHS to be an integer, then $b$ has to divide $a+\frac{b^2-7a}{ab^2+b+7}$, so it must be an integer, and so $ab^2+b+7$ must divide $7a-b^2$.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
SoyunSerInerte
6 posts
#15 • 3 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, cubres
Define $S=\left \{(a,b)\in \mathbb{Z}^{+}|\displaystyle \frac{a^2b+a+b}{ab^2+b+7}\in \mathbb{Z}^{+}\right \}$

We note that (i)

$ab^2+b+7|a^2b+a+b\Rightarrow ab^2+b+7|a(b(a^2b+a+b)-a(ab^2+b+7))$

then $ab^2+b+7|ab^2-7a^2\Rightarrow ab^2+b+7|ab^2-7a^2-(ab^2+b+7)$

now we have that

$ab^2+b+7|-7a^2-b-7\Rightarrow ab^2+b+7|7a^2+b+7$

note that $ab^2+b+7>0$ and $7a^2+b+7>0$

therefore $ab^2+b+7\leq 7a^2+b+7\Rightarrow b^2\leq 7a$

if $b^2=7a$ then $a=7t^2$ and $b=7t$ for all $t\in \mathbb{Z}^{+}$

therefore $(7t^2,7t)\in S$

now $b^2<7a$

By (i) we have that

$ab^2+b+7|b^2-7a\Rightarrow ab^2+b+7|7a-b^2$ because $b^2<7a$

now because $b^2<7a$ we have $7a-b^2>0$ and note that $ab^2+b+7>0$

therefore $ab^2+b+7\leq 7a-b^2$ that is impossible for $b\ge 3$ therefore $b<3$

We have two cases:

Case 1: $b=1$

we have $a+8|a^2+a+1\Rightarrow a+8|a^2+a+1-a(a+8)+7(a+8)$

therefore $a+8|57=1\cdot 3\cdot 19$ if we prove all the divisors we have that $(49,1)$ and $(11,1)$ are solutions.

therefore $(11,1),(49,1)\in S$

Case 2: $b=2$

we have $4a+9|2a^2+a+2\Rightarrow 4a+9|4(2(2a^2+a+2)-a(4a+9))+7(4a+9)=79$

therefore $4a+9|79$ no solutions here

Finally we have that $S=\{(11,1),(49,1),(7t^2,7t)\}$

Thanks
Z K Y
G
H
=
a