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k a June Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
4 hours ago
Congratulations to all the mathletes who competed at National MATHCOUNTS! If you missed the exciting Countdown Round, you can watch the video at this link. Are you interested in training for MATHCOUNTS or AMC 10 contests? How would you like to train for these math competitions in half the time? We have accelerated sections which meet twice per week instead of once starting on July 8th (7:30pm ET). These sections fill quickly so enroll today!

[list][*]MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
[*]MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
[*]AMC 10 Problem Series[/list]
For those interested in Olympiad level training in math, computer science, physics, and chemistry, be sure to enroll in our WOOT courses before August 19th to take advantage of early bird pricing!

Summer camps are starting this 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 a transformative 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][*]June 5th, Thursday, 7:30pm ET: Open Discussion with Ben Kornell and Andrew Sutherland, Art of Problem Solving's incoming CEO Ben Kornell and CPO Andrew Sutherland host an Ask Me Anything-style chat. Come ask your questions and get to know our incoming CEO & CPO!
[*]June 9th, Monday, 7:30pm ET, Game Jam: Operation Shuffle!, Come join us to play our second round of Operation Shuffle! If you enjoy number sense, logic, and a healthy dose of luck, this is the game for you. No specific math background is required; all are welcome.[/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
4 hours ago
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
smallest a so that S(n)-S(n+a) = 2018, where S(n)=sum of digits
parmenides51   3
N 21 minutes ago by TheBaiano
Source: Lusophon 2018 CPLP P3
For each positive integer $n$, let $S(n)$ be the sum of the digits of $n$. Determines the smallest positive integer $a$ such that there are infinite positive integers $n$ for which you have $S (n) -S (n + a) = 2018$.
3 replies
parmenides51
Sep 13, 2018
TheBaiano
21 minutes ago
Ducks can play games now apparently
MortemEtInteritum   35
N 2 hours ago by pi271828
Source: USA TST(ST) 2020 #1
Let $a$, $b$, $c$ be fixed positive integers. There are $a+b+c$ ducks sitting in a
circle, one behind the other. Each duck picks either rock, paper, or scissors, with $a$ ducks
picking rock, $b$ ducks picking paper, and $c$ ducks picking scissors.
A move consists of an operation of one of the following three forms:

[list]
[*] If a duck picking rock sits behind a duck picking scissors, they switch places.
[*] If a duck picking paper sits behind a duck picking rock, they switch places.
[*] If a duck picking scissors sits behind a duck picking paper, they switch places.
[/list]
Determine, in terms of $a$, $b$, and $c$, the maximum number of moves which could take
place, over all possible initial configurations.
35 replies
MortemEtInteritum
Nov 16, 2020
pi271828
2 hours ago
2017 IGO Advanced P3
bgn   18
N 2 hours ago by Circumcircle
Source: 4th Iranian Geometry Olympiad (Advanced) P3
Let $O$ be the circumcenter of triangle $ABC$. Line $CO$ intersects the altitude from $A$ at point $K$. Let $P,M$ be the midpoints of $AK$, $AC$ respectively. If $PO$ intersects $BC$ at $Y$, and the circumcircle of triangle $BCM$ meets $AB$ at $X$, prove that $BXOY$ is cyclic.

Proposed by Ali Daeinabi - Hamid Pardazi
18 replies
bgn
Sep 15, 2017
Circumcircle
2 hours ago
Own made functional equation
JARP091   1
N 2 hours ago by JARP091
Source: Own (Maybe?)
\[
\text{Find all functions } f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} \text{ such that:} \\
f(a^4 + a^2b^2 + b^4) = f\left((a^2 - f(ab) + b^2)(a^2 + f(ab) + b^2)\right)
\]
1 reply
JARP091
May 31, 2025
JARP091
2 hours ago
Euler line of incircle touching points /Reposted/
Eagle116   6
N 3 hours ago by pigeon123
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with incentre $I$ and circumcentre $O$. Let $D,E,F$ be the touchpoints of the incircle with $BC$, $CA$, $AB$ respectively. Prove that $OI$ is the Euler line of $\vartriangle DEF$.
6 replies
Eagle116
Apr 19, 2025
pigeon123
3 hours ago
Parallel lines on a rhombus
buratinogigle   1
N 3 hours ago by Giabach298
Source: Own, Entrance Exam for Grade 10 Admission, HSGS 2025
Given the rhombus $ABCD$ with its incircle $\omega$. Let $E$ and $F$ be the points of tangency of $\omega$ with $AB$ and $AC$ respectively. On the edges $CB$ and $CD$, take points $G$ and $H$ such that $GH$ is tangent to $\omega$ at $P$. Suppose $Q$ is the intersection point of the lines $EG$ and $FH$. Prove that two lines $AP$ and $CQ$ are parallel or coincide.
1 reply
buratinogigle
4 hours ago
Giabach298
3 hours ago
Orthocenter lies on circumcircle
whatshisbucket   90
N 3 hours ago by bjump
Source: 2017 ELMO #2
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with orthocenter $H,$ and let $M$ be the midpoint of $\overline{BC}.$ Suppose that $P$ and $Q$ are distinct points on the circle with diameter $\overline{AH},$ different from $A,$ such that $M$ lies on line $PQ.$ Prove that the orthocenter of $\triangle APQ$ lies on the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC.$

Proposed by Michael Ren
90 replies
whatshisbucket
Jun 26, 2017
bjump
3 hours ago
Polish MO Finals 2014, Problem 4
j___d   3
N 3 hours ago by ariopro1387
Source: Polish MO Finals 2014
Denote the set of positive rational numbers by $\mathbb{Q}_{+}$. Find all functions $f: \mathbb{Q}_{+}\rightarrow \mathbb{Q}_{+}$ that satisfy
$$\underbrace{f(f(f(\dots f(f}_{n}(q))\dots )))=f(nq)$$for all integers $n\ge 1$ and rational numbers $q>0$.
3 replies
j___d
Jul 27, 2016
ariopro1387
3 hours ago
S(an) greater than S(n)
ilovemath0402   1
N 3 hours ago by ilovemath0402
Source: Inspired by an old result
Find all positive integer $n$ such that $S(an)\ge S(n) \quad \forall a \in \mathbb{Z}^{+}$ ($S(n)$ is sum of digit of $n$ in base 10)
P/s: Original problem
1 reply
ilovemath0402
4 hours ago
ilovemath0402
3 hours ago
Hagge-like circles, Jerabek hyperbola, Lemoine cubic
kosmonauten3114   0
3 hours ago
Source: My own
Let $\triangle{ABC}$ be a scalene oblique triangle with circumcenter $O$ and orthocenter $H$, and $P$ ($\neq \text{X(3), X(4)}$, $\notin \odot(ABC)$) a point in the plane.
Let $\triangle{A_1B_1C_1}$, $\triangle{A_2B_2C_2}$ be the circumcevian triangles of $O$, $P$, respectively.
Let $\triangle{P_AP_BP_C}$ be the pedal triangle of $P$ with respect to $\triangle{ABC}$.
Let $A_1'$ be the reflection in $P_A$ of $A_1$. Define $B_1'$, $C_1'$ cyclically.
Let $A_2'$ be the reflection in $P_A$ of $A_2$. Define $B_2'$, $C_2'$ cyclically.
Let $O_1$, $O_2$ be the circumcenters of $\triangle{A_1'B_1'C_1'}$, $\triangle{A_2'B_2'C_2'}$, respectively.

Prove that:
1) $P$, $O_1$, $O_2$ are collinear if and only if $P$ lies on the Jerabek hyperbola of $\triangle{ABC}$.
2) $H$, $O_1$, $O_2$ are collinear if and only if $P$ lies on the Lemoine cubic (= $\text{K009}$) of $\triangle{ABC}$.
0 replies
kosmonauten3114
3 hours ago
0 replies
Incenter perpendiculars and angle congruences
math154   84
N 4 hours ago by zuat.e
Source: ELMO Shortlist 2012, G3
$ABC$ is a triangle with incenter $I$. The foot of the perpendicular from $I$ to $BC$ is $D$, and the foot of the perpendicular from $I$ to $AD$ is $P$. Prove that $\angle BPD = \angle DPC$.

Alex Zhu.
84 replies
math154
Jul 2, 2012
zuat.e
4 hours ago
Tangency of circles with "135 degree" angles
Shayan-TayefehIR   4
N 4 hours ago by Mysteriouxxx
Source: Iran Team selection test 2024 - P12
For a triangle $\triangle ABC$ with an obtuse angle $\angle A$ , let $E , F$ be feet of altitudes from $B , C$ on sides $AC , AB$ respectively. The tangents from $B , C$ to circumcircle of triangle $\triangle ABC$ intersect line $EF$ at points $K , L$ respectively and we know that $\angle CLB=135$. Point $R$ lies on segment $BK$ in such a way that $KR=KL$ and let $S$ be a point on line $BK$ such that $K$ is between $B , S$ and $\angle BLS=135$. Prove that the circle with diameter $RS$ is tangent to circumcircle of triangle $\triangle ABC$.

Proposed by Mehran Talaei
4 replies
Shayan-TayefehIR
May 19, 2024
Mysteriouxxx
4 hours ago
FE inequality from Iran
mojyla222   4
N 4 hours ago by shanelin-sigma
Source: Iran 2025 second round P5
Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}^+ \to \mathbb{R}$ such that for all $x,y,z>0$
$$
3(x^3+y^3+z^3)\geq f(x+y+z)\cdot f(xy+yz+xz) \geq (x+y+z)(xy+yz+xz).
$$
4 replies
mojyla222
Apr 19, 2025
shanelin-sigma
4 hours ago
Line bisects a segment
buratinogigle   1
N 4 hours ago by cj13609517288
Source: Own, Entrance Exam for Grade 10 Admission, HSGS 2025
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with $AB = AC$. A circle $(O)$ is tangent to sides $AC$ and $AB$, and $O$ is the midpoint of $BC$. Points $E$ and $F$ lie on sides $AC$ and $AB$, respectively, such that segment $EF$ is tangent to circle $(O)$ at point $P$. Let $H$ and $K$ be the orthocenters of triangles $OBF$ and $OCE$, respectively. Prove that line $OP$ bisects segment $HK$.
1 reply
buratinogigle
4 hours ago
cj13609517288
4 hours ago
Annoying 2^x-5 = 11^y
Valentin Vornicu   38
N May 17, 2025 by Kempu33334
Find all positive integer solutions to $2^x - 5 = 11^y$.

Comment (some ideas)
38 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Jan 14, 2006
Kempu33334
May 17, 2025
Annoying 2^x-5 = 11^y
G H J
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Valentin Vornicu
7301 posts
#1 • 5 Y
Y by narutomath96, Adventure10, Mango247, and 2 other users
Find all positive integer solutions to $2^x - 5 = 11^y$.

Comment (some ideas)
Z K Y
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Megus
1198 posts
#2 • 6 Y
Y by narutomath96, Adventure10, Mango247, and 3 other users
Make a substitution $x \to 4x$ (as Valentin said it is easy to prove - look modulo $5$). So our equation will take form $(4^x-\sqrt{5})(4^x+\sqrt{5})=11^y$. Suppose that there is a prime $p$ which divides both $4^x-\sqrt{5}$ and $4^x+\sqrt{5}$. Then $p|2 \cdot 4^x$ but also $p|11^y$ - contradiction. Hence $(4^x-\sqrt{5},4^x+\sqrt{5})=1$ and both are $y$-th powers. Because $11^y=(4+\sqrt{5})^y(4-\sqrt{5})^y$ we must have $4^x+\sqrt{5}=(4+\sqrt{5})^y$. Now using binomial expansion we get (looking at $\sqrt{5}$) $1=\sum \binom{y}{2k+1}5^k4^{y-(2k+1)}$ and from it it is easy to see that we must have $y=x=1$ (because else - right side would be larger).

Hence the only solution is $(4,1)$.

Does it make any sense ? :)
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Valentin Vornicu
7301 posts
#3 • 4 Y
Y by Jupiter123, Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Megus wrote:
Does it make any sense ? :)
No it doesn't. Let me tell you why: because $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is not an UFD. For example \[ 3\cdot 3 = 9 = (2-\sqrt 5 )(2+\sqrt 5) . \]
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Megus
1198 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Megus wrote:
Does it make any sense ? :)
No it doesn't. Let me tell you why: because $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is not an UFD. For example \[ 3\cdot 3 = 9 = (2-\sqrt 5 )(2+\sqrt 5) .  \]

Ooops :blush:
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marko avila
521 posts
#5 • 4 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 2 other users
i remember seeing these type of diophantine equations being solved using algebraic number theory , and if congruences dont work then inequalities is my biggest bet. but thats just my opinion . :lol:
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Kalimdor
163 posts
#6 • 4 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 2 other users
Could we try this:
Appearently, $(4,1)$ is a solution
Assume that there's another solution $(x_1, y_1)$ other than this one, and of course bigger than this one.(I mean, $x_1>4, y_1>1$)

$\Rightarrow 2^{x_1}-2^4 = 11^{y_1}-11$
$\Rightarrow (2^{x_1-4}-1)(2^4) = 11(11^{y_1-1}-1)$
$\Rightarrow 11|2^{x_1-4}-1$ Simply because 11 is a prime number
$\Rightarrow \text{No Solution other than} (4,1) !!!$ :P
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Kalimdor, Jan 16, 2006, 7:16 AM
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Alfred
36 posts
#7 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Unfortunately $11|2^{x_1-4}-1$ has numerous solutions, just let $x_1-4=9k+1$ ($k$ integer of course).

Disclaimer: I am tired, and I might have done something wrong. But at least the last time I checked, $11|1024-1$ etc.
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Valentin Vornicu
7301 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Of course you cannot solve this modulo 11, since there is a solution! You have to try at least modulo 121 or 32. I tried both these, and modulo 64 also. Nothing :)
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Aryabhatta
122 posts
#9 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
I guess the Unique factorization can be used, but we must use $Z[\sqrt{11}]$

As you yourself have shown, $x = 4m$ and $y = 4k+1$.

Let $2^{2m} = a$ and $11^{2k} = b$. Then we have that

$a^2 - 11b^2 = 5$
i.e

$(a-b\sqrt{11})(a+b\sqrt{11}) = 5$.

Now we can apply the fact that $Z[\sqrt{11}]$ is a UFD. Which is true, I think.
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Valentin Vornicu
7301 posts
#10 • 6 Y
Y by narutomath96, Adventure10, Hexagrammum16, Mango247, and 2 other users
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Megus wrote:
Does it make any sense ? :)
No it doesn't. Let me tell you why: because $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is not an UFD. For example \[ 3\cdot 3 = 9 = (2-\sqrt 5 )(2+\sqrt 5) .  \]
Now why didn't anyone notice the HUGE abberation I have wrote above? :)

I ment $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{ - 5} ] = \mathbb{Z}[i\sqrt 5]$ is not an UFD (indeed $9\neq (2-\sqrt 5 ) (2 +\sqrt 5 ) = 4-5 = -1$ :D).

Actually both $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ and $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{11}]$ are Euclidean rings, thus UFDs also, so Megus' solution above is correct :) :blush:
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Megus
1198 posts
#11 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Megus wrote:
Does it make any sense ? :)
No it doesn't. Let me tell you why: because $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is not an UFD. For example \[ 3\cdot 3 = 9 = (2-\sqrt 5 )(2+\sqrt 5) .  \]
Now why didn't anyone notice the HUGE abberation I have wrote above? :)

I ment $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{ - 5} ] = \mathbb{Z}[i\sqrt 5]$ is not an UFD (indeed $9\neq (2-\sqrt 5 ) (2 +\sqrt 5 ) = 4-5 = -1$ :D).

Actually both $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ and $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{11}]$ are Euclidean rings, thus UFDs also, so Megus' solution above is correct :) :blush:

Oh, good to hear that :) - but that taught me one thing - next time I'll check whether the ring I use is UFD :D
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Kalimdor
163 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I checked again and found those interesting stuffs
1. the endings of $11^y +5$ are always "$26$","$46$", "$66$", "$86$".(dunno how to prove this, maybe there's some exceptions)
2. the endings of $16^{x/4}$ are always "$16$","$36$", "$56$", "$96$".
(Appearently, x is a multiple of 4)
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Valentin Vornicu
7301 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Kalimdor wrote:
1. the endings of $11^y +5$ are always "$26$","$46$", "$66$", "$86$".(dunno how to prove this, maybe there's some exceptions)
That cannot be correct, as $11^y + 5 \equiv 16 \pmod {100}$ when $y \equiv 1 \pmod {\varphi (100) = 40}$.
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bodom
123 posts
#14 • 6 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 4 other users
you can also solve this modulo 640(you can check it out) :wink: :D but i'm too lazzy to write it down. :blush:
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scorpius119
1677 posts
#15 • 5 Y
Y by hyperbolictangent, Adventure10, rstenetbg, Hexagrammum16, Mango247
Actually, you can use mods 64 and 17.
Click to reveal hidden text
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ZetaX
7579 posts
#16 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Actually both $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ and $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{11}]$ are Euclidean rings, thus UFDs also, so Megus' solution above is correct :) :blush:
Just a small correction: $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is in fact not an UFD (e.g. $ 2 \cdot 2 = (\sqrt 5-1)(\sqrt 5+1)$). But $ \mathbb{Z}[\frac{1+\sqrt 5}2]$ is, implying the same way of solution.
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Tomaths
56 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
ZetaX wrote:
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Actually both $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ and $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{11}]$ are Euclidean rings, thus UFDs also, so Megus' solution above is correct :) :blush:
Just a small correction: $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is in fact not an UFD (e.g. $ 2 \cdot 2 = (\sqrt 5-1)(\sqrt 5+1)$). But $ \mathbb{Z}[\frac{1+\sqrt 5}2]$ is, implying the same way of solution.

is there like a list of all $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{d}]$ which is UFD?

could some one provide a link

thanks
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ZetaX
7579 posts
#18 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Instead of $ \mathbb Z [\sqrt d ]$, it's more convenient to consider the so-called integral closure. For $ d \not\equiv 1 \mod 4$ and squarefree, this is the same. But if $ d \equiv 1 \mod 4$, you consider $ \mathbb Z [ \frac{1+\sqrt d}2]$. And if $ d$ is not squarefree, you first divide $ d$ through the largest square dividing $ d$.
If you don't want the integral closure, a bit more work is required (you consider the "conductor" [correct english word¿]).

It's conjectured that there are infinitely many such $ d$. A complete list is known for $ d<0$.
But instead of looking for a list of UFD's, you may look for a list of class numbers (class number $ 1$ $ \iff$ UFD). See http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ClassNumber.html for example.
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praneeth
82 posts
#19 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
2^4*(2^(x-4)-1)=11*(11^(y-1)-1)
11^(y-1) always ends in 1. So, 11^(y-1)-1 is divisible by 10.
But LHS is not divisible by 10 except for x=4.
So, x=4, y=1 is the only possible solution.
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ali666
352 posts
#20 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
praneeth wrote:
2^4*(2^(x-4)-1)=11*(11^(y-1)-1)
11^(y-1) always ends in 1. So, 11^(y-1)-1 is divisible by 10.
But LHS is not divisible by 10 except for x=4.
So, x=4, y=1 is the only possible solution.
you are wrong,the LHS is divisible by $ 10$ for all $ x=4k$
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shubham.cash
16 posts
#21 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Though this is really old, but I just feel like posting my solution.

Replace 5 by 11-6

You get,
2 ( 2^(x-1) + 3 ) = 11(11^(y-1) + 1 )

Clearly, both factors on both sides are coprime.

Thus,
2 = 11^(y-1) + 1

Which gives y=1
Similarly x=4
Thus, (4,1) is the solution
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ZetaX
7579 posts
#22 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
$6 \cdot 35 = 10 \cdot 21$, but your conclusion is wrong.
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shubham.cash
16 posts
#23 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
ZetaX wrote:
$6 \cdot 35 = 10 \cdot 21$, but your conclusion is wrong.

I think the counterexample you put forward, isn't proving me wrong. My equation satisfies two conditions:

1. Both factors on either sides are coprime. (Satisfied here too).
2. 2 doesn't divide 11, But we notice that 6 divides 10 AND 6 divides 21.

Thus, you can't apply that here.

Am I right?
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ZetaX
7579 posts
#24 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I have some doubts about $6$ dividing $10$ or $21$ ;)
And you could use the example $2 \cdot 3 = 1 \cdot 6$, and still cannot conclude that $6=2$.
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shubham.cash
16 posts
#25 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
ZetaX wrote:
I have some doubts about $6$ dividing $10$ or $21$ ;)
And you could use the example $2 \cdot 3 = 1 \cdot 6$, and still cannot conclude that $6=2$.

Oops. Sorry. My bad. I was excited about the fact that I had found the solution in a simpler way. :)
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nnosipov
245 posts
#26 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
ZetaX wrote:
Valentin Vornicu wrote:
Actually both $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ and $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{11}]$ are Euclidean rings, thus UFDs also, so Megus' solution above is correct :) :blush:
Just a small correction: $ \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt 5]$ is in fact not an UFD (e.g. $ 2 \cdot 2 = (\sqrt 5-1)(\sqrt 5+1)$). But $ \mathbb{Z}[\frac{1+\sqrt 5}2]$ is, implying the same way of solution.

In $ \mathbb{Z}[\frac{1+\sqrt 5}2]$ there exist infinitely many of units (invertible elements of this UFD). So, we need to consider the case $4^x+\sqrt{5}=\varepsilon(4+\sqrt{5})^y$ where $\varepsilon$ is arbitrary unit. Megus' solution is incomplete. Ok?
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sonakshi
16 posts
#27 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
@nnosipov: It is hard to read what you wrote!
[mod edit: nnosipov's post has been fixed]
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dolphinday
1329 posts
#28 • 2 Y
Y by happypi31415, endless_abyss
We will claim that the only solution is $(x, y) = (4, 1)$, which is clearly true as $16 - 5 = 11$.

Clearly $x \le 3$ does not work.

We can prove that it is impossible for $x \geq 5$.

Taking$\pmod{5}$ gets us $2^x \equiv 1\pmod{5}$, so $4|x$.

Taking$\pmod{32}$, and $x \geq 5$ gets us $27 \equiv 11^y\pmod{32}$.

So, $y \equiv 5\pmod{8}$ for $x \geq 5$.

Letting $x = 4c$, and then taking$\pmod{17}:$

$(-1)^{c} - 5 \equiv 11^y\pmod{17}$. The RHS is equal to $11$ or $13\pmod{17}$.
The LHS is equal to $10$ or $15\pmod{17}$, so by contradiction, $x$ cannot $\geq 5.$

Hence, the only solution is $(x, y) = (4, 1)$.
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joshualiu315
2534 posts
#29
Y by
The only pair that works is $(x,y) = \boxed{(4,1)}$. This can be easily checked to work so we will show it is the only one.

To begin, manually check that there are no other solutions for $x \le 4$, so assume $x>4$ for the remainder of the solution. Modulo $5$ gives $4 \mid x \implies x =4z$ for $z>1$. Thus, modulo $64$ gives

\[11^y \equiv 59 \pmod{64} \implies y \equiv 13 \pmod{16}.\]
Finally, use mod $17$ to give

\[16^z - 5 \equiv 11^y \equiv 11^{13} \equiv 7 \pmod{17}\]
which clearly has no solutions.
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Shreyasharma
684 posts
#30
Y by
Take modulo $16$ first to see that we need, $$11^{y-1} \equiv 1 \pmod{16}$$for $x \geq 4$. Then we must have $y \equiv 1 \pmod{4}$. Similarly modulo $5$ gives $4 \mid x$. Substituting this becomes, $$(2^4)^{x'} - 5 = 11 \cdot (11^4)^{y'}$$Then taking modulo $17$ we find, $$(-1)^{x'} - 5 \equiv 11\cdot 4^{y'} \pmod{17}$$Then this rearranges to $$ 11 \cdot 4^{y'} - (-1)^{x'} \equiv 12 \pmod{17}$$Also taking modulo $64$ we have $$11^y \equiv 59 \pmod{64}$$which requires $y \equiv 13 \pmod{16}$. Now it is easy to see that there is no why satisfying our modulo $17$ equation so we are done. For $x \leq 4$ our only solutions is $\boxed{(4, 1)}$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Shreyasharma, Dec 25, 2023, 7:04 PM
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peppapig_
280 posts
#31
Y by
I claim that $(4,1)$ is the only solution. Clearly it works. Plugging in all $0<x<4$ also gives that no $x<4$ works.

Now, taking both sides mod $5$, note that the RHS is always $1$ mod $5$ no matter what $y$ is, meaning that the LHS must also be $1$ mod $5$. Using our knowledge of orders, we deduce that $2^x$ is $1$ mod $5$ if and only if $4\mid x$. So let $x=4a$ for some integer $a$. We now have that
\[16^a-5=11^y.\]Now for the sake of contradiction, assume that there's a solution $(x,y)$ with $x>4$. Taking the LHS mod $32$, since $a$ is a positive integer and $a>1$, we have that $32\mid 16^a$. Therefore the LHS is $27$ mod $32$, meaning that the RHS must also be $27$ mod $32$.

Listing the powers of $11$ mod $32$, we get
\[11, 25, 19, 17, 27, 9, 3, 1, \dots,\]which gives us that $y$ must be $5$ mod $8$. Now we take the equation mod $17$. Since $16$ is $-1$ mod $17$, we have that the LHS mod $17$ must be either $13$ or $11$. However, listing the powers of $11$ mod $17$, we get
\[11, 2, 5, 4, 10, 8, 3, 16, 6, 15, 12, 13, 7, 9, 14, 1, \dots,\]which gives us that whenever we have $y$ as $5$ mod $8$, the RHS must be $7$ or $10$ mod $17$, a contradiction to the $11$ or $13$. Therefore there are no solutions where $x>4$, meaning that $(4,1)$ is the only solution, finishing the problem.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by peppapig_, Jan 4, 2024, 8:34 PM
Reason: \dots
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shendrew7
799 posts
#32
Y by
The only solution where $1 \leq x \leq 5$ is $\boxed{(x,y)=(4,1)}$. Otherwise, we subtract 11 from both sides to get
\[2^x-16 = 11^y-11 \implies 16(2^{x-4}-1) = 11(11^{y-1}-1).\]
Taking modulo 5 then modulo 64, we find $x \equiv 0 \pmod 4$ and $y \equiv 13 \pmod{16}$. However, substituting these values back in, we find the equation has no solutions modulo 17 when $x \ge 6$. $\blacksquare$
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SenorSloth
37 posts
#33
Y by
We claim that the only solution is $(4,1)$, which clearly works. We can quickly check that having $x<4$ or $y=0$ fails, so for what follows, we will assume $x>4$ and $y>1$ and show that this is impossible.

We must have $2^x\equiv 1\pmod{5}$ so $4\mid x$. We also require that $2^x\equiv 5 \pmod{11}$, so we must have $x\equiv 4\pmod{10}$. Putting these together we have that $x\equiv 4\pmod{20}$.

Now we rewrite the equation as $2^x-2^4= 11^y-11$. Since the left side is $16\pmod{32}$, we require $11^y\equiv 27\pmod{32}$. After computing a few powers of $11\pmod{32}$, we can determine that we must have $y\equiv 5\pmod{8}$. Since $x\equiv 4\pmod{20}$, we know that $2^{20}-1$ divides the left side. By noting that $41$ is a factor of $1025=2^{10}+1$, we know that $41$ must divide the left side and thus also the right side, so we need $11^{y-1}=1\pmod{41}$. Using the fact that $11^2\equiv -2\pmod{41}$ to simplify our computations, we can determine that the order of $11\pmod{41}$ is $40$ and thus $y\equiv 1\pmod{40}$. However, we also require $y\equiv 5\pmod{8}$, contradiction.
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Pal702004
535 posts
#34
Y by
No solutions for $x \ge 6$

$2^x=11^y+5$

$64 \mid 11^y+5\Longrightarrow y=16n+13$

$11^{16n+13}+5 \equiv 11^{13}+5 \equiv 12 \pmod{17}$

$2^x \not \equiv 12 \pmod{17}$
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bebebe
993 posts
#35
Y by
Taking mod $5$ gives $2^x \equiv 1 \pmod{5},$ so $x \equiv 0 \pmod{4}.$ Letting $x=4a$ gives $$16^a-5=11^y.$$Taking mod $11$ gives $$5^a \equiv 5 \pmod{11},$$so $10|a-1.$ Write $a=10b+1.$ If $b=0,$ we get the solution $(4,1)$. Now assume $b \ge 1.$ Taking mod $32$ gives $$-5 \equiv 11^y \pmod{32}.$$After experimenting some values, we see $11^5 \equiv -5 \pmod{32}.$ Since $11$ has a order of $8$ mod $32$ (we can check $11^8 \equiv 1 \pmod{32}$ but $11^4 \ne 1 \pmod{32}$), let $y=5+8t.$ Taking mod $17$ gives $$(-1)^{10b+1} - 5 \equiv 11^{5+8t} \pmod{17},$$which simplifies to (note that $\phi(17)=16=2\cdot 8$) $$11 \equiv 11^{5, 13} \pmod{17}.$$Either possibility gives a contradiction, so the only solution is $\boxed{(4,1)}.$
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happypi31415
761 posts
#36 • 1 Y
Y by dolphinday
We claim that the only solution is $(4,1)$. It can be manually checked that all solutions with $x<4$ won't work, so from now we will assume that $x>4$. First, taking mod 5 gives us that $2^x \equiv 1 \pmod{5}$ so $4|x$. Therefore, we can rewrite as $16^x-5=11^y$. Now, taking $\pmod{32}$ gives us $$11^y \equiv 27 \pmod{32} \implies (8+3)^y \equiv 27 \pmod{32}.$$This means that $3^y \equiv 3 \pmod{8}$ by binomial theorem, so $y$ must be odd. Therefore, we can let $y=2a+1$.


Now, combining all of our results so far, we have $16^x-5=11 \cdot 121^a$. Taking mod 17 now gives us $$(-1)^x-5=11 \cdot 2^y \pmod{17}.$$Therefore, we have $11 \cdot 2^a = \pm 1$. When $1$ is positive, there are no solutions, but when $1$ is negative, we have $2^a \equiv 1 \pmod{17} \implies 4|a$. Therefore, now, we can write $y=8b+1$.


However, note that the order of $11 \pmod{32}$ is $8$, so we have that $$11^y \equiv 11^{8b+1} \equiv 11 \pmod{32},$$contradicting the earlier $11^y=27 \pmod{32}$, so we are done.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by happypi31415, Sep 15, 2024, 6:17 PM
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ryanyz
128 posts
#37
Y by
No way this got bumped
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Ilikeminecraft
678 posts
#38
Y by
I claim that the only answer is $(x, y) = (4, 1).$ This is clearly valid. It is obvious that any $x < 6, x \neq 4$ doesn't work. Hence, assume that $x\geq 6.$

By taking modulo $64,$ we have that $y\equiv5\pmod{16}.$ By taking modulo $17,$ we get that $2^x \equiv5 + 11^5 \equiv 15\pmod{17}.$ This implies that $x\equiv5\pmod8\implies x\equiv1\pmod2.$

Subtract $11$ from both sides to get $2^x - 16 = 11^y - 11.$ Now, take $v_{11}$ on both sides. We get that $v_{11}(2^x - 16) = 1.$ Clearly, we have that $10 \mid x - 4,$ which means that $x\equiv0\pmod2.$

Thus, a contradiction.
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Kempu33334
651 posts
#39
Y by
We try all $x$ up to $5$, finding that the only pair is $(4,1)$. Next, we take mod $32$. For $x \ge 6$, we find that the $2^x$ term drops, leaving \[11^y \equiv 59 \pmod{64}.\]We can solve this, getting that $y \equiv 13 \pmod{16}$. Next, we take mod $17$ (\textit{For my reference: FLT gives $p-1$}). This gives that $2^x - 5\equiv 11^y \pmod{17} \equiv 11^{y\pmod{16}} \pmod{17}$ by FLT. This means we only need to try $y = 13$, which doesn't give a valid solution (for $x \ge 6$). Thus, our answer is $\boxed{(4,1)}$.
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