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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.

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
k i Peer-to-Peer Programs Forum
jwelsh   157
N Dec 11, 2023 by cw357
Many of our AoPS Community members share their knowledge with their peers in a variety of ways, ranging from creating mock contests to creating real contests to writing handouts to hosting sessions as part of our partnership with schoolhouse.world.

To facilitate students in these efforts, we have created a new Peer-to-Peer Programs forum. With the creation of this forum, we are starting a new process for those of you who want to advertise your efforts. These advertisements and ensuing discussions have been cluttering up some of the forums that were meant for other purposes, so we’re gathering these topics in one place. This also allows students to find new peer-to-peer learning opportunities without having to poke around all the other forums.

To announce your program, or to invite others to work with you on it, here’s what to do:

1) Post a new topic in the Peer-to-Peer Programs forum. This will be the discussion thread for your program.

2) Post a single brief post in this thread that links the discussion thread of your program in the Peer-to-Peer Programs forum.

Please note that we’ll move or delete any future advertisement posts that are outside the Peer-to-Peer Programs forum, as well as any posts in this topic that are not brief announcements of new opportunities. In particular, this topic should not be used to discuss specific programs; those discussions should occur in topics in the Peer-to-Peer Programs forum.

Your post in this thread should have what you're sharing (class, session, tutoring, handout, math or coding game/other program) and a link to the thread in the Peer-to-Peer Programs forum, which should have more information (like where to find what you're sharing).
157 replies
jwelsh
Mar 15, 2021
cw357
Dec 11, 2023
k i C&P posting recs by mods
v_Enhance   0
Jun 12, 2020
The purpose of this post is to lay out a few suggestions about what kind of posts work well for the C&P forum. Except in a few cases these are mostly meant to be "suggestions based on historical trends" rather than firm hard rules; we may eventually replace this with an actual list of firm rules but that requires admin approval :) That said, if you post something in the "discouraged" category, you should not be totally surprised if it gets locked; they are discouraged exactly because past experience shows they tend to go badly.
-----------------------------
1. Program discussion: Allowed
If you have questions about specific camps or programs (e.g. which classes are good at X camp?), these questions fit well here. Many camps/programs have specific sub-forums too but we understand a lot of them are not active.
-----------------------------
2. Results discussion: Allowed
You can make threads about e.g. how you did on contests (including AMC), though on AMC day when there is a lot of discussion. Moderators and administrators may do a lot of thread-merging / forum-wrangling to keep things in one place.
-----------------------------
3. Reposting solutions or questions to past AMC/AIME/USAMO problems: Allowed
This forum contains a post for nearly every problem from AMC8, AMC10, AMC12, AIME, USAJMO, USAMO (and these links give you an index of all these posts). It is always permitted to post a full solution to any problem in its own thread (linked above), regardless of how old the problem is, and even if this solution is similar to one that has already been posted. We encourage this type of posting because it is helpful for the user to explain their solution in full to an audience, and for future users who want to see multiple approaches to a problem or even just the frequency distribution of common approaches. We do ask for some explanation; if you just post "the answer is (B); ez" then you are not adding anything useful.

You are also encouraged to post questions about a specific problem in the specific thread for that problem, or about previous user's solutions. It's almost always better to use the existing thread than to start a new one, to keep all the discussion in one place easily searchable for future visitors.
-----------------------------
4. Advice posts: Allowed, but read below first
You can use this forum to ask for advice about how to prepare for math competitions in general. But you should be aware that this question has been asked many many times. Before making a post, you are encouraged to look at the following:
[list]
[*] Stop looking for the right training: A generic post about advice that keeps getting stickied :)
[*] There is an enormous list of links on the Wiki of books / problems / etc for all levels.
[/list]
When you do post, we really encourage you to be as specific as possible in your question. Tell us about your background, what you've tried already, etc.

Actually, the absolute best way to get a helpful response is to take a few examples of problems that you tried to solve but couldn't, and explain what you tried on them / why you couldn't solve them. Here is a great example of a specific question.
-----------------------------
5. Publicity: use P2P forum instead
See https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c5h2489297_peertopeer_programs_forum.
Some exceptions have been allowed in the past, but these require approval from administrators. (I am not totally sure what the criteria is. I am not an administrator.)
-----------------------------
6. Mock contests: use Mock Contests forum instead
Mock contests should be posted in the dedicated forum instead:
https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c594864_aops_mock_contests
-----------------------------
7. AMC procedural questions: suggest to contact the AMC HQ instead
If you have a question like "how do I submit a change of venue form for the AIME" or "why is my name not on the qualifiers list even though I have a 300 index", you would be better off calling or emailing the AMC program to ask, they are the ones who can help you :)
-----------------------------
8. Discussion of random math problems: suggest to use MSM/HSM/HSO instead
If you are discussing a specific math problem that isn't from the AMC/AIME/USAMO, it's better to post these in Middle School Math, High School Math, High School Olympiads instead.
-----------------------------
9. Politics: suggest to use Round Table instead
There are important conversations to be had about things like gender diversity in math contests, etc., for sure. However, from experience we think that C&P is historically not a good place to have these conversations, as they go off the rails very quickly. We encourage you to use the Round Table instead, where it is much more clear that all posts need to be serious.
-----------------------------
10. MAA complaints: discouraged
We don't want to pretend that the MAA is perfect or that we agree with everything they do. However, we chose to discourage this sort of behavior because in practice most of the comments we see are not useful and some are frankly offensive.
[list] [*] If you just want to blow off steam, do it on your blog instead.
[*] When you have criticism, it should be reasoned, well-thought and constructive. What we mean by this is, for example, when the AOIME was announced, there was great outrage about potential cheating. Well, do you really think that this is something the organizers didn't think about too? Simply posting that "people will cheat and steal my USAMOO qualification, the MAA are idiots!" is not helpful as it is not bringing any new information to the table.
[*] Even if you do have reasoned, well-thought, constructive criticism, we think it is actually better to email it the MAA instead, rather than post it here. Experience shows that even polite, well-meaning suggestions posted in C&P are often derailed by less mature users who insist on complaining about everything.
[/list]
-----------------------------
11. Memes and joke posts: discouraged
It's fine to make jokes or lighthearted posts every so often. But it should be done with discretion. Ideally, jokes should be done within a longer post that has other content. For example, in my response to one user's question about olympiad combinatorics, I used a silly picture of Sogiita Gunha, but it was done within a context of a much longer post where it was meant to actually make a point.

On the other hand, there are many threads which consist largely of posts whose only content is an attached meme with the word "MAA" in it. When done in excess like this, the jokes reflect poorly on the community, so we explicitly discourage them.
-----------------------------
12. Questions that no one can answer: discouraged
Examples of this: "will MIT ask for AOIME scores?", "what will the AIME 2021 cutoffs be (asked in 2020)", etc. Basically, if you ask a question on this forum, it's better if the question is something that a user can plausibly answer :)
-----------------------------
13. Blind speculation: discouraged
Along these lines, if you do see a question that you don't have an answer to, we discourage "blindly guessing" as it leads to spreading of baseless rumors. For example, if you see some user posting "why are there fewer qualifiers than usual this year?", you should not reply "the MAA must have been worried about online cheating so they took fewer people!!". Was sich überhaupt sagen lässt, lässt sich klar sagen; und wovon man nicht reden kann, darüber muss man schweigen.
-----------------------------
14. Discussion of cheating: strongly discouraged
If you have evidence or reasonable suspicion of cheating, please report this to your Competition Manager or to the AMC HQ; these forums cannot help you.
Otherwise, please avoid public discussion of cheating. That is: no discussion of methods of cheating, no speculation about how cheating affects cutoffs, and so on --- it is not helpful to anyone, and it creates a sour atmosphere. A longer explanation is given in Seriously, please stop discussing how to cheat.
-----------------------------
15. Cutoff jokes: never allowed
Whenever the cutoffs for any major contest are released, it is very obvious when they are official. In the past, this has been achieved by the numbers being posted on the official AMC website (here) or through a post from the AMCDirector account.

You must never post fake cutoffs, even as a joke. You should also refrain from posting cutoffs that you've heard of via email, etc., because it is better to wait for the obvious official announcement. A longer explanation is given in A Treatise on Cutoff Trolling.
-----------------------------
16. Meanness: never allowed
Being mean is worse than being immature and unproductive. If another user does something which you think is inappropriate, use the Report button to bring the post to moderator attention, or if you really must reply, do so in a way that is tactful and constructive rather than inflammatory.
-----------------------------

Finally, we remind you all to sit back and enjoy the problems. :D

-----------------------------
(EDIT 2024-09-13: AoPS has asked to me to add the following item.)

Advertising paid program or service: never allowed

Per the AoPS Terms of Service (rule 5h), general advertisements are not allowed.

While we do allow advertisements of official contests (at the MAA and MATHCOUNTS level) and those run by college students with at least one successful year, any and all advertisements of a paid service or program is not allowed and will be deleted.
0 replies
v_Enhance
Jun 12, 2020
0 replies
k i Stop looking for the "right" training
v_Enhance   50
N Oct 16, 2017 by blawho12
Source: Contest advice
EDIT 2019-02-01: https://blog.evanchen.cc/2019/01/31/math-contest-platitudes-v3/ is the updated version of this.

EDIT 2021-06-09: see also https://web.evanchen.cc/faq-contest.html.

Original 2013 post
50 replies
v_Enhance
Feb 15, 2013
blawho12
Oct 16, 2017
Simple but hard
TUAN2k8   1
N 2 minutes ago by Funcshun840
Source: Own
I need synthetic solution:
Given an acute triangle $ABC$ with orthocenter $H$.Let $AD,BE$ and $CF$ be the altitudes of triangle.Let $X$ and $Y$ be reflections of points $E,F$ across the line $AD$, respectively.Let $M$ and $N$ be the midpoints of $BH$ and $CH$, respectively.Let $K=YM \cap AB$ and $L=XN \cap AC$.Prove that $K,D$ and $L$ are collinear.
1 reply
TUAN2k8
2 hours ago
Funcshun840
2 minutes ago
inequality
danilorj   1
N 42 minutes ago by arqady
Let $a, b, c$ be nonnegative real numbers such that $a + b + c = 3$. Prove that
\[
\frac{a}{4 - b} + \frac{b}{4 - c} + \frac{c}{4 - a} + \frac{1}{16}(1 - a)^2(1 - b)^2(1 - c)^2 \leq 1,
\]and determine all such triples $(a, b, c)$ where the equality holds.
1 reply
danilorj
Yesterday at 9:08 PM
arqady
42 minutes ago
Iran geometry
Dadgarnia   23
N an hour ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: Iranian TST 2018, first exam, day1, problem 3
In triangle $ABC$ let $M$ be the midpoint of $BC$. Let $\omega$ be a circle inside of $ABC$ and is tangent to $AB,AC$ at $E,F$, respectively. The tangents from $M$ to $\omega$ meet $\omega$ at $P,Q$ such that $P$ and $B$ lie on the same side of $AM$. Let $X \equiv PM \cap BF $ and $Y \equiv QM \cap CE $. If $2PM=BC$ prove that $XY$ is tangent to $\omega$.

Proposed by Iman Maghsoudi
23 replies
Dadgarnia
Apr 7, 2018
Ilikeminecraft
an hour ago
Dou Fang Geometry in Taiwan TST
Li4   9
N an hour ago by WLOGQED1729
Source: 2025 Taiwan TST Round 3 Mock P2
Let $\omega$ and $\Omega$ be the incircle and circumcircle of the acute triangle $ABC$, respectively. Draw a square $WXYZ$ so that all of its sides are tangent to $\omega$, and $X$, $Y$ are both on $BC$. Extend $AW$ and $AZ$, intersecting $\Omega$ at $P$ and $Q$, respectively. Prove that $PX$ and $QY$ intersects on $\Omega$.

Proposed by kyou46, Li4, Revolilol.
9 replies
Li4
Apr 26, 2025
WLOGQED1729
an hour ago
HCSSiM results
SurvivingInEnglish   72
N Yesterday at 8:34 PM by KevinChen_Yay
Anyone already got results for HCSSiM? Are there any point in sending additional work if I applied on March 19?
72 replies
SurvivingInEnglish
Apr 5, 2024
KevinChen_Yay
Yesterday at 8:34 PM
9 JMO<200?
DreamineYT   6
N Yesterday at 5:29 PM by lovematch13
Just wanted to ask
6 replies
DreamineYT
May 10, 2025
lovematch13
Yesterday at 5:29 PM
camp/class recommendations for incoming freshman
walterboro   8
N Tuesday at 10:45 PM by lu1376091
hi guys, i'm about to be an incoming freshman, does anyone have recommendations for classes to take next year and camps this summer? i am sure that i can aime qual but not jmo qual yet. ty
8 replies
walterboro
May 10, 2025
lu1376091
Tuesday at 10:45 PM
Cyclic Quad
worthawholebean   130
N Tuesday at 9:53 PM by Mathandski
Source: USAMO 2008 Problem 2
Let $ ABC$ be an acute, scalene triangle, and let $ M$, $ N$, and $ P$ be the midpoints of $ \overline{BC}$, $ \overline{CA}$, and $ \overline{AB}$, respectively. Let the perpendicular bisectors of $ \overline{AB}$ and $ \overline{AC}$ intersect ray $ AM$ in points $ D$ and $ E$ respectively, and let lines $ BD$ and $ CE$ intersect in point $ F$, inside of triangle $ ABC$. Prove that points $ A$, $ N$, $ F$, and $ P$ all lie on one circle.
130 replies
worthawholebean
May 1, 2008
Mathandski
Tuesday at 9:53 PM
Circle in a Parallelogram
djmathman   55
N Tuesday at 5:47 PM by Ilikeminecraft
Source: 2022 AIME I #11
Let $ABCD$ be a parallelogram with $\angle BAD < 90^{\circ}$. A circle tangent to sides $\overline{DA}$, $\overline{AB}$, and $\overline{BC}$ intersects diagonal $\overline{AC}$ at points $P$ and $Q$ with $AP < AQ$, as shown. Suppose that $AP = 3$, $PQ = 9$, and $QC = 16$. Then the area of $ABCD$ can be expressed in the form $m\sqrt n$, where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers, and $n$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $m+n$.

IMAGE
55 replies
djmathman
Feb 9, 2022
Ilikeminecraft
Tuesday at 5:47 PM
[Signups Now!] - Inaugural Academy Math Tournament
elements2015   1
N Tuesday at 5:16 PM by Ruegerbyrd
Hello!

Pace Academy, from Atlanta, Georgia, is thrilled to host our Inaugural Academy Math Tournament online through Saturday, May 31.

AOPS students are welcome to participate online, as teams or as individuals (results will be reported separately for AOPS and Georgia competitors). The difficulty of the competition ranges from early AMC to mid-late AIME, and is 2 hours long with multiple sections. The format is explained in more detail below. If you just want to sign up, here's the link:

https://forms.gle/ih548axqQ9qLz3pk7

If participating as a team, each competitor must sign up individually and coordinate team names!

Detailed information below:

Divisions & Teams
[list]
[*] Junior Varsity: Students in 10th grade or below who are enrolled in Algebra 2 or below.
[*] Varsity: All other students.
[*] Teams of up to four students compete together in the same division.
[list]
[*] (If you have two JV‑eligible and two Varsity‑eligible students, you may enter either two teams of two or one four‑student team in Varsity.)
[*] You may enter multiple teams from your school in either division.
[*] Teams need not compete at the same time. Each individual will complete the test alone, and team scores will be the sum of individual scores.
[/list]
[/list]
Competition Format
Both sections—Sprint and Challenge—will be administered consecutively in a single, individually completed 120-minute test. Students may allocate time between the sections however they wish to.

[list=1]
[*] Sprint Section
[list]
[*] 25 multiple‑choice questions (five choices each)
[*] recommended 2 minutes per question
[*] 6 points per correct answer; no penalty for guessing
[/list]

[*] Challenge Section
[list]
[*] 18 open‑ended questions
[*] answers are integers between 1 and 10,000
[*] recommended 3 or 4 minutes per question
[*] 8 points each
[/list]
[/list]
You may use blank scratch/graph paper, rulers, compasses, protractors, and erasers. No calculators are allowed on this examination.

Awards & Scoring
[list]
[*] There are no cash prizes.
[*] Team Awards: Based on the sum of individual scores (four‑student teams have the advantage). Top 8 teams in each division will be recognized.
[*] Individual Awards: Top 8 individuals in each division, determined by combined Sprint + Challenge scores, will receive recognition.
[/list]
How to Sign Up
Please have EACH STUDENT INDIVIDUALLY reserve a 120-minute window for your team's online test in THIS GOOGLE FORM:
https://forms.gle/ih548axqQ9qLz3pk7
EACH STUDENT MUST REPLY INDIVIDUALLY TO THE GOOGLE FORM.
You may select any slot from now through May 31, weekdays or weekends. You will receive an email with the questions and a form for answers at the time you receive the competition. There will be a 15-minute grace period for entering answers after the competition.
1 reply
elements2015
May 12, 2025
Ruegerbyrd
Tuesday at 5:16 PM
Circle Incident
MSTang   39
N Tuesday at 4:56 PM by Ilikeminecraft
Source: 2016 AIME I #15
Circles $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ intersect at points $X$ and $Y$. Line $\ell$ is tangent to $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ at $A$ and $B$, respectively, with line $AB$ closer to point $X$ than to $Y$. Circle $\omega$ passes through $A$ and $B$ intersecting $\omega_1$ again at $D \neq A$ and intersecting $\omega_2$ again at $C \neq B$. The three points $C$, $Y$, $D$ are collinear, $XC = 67$, $XY = 47$, and $XD = 37$. Find $AB^2$.
39 replies
MSTang
Mar 4, 2016
Ilikeminecraft
Tuesday at 4:56 PM
Lots of Cyclic Quads
Vfire   104
N May 13, 2025 by Ilikeminecraft
Source: 2018 USAMO #5
In convex cyclic quadrilateral $ABCD$, we know that lines $AC$ and $BD$ intersect at $E$, lines $AB$ and $CD$ intersect at $F$, and lines $BC$ and $DA$ intersect at $G$. Suppose that the circumcircle of $\triangle ABE$ intersects line $CB$ at $B$ and $P$, and the circumcircle of $\triangle ADE$ intersects line $CD$ at $D$ and $Q$, where $C,B,P,G$ and $C,Q,D,F$ are collinear in that order. Prove that if lines $FP$ and $GQ$ intersect at $M$, then $\angle MAC = 90^\circ$.

Proposed by Kada Williams
104 replies
Vfire
Apr 19, 2018
Ilikeminecraft
May 13, 2025
Evan's mean blackboard game
hwl0304   72
N May 13, 2025 by HamstPan38825
Source: 2019 USAMO Problem 5, 2019 USAJMO Problem 6
Two rational numbers \(\tfrac{m}{n}\) and \(\tfrac{n}{m}\) are written on a blackboard, where \(m\) and \(n\) are relatively prime positive integers. At any point, Evan may pick two of the numbers \(x\) and \(y\) written on the board and write either their arithmetic mean \(\tfrac{x+y}{2}\) or their harmonic mean \(\tfrac{2xy}{x+y}\) on the board as well. Find all pairs \((m,n)\) such that Evan can write 1 on the board in finitely many steps.

Proposed by Yannick Yao
72 replies
hwl0304
Apr 18, 2019
HamstPan38825
May 13, 2025
Points Collinear iff Sum is Constant
djmathman   69
N May 13, 2025 by blueprimes
Source: USAMO 2014, Problem 3
Prove that there exists an infinite set of points \[ \dots, \; P_{-3}, \; P_{-2},\; P_{-1},\; P_0,\; P_1,\; P_2,\; P_3,\; \dots \] in the plane with the following property: For any three distinct integers $a,b,$ and $c$, points $P_a$, $P_b$, and $P_c$ are collinear if and only if $a+b+c=2014$.
69 replies
djmathman
Apr 29, 2014
blueprimes
May 13, 2025
BMO 2021 problem 3
VicKmath7   20
N Apr 27, 2025 by Grasshopper-
Source: Balkan MO 2021 P3
Let $a, b$ and $c$ be positive integers satisfying the equation $(a, b) + [a, b]=2021^c$. If $|a-b|$ is a prime number, prove that the number $(a+b)^2+4$ is composite.

Proposed by Serbia
20 replies
VicKmath7
Sep 8, 2021
Grasshopper-
Apr 27, 2025
BMO 2021 problem 3
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: Balkan MO 2021 P3
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
VicKmath7
1390 posts
#1 • 2 Y
Y by jhu08, PineApplePen
Let $a, b$ and $c$ be positive integers satisfying the equation $(a, b) + [a, b]=2021^c$. If $|a-b|$ is a prime number, prove that the number $(a+b)^2+4$ is composite.

Proposed by Serbia
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by VicKmath7, Jan 1, 2023, 2:17 PM
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laikhanhhoang_3011
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#2 • 1 Y
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look like it is not difficult but small cases confused us
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InvertedDiabloNemesisXD
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#3 • 3 Y
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Case Bash solution
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BarisKoyuncu
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#4 • 2 Y
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WLOG $a-b=p$ where $p$ is a prime number.
i) $p|b$
Let $b=pd$. Then, $(a,b)=(pd+p,pd)=p(d+1,d)=p$ and $[a,b]=[pd+p,pd]=p[d+1,d]=pd(d+1)$. Hence, $p+pd(d+1)=2021^c\Rightarrow p|2021^c\Rightarrow p|2021\Rightarrow p=43,47$.
i.a) $p=43$
$2021^c=p(d^2+d+1)=43(d^2+d+1)\Rightarrow d^2+d+(1-43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c)=0$. Hence, the number $\triangle_d 1-4(1-43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c)=4\cdot 43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c-3$ must a perfect square. But, $4\cdot 43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c-3\equiv -3\pmod{47}$ and $47\equiv 2\pmod{3}$. So, this number cannot be a perfect square. Contradiction.
i.b) $p=47$
$2021^c=p(d^2+d+1)=47(d^2+d+1)\Rightarrow d^2+d+(1-43^c\cdot 47^{c-1})=0$. Hence, the number $\triangle_d 1-4(1-43^c\cdot 47{c-1}c)=4\cdot 43^c\cdot 47^{c-1}-3$ must a perfect square. If $c\ge 2$, again $4\cdot 43^c\cdot 47^{c-1}-3\equiv -3\pmod{47}$. Contradiction. Thus, $c=1$. Then, $\triangle_d=4\cdot 43^c\cdot 47^{c-1}-3=4\cdot 43-3=169=13^2$. Hence, $d=\dfrac{-1\pm\sqrt{\triangle_d}}{2}=\dfrac{-1\pm 13}{2}=\{-7,6\}$. Since $d>0$, we find that $d=6$. Then, $b=pd=47\cdot 6=282$ and $a=b+p=282+47=329\Rightarrow (a+b)^2+4=611^2+4\equiv 0\pmod{5}$. Clearly, $611^2+4>5$, so it is composite.
ii) $p\not |b$
Then, $(a,b)=(b+p,b)=(b,p)=1$ and $[a,b]=[b+p,b]=(b+p)b$. Hence, $1+(b+p)b=2021^c\Rightarrow b^2+pb+(1-2021^c)=0$. Hence, the number $\triangle_d=p^2-4(1-2021^c)=p^2+4\cdot 2021^c-4$ must be a perfect square. Let $p^2+4\cdot 2021^c-4=t^2$ where $t\in \mathbb{Z^+}$. Then, $b=\dfrac{-p\pm \sqrt{t^2}}{2}$ and since $b>0$, we find that $b=\dfrac{t-p}{2}$. Then, $(a+b)^2+4=\left(\dfrac{t-p}{2}+\dfrac{t+p}{2}\right)^2+4=t^2+4$. Suppose that $t^2+4=q$ where $q$ is a prime number. Hence, $p^2+4\cdot 2021^c=t^2+4=q$.
ii.a) $c$ is even.
Let $c=2c_1$. Then, $p^2+(2\cdot 2021^{c_1})^2=q=t^2+2^2$. But, each prime number can be written in $1$ or $0$ different way as the sum of $2$ perfect squares. Thus, $\{p,2\cdot 2021^{c_1}\}=\{t,2\}$. Clearly, $2\cdot 2021^{c_1}>2$ so $p=2$. Then $q=p^2+4\cdot 2021^c\equiv 0\mod{2}\Rightarrow q=2$ but $p^2+4\cdot 2021^c>$. Contradiction.
ii.b) $c$ is odd.
If $p\neq 3$, then $t^2+4=p^2+4\cdot 2021^c\equiv (-1)^c\equiv -1\pmod{3}\Rightarrow t^2\equiv 2\pmod{3}$. Contradiction. So $p=3$. Then, $t^2+4=9+4\cdot 2021^c\equiv 9\pmod{47}\Rightarrow t^2\equiv 5\pmod{47}$. Contradiction.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by BarisKoyuncu, Sep 8, 2021, 5:34 PM
Reason: .
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grupyorum
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#6 • 1 Y
Y by jhu08
BarisKoyuncu wrote:
WLOG $a-b=p$ where $p$ is a prime number.
i) $p|b$
Let $b=pd$. Then, $(a,b)=(pd+p,pd)=p(d+1,d)=p$ and $[a,b]=[pd+p,pd]=p[d+1,d]=pd(d+1)$. Hence, $p+pd(d+1)=2021^c\Rightarrow p|2021^c\Rightarrow p|2021\Rightarrow p=43,47$.
i.a) $p=43$
$2021^c=p(d^2+d+1)=43(d^2+d+1)\Rightarrow d^2+d+(1-43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c)=0$. Hence, the number $\triangle_d 1-4(1-43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c)=4\cdot 43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c-3$ must a perfect square. But, $4\cdot 43^{c-1}\cdot 47^c-3\equiv -3\pmod{47}$ and $47\equiv 2\pmod{3}$. So, this number cannot be a perfect square. Contradiction.
i.b) $p=47$
$2021^c=p(d^2+d+1)=47(d^2+d+1)\Rightarrow d^2+d+(1-43^c\cdot 47^{c-1})=0$. Hence, the number $\triangle_d 1-4(1-43^c\cdot 47{c-1}c)=4\cdot 43^c\cdot 47^{c-1}-3$ must a perfect square. If $c\ge 2$, again $4\cdot 43^c\cdot 47^{c-1}-3\equiv -3\pmod{47}$. Contradiction. Thus, $c=1$. Then, $\triangle_d=4\cdot 43^c\cdot 47^{c-1}-3=4\cdot 43-3=169=13^2$. Hence, $d=\dfrac{-1\pm\sqrt{\triangle_d}}{2}=\dfrac{-1\pm 13}{2}=\{-7,6\}$. Since $d>0$, we find that $d=6$. Then, $b=pd=47\cdot 6=282$ and $a=b+p=282+47=329\Rightarrow (a+b)^2+4=611^2+4\equiv 0\pmod{5}$. Clearly, $611^2+4>5$, so it is composite.
ii) $p\not |b$
Then, $(a,b)=(b+p,b)=(b,p)=1$ and $[a,b]=[b+p,b]=(b+p)b$. Hence, $1+(b+p)b=2021^c\Rightarrow b^2+pb+(1-2021^c)=0$. Hence, the number $\triangle_d=p^2-4(1-2021^c)=p^2+4\cdot 2021^c-4$ must be a perfect square. Let $p^2+4\cdot 2021^c-4=t^2$ where $t\in \mathbb{Z^+}$. Then, $b=\dfrac{-p\pm \sqrt{t^2}}{2}$ and since $b>0$, we find that $b=\dfrac{t-p}{2}$. Then, $(a+b)^2+4=\left(\dfrac{t-p}{2}+\dfrac{t+p}{2}\right)^2+4=t^2+4$. Suppose that $t^2+4=q$ where $q$ is a prime number. Hence, $p^2+4\cdot 2021^c=t^2+4=q$.
ii.a) $c$ is even.
Let $c=2c_1$. Then, $p^2+(2\cdot 2021^{c_1})^2=q=t^2+2^2$. But, each prime number can be written in $1$ or $0$ different way as the sum of $2$ perfect squares. Thus, $\{p,2\cdot 2021^{c_1}\}=\{t,2\}$. Clearly, $2\cdot 2021^{c_1}>2$ so $p=2$. Then $q=p^2+4\cdot 2021^c\equiv 0\mod{2}\Rightarrow q=2$ but $p^2+4\cdot 2021^c>$. Contradiction.
ii.b) $c$ is odd.
If $p\neq 3$, then $t^2+4=p^2+4\cdot 2021^c\equiv (-1)^c\equiv -1\pmod{3}\Rightarrow t^2\equiv 2\pmod{3}$. Contradiction. So $p=3$. Then, $t^2+4=9+4\cdot 2021^c\equiv 9\pmod{47}\Rightarrow t^2\equiv 5\pmod{47}$. Contradiction.

You can excise a fair amount of work here. Let $d={\rm gcd}(a,b)$ with $a=da_1$ and $b=db_1$, $(a_1,b_1)=1$. Assume w.l.o.g. $a_1>b_1$ (clearly $a\ne b$). We then have $d(a_1-b_1)=p$ for a prime $p$, thus $d\in\{1,p\}$. Now, if $d=p$ then we obtain that
\[
d\left(b_1^2+b_1+1\right)=43^c\cdot 47^c.
\]If $47\mid b_1^2+b_1+1$, then $47\mid (2b_1+1)^2+3$, but $(-3/47)=-1$ as $47\equiv -1\pmod{6}$. Hence, in this case, $47^c\mid d = p$, thus $c=1$ and $d=47$ is the only possibility. With this we find $b_1^2+b_1+1=43$, for which $(a_1,b_1)=(7,6)$ is obtained; and for this solution, $(a+b)^2+4>5$ is divisible by $5$, hence is the conclusion.

This brings us to the case $(a,b)=1$, $a-b=p$, which is handled exactly as demonstrated by Baris. (Let me also add that one way to prove the also contradiction, $t^2\equiv 5\pmod{47}$, in the very last step is to use the quadratic reciprocity: $(5/47)(47/5)=1$ whereas $(57/5)=(2/5)=-1$.)
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by grupyorum, Sep 8, 2021, 5:48 PM
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steppewolf
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#7 • 1 Y
Y by jhu08
Proposed by Serbia
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VicKmath7
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#8 • 1 Y
Y by mijail
Woah this was very hard and nice NT, involving QRs. This is similar to the above soln.
Case 1. $gcd(a,b)$ is not $1$. Then $a=p(x+1)$ and $b=px$. Thus $p(x^2+x+1)=2021^c$. Hence $p=43$ or $p=47$.
Case 1.1 $p=47$. The number we want to be composite is $A=4.47^{c+1}.43^c-3.47^2+4$. Note that if $c$ is even, then $A$ is divisible by $3$, done. If $c$ is odd, then $A$ is $(-1)2^{c+1}.(-2)^c+2=2(2^{2c}+1) (mod 5)$ which is divisible by $5$ for odd $c$.
Case 1.2 $p=43$. We prove that this is actually impossible. Note that $(2x+1)^2=4.47^c.43^{c-1}+3$, so $-3$ is a QR modulo $47$, but that's impossible due to quadratic reciprocity.
Case 2. $gcd(a,b)=1$. Thus $1+ab=2021^c$ and $a-b=p$ and we want $A=p^2+4.2021^c$ to be composite.
Case 2.1 $p>3$. Then $c$ can't be odd, otherwise $A$ is divisible by $3$. So suppose $c$ is even. We have that $b^2+bp+1-2021^c=0$ and it's discriminant is $p^2+4.2021^c-4=d^2$. Thus the prime $A$ is representable as sum of two squares in two ways. But that's impossible (view this as a lemma: if $p=a^2+b^2=c^2+d^2$, then $p^2=(ac-bd)^2+(ad+bc)^2=(ad-bc)^2+(ac+bd)^2$ but note that $a^2c^2=b^2d^2 (mod p)$, and now we easily see contradiction).
Case 2.2 $p=3$ ($2$ is impossible, obviously). We have similarly that $b^2+3b+1-2021^c=0$ so it's discriminant is $4.2021^c+5=d^2$, but now finish again with quadratic reciprocity modulo $47$.
So we're done.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by VicKmath7, Sep 9, 2021, 6:57 AM
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P2nisic
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VicKmath7 wrote:
Let $a, b$ and $c$ be positive integers satisfying the equation $(a, b) + [a, b]=2021^c$. If $|a-b|$ is a prime number, prove that the number $(a+b)^2+4$ is composite.

Let $d=(a,b)$ and $a=dx$,$b=dy$ and suppose that $d$ different from $1$ then:
As $d|x-y|=prime$ we have $x=y+1$ and $d=prime$.
Now at the first equation we have:
$d(y^2+y+1)=2021^c$
If $c>=2$ then $47|y^2+y+1$ by the well known lemma:Let $q=prime=2(mod3)$ then if $q|c^2+cd+d^2$ we have $q|c$ and $q|d$.So $47|1$ contradiction.
If $c=1$ we have $d=47$ and $y=6$ which gives$47^2(6+7)^2+4=0(mod5)$

So $d=1$ and we have:$ab+1=2021^c$ (1)and $|a-b|=p$.(2)
We consider two cases:

If $c=1(mod2)$ then (1) $mod3$ gives $a=b(mod3)$ using condition (2) we have $a=b+3$ so equation (1) became:
$b^2+3b+1=2021^c$ or $(2b+3)^2-5=4*2021^c$
But $(5/43)=(43/5)=(3/5)=-1$ so no solution.

If $c=0(mod2)$ set $c=2d$ then we have:
$ab+1=2021^{2d}$ or $4ab+4=2021^{2d}*4$
or$(a+b)^2-(a-b)^2+4=2021^{2d}*4$
or$(a+b)^2+4=2021^{2d}*4+p^2$.

Suppose that $(a+b)^2+4=prime$ then it is well known that every prime in the form $4k+1$ can be written as a sum of two square in a unique way.
This mean that $p=2$ but it is obvious that $p=odd$ so contradiction.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by P2nisic, Sep 8, 2021, 8:53 PM
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sbealing
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#10
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Let $p=|a-b|$.

Case 1: $p \vert a,b$ We have:
$$2021^c=(a,b)+[a,b]=p+\frac{ab}{p} \Rightarrow ab=p \left(2021^{c}-p\right) $$$$\Longrightarrow (a+b)^2=(a-b)^2+4ab=p^2+4p\left(2021^{c}-p\right)=p \left(4 \times 2021^{c}-3p\right)$$As $p \vert a+b$ we have $p \vert 4 \times 2021^{c}$ and hence $p \in \{2,43,47\}$. In the case $p=2$, the quantity in question is even and $>2$ so composite. For $p=47$ observe:
$$(a+b)^2+4 \equiv 2 \left(4-1\right)+4 \equiv 0 \pmod{5}$$and as $(a+b)^2+4>5$ it follows it is composite. Finally, for $p=43$ observe that $2021^{c} \in \{7,11\} \pmod{19}$ thus:
$$(a+b)^2=43 \left(4 \times 2021^{c}-3 \times 43\right) \in \{8,12\} \pmod{19}$$and by a direct check neither of these are quadratic residues modulo $19$ thus this case cannot occur.

Case 2: $p \nmid a,b$ We have:
$$2021^c=(a,b)+[a,b]=1+ab \Rightarrow (a+b)^2+4=(a-b)^2+4\left(1+ab\right)=p^2+4 \times 2021^{c}$$Firstly observe if $p=2$ then the quantity is even and $>2$ so composite. Now consider $p>2$.

Case 2.1: $c$ is evenIn this case, as $p>2$ and $2 \times 2021^{c/2}>2$, it follows $(a+b)^2+2^2$ is composite else we would have a prime written as a sum of two squares in two distinct ways.

Case 2.2: $p=3$ In this case observe:
$$(a+b)^2=4 \times 2021^{c}+3^2-4 \equiv 5 \pmod{43}$$but by LQR as $\mathrm{LHS}$ is a perfect square we have:
$$1=\left(\frac{5}{43}\right)=\left(\frac{43}{5}\right)=\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)=-1$$which is a contradiction.

Case 2.3: $p>3$, $c$ odd Here we have:
$$(a+b)^2+4 \equiv 4 \times (-1)^{c}+1 \equiv 0 \pmod{3}$$so $\mathrm{LHS}$ is divisible by $3$ and $>3$ therefore composite.
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square_root_of_3
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#11 • 1 Y
Y by MathsLion
I just wonder how the person who came up with this problem thought of this. I wonder at what point did they say 'let's put a-b to be a prime'. Did they first come up with the solution for the case where $(a,b)=1$ and $a-b$ is prime and then just added the particular case to make it longer? Or did they try solving the general $(a,b)+[a,b]=2021^c$ and then managed to just do the first two small cases?
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oVlad
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#12 • 3 Y
Y by Pitagar, steppewolf, Mango247
Why so bashy? :noo: Anyways, my only goal while solving this was to shorten the solution as much as possible. I think I succeeded:

Let $b=a+p.$ We then have two cases:

Case One: Assume that $p$ divides $a.$ In other words, let $a=pk$ and $b=p(k+1).$ Our condition is then equivalent to \[\Phi_3(k)=k^2+k+1=\frac{2021^c}{p}\]It's well known that for any prime number $q$ and positive integer $n,$ only prime numbers congruent to $0$ or 1 modulo $q$ can divide $\Phi_q(n).$

Thus, since $47\equiv 2\bmod 3$ then $47\nmid \Phi_3(k)$ so $47\nmid 2021^c/p.$ Therefore, $c=1$ and $p=47.$ After computing, this yields $k=6.$ Just bash $(a+b)^2+4.$

Case Two: Assume that $p$ does not divide $a.$ Then, our condition rewrites as \[1+a(a+p)=2021^c\iff (2a+p)^2+4=4\cdot 2021^c+p^2.\]
Assume that $p>3.$ Clearly, $3$ cannot divide $(2a+p)^2+4$ so $4\cdot 2021^c+p^2\equiv (-1)^c+1\not\equiv 0\bmod 3$ which implies that $c$ is even.

Hence, $(a+b)^2+4=(2a+p)^2+4$ can be written as the sum of $2$ squares in two ways, so it must be composite.

If $p=3$ then $(2a+p)^2\equiv 5\bmod{43}$ which is a contradiction.
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IndoMathXdZ
694 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by steppewolf, mijail
Balkan MO 2021/3 wrote:
Let $a, b$ and $c$ be positive integers satisfying the equation $(a, b) + [a, b]=2021^c$. If $|a-b|$ is a prime number, prove that the number $(a+b)^2+4$ is composite.
WLOG $a > b$. Since $(a,b) \mid |a - b|$, which is a prime number, then there are two possible cases.
Case 01. $(a,b) = p$ for some prime number $p$.
Since $|a - b| = (a,b) = p$. This implies $(a,b) = (px + p, px)$ for some $x \in \mathbb{N}$. Therefore, we get
\[ p(x^2 + x + 1) = 2021^c \]First, we claim that $c = 1$. Otherwise, $x^2 + x + 1 \equiv 0 \pmod{47}$. However, $-3$ is not a QR modulo $47$. Furthermore, this implies that $p = 47$, which gives us $x^2 + x + 1 = 43$, and this gives $x = 6$ as a solution. Just check that
\[ (a + b)^2 + 4 = p^2(2x + 1)^2 + 4 = 47^2 \cdot 13^2 + 4 \equiv 0 \pmod{5} \]and $a + b > 1$, which implies $(a + b)^2 + 4$ is composite.
Case 02. $(a,b) = 1$.
We then have
\[ (a + b)^2 + 4 = (a - b)^2 + 4(ab + 1) = (a - b)^2 + 4 \cdot 2021^c = p^2 + 4 \cdot 2021^c \]We first claim that $|a - b| \not= 3$. Otherwise, then $b^2 + 3b + 1 = 2021^c \equiv 0 \pmod{47}$, and one can check that $5$ is not a QR modulo $47$. We claim that $c$ must be even. Indeed, if $c$ is odd, then $p^2 + 4 \cdot 2021^c \equiv 0 \pmod{3}$.
Now, note that $(a + b)^2 + 2^2$ can be represented as $p^2 + (2 \cdot 2021^{c/2})^2$ as well, and we could quickly check that $p \not= 2$, or otherwise it's composite because it's divisible by $4$. We'll finish off by the following claim and conclude that $(a + b)^2 + 4$ must in fact be composite.

Claim. Every prime $1$ modulo $4$ has a unique representation as a sum of squares.
Proof. Suppose otherwise, that $p = a^2 + b^2 = c^2 + d^2$ for some $a,b,c,d \in \mathbb{Z}$. Then,
\[ (a + bi)(a - bi) = (c + di)(c - di) \]Note that $\mathbb{Z}[i]$ is a UFD, which implies that $a + bi$ and $c + di$ can't both be primes. WLOG $a + bi$ is not a prime. Then, there exists a nontrivial factorization $a + bi = (x + yi)(z + wi)$. Therefore,
\[ p = N(a + bi) = N(x + yi)N(z + wi) = (x^2 + y^2)(z^2 + w^2) \]contradicting the fact that $p$ is a prime.
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lazizbek42
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#14
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By Thue lemma c odd
mod 3 c Evan
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by lazizbek42, Dec 4, 2021, 5:14 AM
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CT17
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WLOG let $a < b$.

Case 1: $(a,b) = 43$. Let $a = 43a'$ and $b = 43(a'+1)$. Then we have

$$43 + 43a'(a'+1) = 2021^c\implies a'^2 + a' + 1 = \frac{2021^c}{43}$$
a contradiction by mod $47$.

Case 2: $(a,b) = 47$. Let $a = 47a'$ and $b = 47(a' + 1)$. Then we have

$$47 + 47a'(a'+1) = 2021^c\implies a'^2 + a' + 1 = \frac{2021^c}{47}$$
a contradiction by mod $47$ unless $c = 1$. When $c = 1$, we have $a' = 6$ so that

$$(a+b)^2 + 4 = (13\cdot 47)^2 + 4\equiv 0\pmod{5}$$
is composite, as desired.

Case 3: $(a,b) = 1$. Let $p = b - a$ so that $a^2 + ap + 1 = 2021^c$. Note that $p\neq 2$, as otherwise $a$ and $b$ would both be even. We have $2$ subcases.

Subcase 3.1: $c$ is odd. Then $2021^c - 1\equiv 1\pmod{3}$, so $a\equiv b\pmod{3}$. Hence $p = 3$, and $a^2 + 3a + 1\equiv 0\pmod{43}$. In particular, the discriminant $5$ of this quadratic must be a QR mod $43$, which we can verify is false with quadratic reciprocity.

Subcase 3.2: $c$ is even. Then we have

$$(a+b)^2 + 4 = (2a + p)^2 + 4 = 4a^2 + 4ap + p^2 + 4 = 4\cdot 2021^c + p^2 = \left(2\cdot 2021^{\frac{c}{2}}\right)^2 + p^2$$
By a well-known theorem, since $(a+b)^2 + 4$ is expressible as the sum of $2$ squares in $2$ different ways it is composite, as desired.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by CT17, Apr 1, 2022, 2:39 AM
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sttsmet
139 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by Mango247
Can anybody tell me the NAME of this well known theorem with the sum of two squares??
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alinazarboland
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#17
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I though it's gonna require a lot of case works but it didn't. Assume the statement doesn't hold:
If $gcd(a,b) \geq 2$ , then it would be $p \in \{43,47\}$. let $a=px , b=p(x+1)$ so $p(x^2+x+1)=2021^c$. But it's well-known that the polynomial $x^2+x+1$has no prime divisor in the form $3k+2$ , but $47$ is such number. So $p=47$ and $c=1$ and we should've:$x^2+x+1=43$ which means $x=6$ and $a=282$,$b=329$ so we can just compute the desired expression and it wouldn't be a prime number.

Now let $gcd(a,b)=1$ and $ab=2021^c -1$ , which means : $(a+b)^2 + 4 = p^2 + 4.2021^c$ where $p=|a-b|$. if $c$ was odd , we're done since it's divisible by $3$. if it was odd , it's well-known that every prime number in the form $4k+1$ can be UNIQUELY written as $x^2+y^2$ for positive integers $x,y$. So $\{2.2021^{c/2},p\}=\{a+b,2\}$ but by the definition of $p$ , we have $p+1 \le a+b$ so $p=2 , a+b=2.2021^{c/2}$ . this is impossible since one of $a-b , a+b$ for $a=b (mod 2)$ should be divisible by $4$ which is a contradiction and we're done.
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alinazarboland
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#18 • 1 Y
Y by sttsmet
sttsmet wrote:
Can anybody tell me the NAME of this well known theorem with the sum of two squares??

I don't know the name but in post #8 , VicKmath7 explained it. let $p=a^2+b^2=c^2+d^2$ so
$$p^2=(ac-bd)^2+(ad+bc)^2=(ad-bc)^2+(ac+bd)^2 *$$and $a^2c^2=b^2d^2 (mod p)$ follows from the fact that if $p=a^2+b^2$ , $\frac{a}{b}$ (clearly $a,b$ are not zero modulo $p$) is the solution of $x^2 = -1 (modp)$ in Z_p so $\frac{a^2}{b^2}=\frac{d^2}{c^2}$. Which contradicts $*$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by alinazarboland, Aug 22, 2022, 5:02 PM
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ATGY
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brah interesting problem

WLOG, say $a > b$. Let $\gcd(a, b) = d$, $a = dx, b = dy, (x, y) = 1, \text{lcm}(a, b) = dxy$. Notice that $d \mid dxy \implies d \mid 2021^c$. Say:
$$p = (a - b) = dx - dy = d(x - y) \implies d = 1 \; \text{or} \; (x - y) = 1$$Case 1: $d = 1$. This means that $(x, y) = (a, b)$, so we have $1 + ab = 2021^c$. If $c$ is even:
$$(a + b)^2 + 4 = (a - b)^2 + 4ab + 4 = p^2 + 4(ab + 1) = p^2 + 4\cdot2021^c$$If $(a + b)^2 + 4$ was prime, it only can be uniquely represented as a sum of squares, which means $(a + b)^2 + 4 = p^2 + 4\cdot2021^c \implies p = 2$, however, that means it's even, contradiction.
If $c$ was odd, we have $2021^c \equiv 2\mod3 \implies ab \equiv 1 \mod3 \implies a \equiv b\mod3$. However, this means $a - b = 3$ since it's prime, so $a = b + 3 \implies (a + b)^2 = (2b + 3)^2 = 4b(b + 3) + 9 = 4\cdot2021^c + 5 = 4\cdot43^c\cdot47^c + 5$. This means $5$ is a quadratic residue mod $47$.
$$\left(\frac{5}{47}\right) = \left(\frac{47}{5}\right) = \left(\frac{2}{5}\right) = -1$$Contradiction.

Case 2: If $d \neq 1$, we have $x - y = 1 \implies x = y + 1$. Furthermore, $d$ is prime and $d \mid 2021^c \implies d = 43, 47$.
Subcase 2.1: $d = 43$. We have:
$$d + dxy = 43(xy + 1) = 2021^c \implies xy + 1 = 43^{c - 1}\cdot47^c$$We also have $(x + y)^2 = (2y + 1)^2 = 4y^2 + 4y + 1 = 4y(y + 1) + 1 = 4\cdot43^{c - 1}\cdot47^c - 3$, which means $-3$ is a quadratic residue mod 47. We have:
$$\left(\frac{-3}{47}\right) = \left(\frac{-1}{47}\right)\cdot\left(\frac{3}{47}\right) = \left(\frac{47}{3}\right) = \left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = -1$$Contradiction.
Subcase 2.2: $d = 47$. We have:
$$d + dxy = 47(xy + 1) = 2021^c \implies xy + 1 = 43^c\cdot47^{c - 1}$$Now, $(x + y)^2 = (2y + 1)^2 = 4y(y + 1) + 1 = 4\cdot43^c\cdot47^{c - 1} - 3$. For $c > 1$, we are done by the same step as earlier, however if $c = 1$, we have $(2y + 1)^2 = 169 \implies y = 6, x = 7, a = 47\cdot7, b = 47\cdot6, 5 \mid (a + b)^2 + 4$. Hence, we are done.
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MathLuis
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First WLOG $a>b$ ($a=b$ obviously cannot happen), then since $a-b$ is a prime and $d=(a,b) \mid a-b$ we have $d=a-b$ or $d=1$. Suppose FTSOC that $(a+b)^2+4=p$ was a prime.
Case 1: $d=1$
In this case $ab+1=2021^c$ it means that $ab=2021^c-1$, now if both $a,b$ were even then clearly $(a+b)^2+4$ cannot be a prime as it is divisbile by $4$. Now back to $a-b=q$ where $q$ is a prime we also have that $b^2+qb+1-2021^c=0$ which means by quadratic formula that:
$$b=\frac{-q+\sqrt{q^2+4 \cdot 2021^c-4}}{2} \implies q^2+4 \cdot (2021^c-1)=t^2$$Now clearly $a+b$ is odd so $q \ge 3$, and also notice that $b=\frac{t-q}{2}$ implies that $a=\frac{t+q}{2}$ so we in fact get $a+b=t$, so if we have that $p=t^2+4=q^2+4 \cdot 2021^c$ and $c$ is even then as $p \equiv 1 \pmod 4$ must have exactly one representation of the form $p=x^2+y^2$ (this can be proven using Thue Lemma), then we have that either $4=q^2$ or $4=4 \cdot 2021^c$, of course neither can happen therefore we get a contradiction!. And if $c$ is odd then if $q \ge 5$ we get that as $2021 \equiv -1 \pmod 3$ that $t^2 \equiv 2 \pmod 3$ which is a contradiction so $q=3$, but then $t^2=4 \cdot 2021^c+5 \equiv 5 \pmod 47$ and this is a contradiction as by QR's we have that $\left( \frac{5}{47} \right) = \left( \frac{47}{5} \right)= \left( \frac{2}{5} \right)=-1$ so no such $t$ should exist, contradiction!.
Case 2: $d=q$ prime.
In this case we have $a=qx+q$ and $b=qx$ and $[a,b]=q(x^2+x)$ so $2021^c=qx^2+qx+q=q(x^2+x+1)$ and so $q \mid 2021^c$ therefore $q=43,47$, as an extra notice that if some prime $r \mid x^2+x+1$ then we must have by orders that either $r=3$ and $x \equiv 1 \pmod 3$ or $r \equiv 1 \pmod 3$, but notice that $47 \equiv 2 \pmod 3$ so we must have $q=47$ and $c=1$ or else $47 \mid x^2+x+1$ and that can't happen, which means that we must have $43=x^2+x+1$ and it's clear that the only positive solution is $x=6$ therefore $a=47 \cdot 7=329$ and $b=47 \cdot 6=282$ and thus $p=611^2+4$ must be prime, but this can't happen as then $611^2+4 \equiv 1+4 \equiv 0 \pmod 5$ so $5 \mid p$ which would mean $p=5$, an obvious size contradiction!.
Therefore in either case we can't have that $(a+b)^2+4$ is prime, thus we are done :cool:.
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NuMBeRaToRiC
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Is this wrong?
Can someone check it!
Let $a>b$, $a-b=p$ prime and $(a,b)=d$. For the contrary let $(a+b)^2+4=q$ prime. Then $d\mid (a,b)\mid {a-b}=p$, so $d=1$ or $p$.
Case 1: If $d=1$, then $ab+1=[a,b]+(a,b)=2021^c$. If $c$ even then $(a+b)^2+2^2=q=(a-b)^2+4(ab+1)=(a-b)^2+(2\cdot2021^\frac{c}{2})^2$, which is the contradiction, because a prime number has unique represantion as sum of two squares (I think its Fermat theorem). So if $c$ odd then $ab\equiv 1 \pmod 3$, i.e $a\equiv b\pmod 3$, so $a-b=p=3$. So our condition becomes $b^2+3b+1\equiv 0\pmod {43}$ (in fact $b^2+3b+1=2021^c$). In other word $(2b+3)^2\equiv 8\pmod {43}$, i.e $(\frac{8}{43})=1$, but $1=(\frac{8}{43})=(\frac{2^3}{43})=(\frac{2}{43})=(-1)^{\frac{43^2-1}{8}}=-1$, which is contradiction.
Case 2: If $d=p$, then $a=b+p$, $b=pb_1$ and $p(1+b_1(b_1+1))=(a,b)+[a,b]=2021^c$, so $b_1(b_1+1)+1=43^{c-1}47^c$ or $43^c47^{c-1}$. If $47\mid b_1(b_1+1)+1$, then $b_1(b_1+1)+1\equiv 0\pmod {47}$, i.e $(2b_1+1)^2\equiv -3\pmod {47}$. So $(\frac{-3}{47})=1$, but
$1=(\frac{-3}{47})=(\frac{-1}{47})(\frac{3}{47})=(-1)(\frac{47}{3})(-1)^{\frac{(3-1)(47-1)}{4}}=-1$,
which is contradiction. So $47\nmid b_1(b_1+1)+1$, i.e $b_1(b_1+1)+1=43$ ($c=1$), then $b_1=6$, $p=47$, $b=6\cdot47$, $a=7\cdot47$. And $(a+b)^2+4$ is not prime (because it divisible by 5).
So we are done!
This post has been edited 4 times. Last edited by NuMBeRaToRiC, May 2, 2025, 4:04 PM
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Grasshopper-
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sttsmet wrote:
Can anybody tell me the NAME of this well known theorem with the sum of two squares??

I think it's called "Fermat's Two Squares Theorem"
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