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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.

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
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
interesting geo config (2/3)
Royal_mhyasd   3
N 3 minutes ago by Royal_mhyasd
Source: own
Let $\triangle ABC$ be an acute triangle and $H$ its orthocenter. Let $P$ be a point on the parallel through $A$ to $BC$ such that $\angle APH = |\angle ABC-\angle ACB|$. Define $Q$ and $R$ as points on the parallels through $B$ to $AC$ and through $C$ to $AB$ similarly. If $P,Q,R$ are positioned around the sides of $\triangle ABC$ as in the given configuration, prove that $P,Q,R$ are collinear.
3 replies
Royal_mhyasd
Yesterday at 11:36 PM
Royal_mhyasd
3 minutes ago
interesting geo config (1\3)
Royal_mhyasd   2
N 5 minutes ago by Royal_mhyasd
Source: own
Let $\triangle ABC$ be an acute triangle with $AC > AB$, $H$ its orthocenter and $O$ it's circumcenter. Let $P$ be a point on the parallel through $A$ to $BC$ such that $\angle APH = \angle ABC - \angle ACB$ and $P$ and $C$ are on different sides of $AB$. Denote by $S$ the intersection of the circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$ and $PA'$, where $A'$ is the reflection of $H$ over $BC$, $M$ the midpoint of $PH$, $Q$ the intersection of $OA$ and the parallel through $M$ to $AS$, $R$ the intersection of $MS$ and the perpendicular through $O$ to $PS$ and $N$ a point on $AS$ such that $NT \parallel PS$, where $T$ is the midpoint of $HS$. Prove that $Q, N, R$ lie on a line.

fiy it's 2am and i'm bored so i decided to look further into this interesting config that i had already made some observations on, maybe this problem is trivial from some theorem so if that's the case then i'm sorry lol :P i'll probably post 2 more problems related to it soon, i'd say they're easier than this though
2 replies
1 viewing
Royal_mhyasd
Yesterday at 11:18 PM
Royal_mhyasd
5 minutes ago
Find all sequences satisfying two conditions
orl   35
N 19 minutes ago by wangyanliluke
Source: IMO Shortlist 2007, C1, AIMO 2008, TST 1, P1
Let $ n > 1$ be an integer. Find all sequences $ a_1, a_2, \ldots a_{n^2 + n}$ satisfying the following conditions:
\[ \text{ (a) } a_i \in \left\{0,1\right\} \text{ for all } 1 \leq i \leq n^2 + n;
\]

\[ \text{ (b) } a_{i + 1} + a_{i + 2} + \ldots + a_{i + n} < a_{i + n + 1} + a_{i + n + 2} + \ldots + a_{i + 2n} \text{ for all } 0 \leq i \leq n^2 - n.
\]
Author: Dusan Dukic, Serbia
35 replies
orl
Jul 13, 2008
wangyanliluke
19 minutes ago
Gcd of N and its coprime pair sum
EeEeRUT   20
N 24 minutes ago by Adywastaken
Source: EGMO 2025 P1
For a positive integer $N$, let $c_1 < c_2 < \cdots < c_m$ be all positive integers smaller than $N$ that are coprime to $N$. Find all $N \geqslant 3$ such that $$\gcd( N, c_i + c_{i+1}) \neq 1$$for all $1 \leqslant i \leqslant m-1$

Here $\gcd(a, b)$ is the largest positive integer that divides both $a$ and $b$. Integers $a$ and $b$ are coprime if $\gcd(a, b) = 1$.

Proposed by Paulius Aleknavičius, Lithuania
20 replies
EeEeRUT
Apr 16, 2025
Adywastaken
24 minutes ago
geometry problem with many circumcircles
Melid   0
26 minutes ago
Source: own
In scalene triangle $ABC$, which doesn't have right angle, let $O$ be its circumcenter. Circle $BOC$ intersects $AB$ and $AC$ at $A_{1}$ and $A_{2}$ for the second time, respectively. Similarly, circle $COA$ intersects $BC$ and $BA$ at $B_{1}$ and $B_{2}$, and circle $AOB$ intersects $CA$ and $CB$ at $C_{1}$ and $C_{2}$ for the second time, respectively. Let $O_{1}$ and $O_{2}$ be circumcenters of triangle $A_{1}B_{1}C_{1}$ and $A_{2}B_{2}C_{2}$, respectively. Prove that $O, O_{1}, O_{2}$ are collinear.
0 replies
Melid
26 minutes ago
0 replies
Rootiful sets
InternetPerson10   38
N an hour ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: IMO 2019 SL N3
We say that a set $S$ of integers is rootiful if, for any positive integer $n$ and any $a_0, a_1, \cdots, a_n \in S$, all integer roots of the polynomial $a_0+a_1x+\cdots+a_nx^n$ are also in $S$. Find all rootiful sets of integers that contain all numbers of the form $2^a - 2^b$ for positive integers $a$ and $b$.
38 replies
InternetPerson10
Sep 22, 2020
cursed_tangent1434
an hour ago
weird conditions in geo
Davdav1232   2
N an hour ago by teoira
Source: Israel TST 7 2025 p1
Let \( \triangle ABC \) be an isosceles triangle with \( AB = AC \). Let \( D \) be a point on \( AC \). Let \( L \) be a point inside the triangle such that \( \angle CLD = 90^\circ \) and
\[
CL \cdot BD = BL \cdot CD.
\]Prove that the circumcenter of triangle \( \triangle BDL \) lies on line \( AB \).
2 replies
1 viewing
Davdav1232
May 8, 2025
teoira
an hour ago
Long FE with f(0)=0
Fysty   4
N 2 hours ago by MathLuis
Source: Own
Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ satisfying $f(0)=0$ and
$$f(f(x)+xf(y)+y)+xf(x+y)+f(y^2)=x+f(f(y))+(f(x)+y)(f(y)+x)$$for all $x,y\in\mathbb{R}$.
4 replies
Fysty
May 23, 2021
MathLuis
2 hours ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   1
N 2 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b> 0. $ Prove that
$$  \frac{a^3}{b^3+ab^2}+ \frac{4b^3}{a^3+b^3+2ab^2}\geq \frac{3}{2}$$$$\frac{a^3}{b^3+(a+b)^3}+ \frac{b^3}{a^3+(a+b)^3}+ \frac{(a+b)^2}{a^2+b^2+ab} \geq \frac{14}{9}$$
1 reply
sqing
3 hours ago
sqing
2 hours ago
Quadruple isogonal conjugate inside cyclic quad
Noob_at_math_69_level   8
N 3 hours ago by awesomeming327.
Source: DGO 2023 Team & Individual P3
Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral with $M_1,M_2,M_3,M_4$ being the midpoints of segments $AB,BC,CD,DA$ respectively. Suppose $E$ is the intersection of diagonals $AC,BD$ of quadrilateral $ABCD.$ Define $E_1$ to be the isogonal conjugate point of point $E$ in $\triangle{M_1CD}.$ Define $E_2,E_3,E_4$ similarly. Suppose $E_1E_3$ intersects $E_2E_4$ at a point $W.$ Prove that: The Newton-Gauss line of quadrilateral $ABCD$ bisects segment $EW.$

Proposed by 土偶 & Paramizo Dicrominique
8 replies
Noob_at_math_69_level
Dec 18, 2023
awesomeming327.
3 hours ago
Interesting inequality
sqing   3
N 3 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c\geq  0 , a^2+b^2+c^2 =3.$ Prove that
$$ a^4+ b^4+c^4+6abc\leq9$$$$ a^3+ b^3+  c^3+3( \sqrt{3}-1)abc\leq 3\sqrt 3$$
3 replies
sqing
Yesterday at 2:54 AM
sqing
3 hours ago
2-var inequality
sqing   12
N 4 hours ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b>0 , a^2+b^2-ab\leq 1 . $ Prove that
$$a^3+b^3 -\frac{a^4}{b+1}  -\frac{b^4}{a+1} \leq 1 $$
12 replies
sqing
May 27, 2025
sqing
4 hours ago
Sum of whose elements is divisible by p
nntrkien   46
N 4 hours ago by Jackson0423
Source: IMO 1995, Problem 6, Day 2, IMO Shortlist 1995, N6
Let $ p$ be an odd prime number. How many $ p$-element subsets $ A$ of $ \{1,2,\dots,2p\}$ are there, the sum of whose elements is divisible by $ p$?
46 replies
nntrkien
Aug 8, 2004
Jackson0423
4 hours ago
Graph Theory
achen29   4
N 5 hours ago by ABCD1728
Are there any good handouts or even books in Graph Theory for a beginner in it? Preferable handouts which are extensive!
4 replies
achen29
Apr 24, 2018
ABCD1728
5 hours ago
Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2024- P3
Lukaluce   15
N May 1, 2025 by MATHS_ENTUSIAST
Source: JBMO 2024
Find all triples of positive integers $(x, y, z)$ that satisfy the equation

$$2020^x + 2^y = 2024^z.$$
Proposed by Ognjen Tešić, Serbia
15 replies
Lukaluce
Jun 27, 2024
MATHS_ENTUSIAST
May 1, 2025
Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2024- P3
G H J
Source: JBMO 2024
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Lukaluce
274 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Sedro, farhad.fritl, ItsBesi
Find all triples of positive integers $(x, y, z)$ that satisfy the equation

$$2020^x + 2^y = 2024^z.$$
Proposed by Ognjen Tešić, Serbia
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Lukaluce, Jun 28, 2024, 12:36 PM
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giannis2006
45 posts
#2 • 1 Y
Y by farhad.fritl
We have the following cases:
$1) y>2x$. Then we get that: $2^{2x}(505^x+2^{y-2x})=2^{3z}253^z$,so $2x=v_2(LHS)=v_2(RHS)=3z$ and hence $505^x+2^{y-2x}=253^z$, which is a contradiction by $mod 3$
$2) y<2x$. Then we get that: $2^y(2^{2x-y}505^x+1)= 2^{3z}505^z$ With the same way as case $1$ we get that $y=3z$ and hence $2^{2x-y}505^x+1=253^z$, which is a contradiction by $ mod 3$.
$3) y=2x$. Then we get that: $2^{2x}(505^x+1)=2^{3z}253^z$
$505^x+1  \equiv 2 mod 4$, and hence $2x+1=v_2(LHS)=v_2(RHS)=3z$, so equivalently we have that $505^x+1=2*253^z=2*253^{\frac {2x+1} {3}}$, which has only $x=1$ as a positive integer solution. So, in this case $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$ ,which is the only solution of the given equation.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by giannis2006, Jun 27, 2024, 11:47 AM
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P2nisic
406 posts
#3
Y by
Consider $U_2$ we get:
$2x=3z$ contradiction since then $LHS>RHS$
$y=3z$ then $2020^x=2024^z-8^z=2016[...]$ contradiction since $7|2016$ but not $2020$
$y=2x$ we have that $2^{2x}(505^x+1)=2^{3z}*253^z$ or $505^x+1=2^{3z-2x}*253^z$
Consider $mod4$ we get that $3z-2x=1$ and then from inelyalites esily get $x=1,y=2,z=1$
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Z4ADies
64 posts
#4
Y by
First,assume that $x \geq 2 $ and $y \geq 3$.
In first case we will inspect $2x=y$.
Then,from taking both sides' power, $2x=y=3z$.
It is known that,$x>z$ but, $505^x+1=253^z$ which is contradiction.
In second case we will inspect $2x>y$.
Like first method,we get $y=3z$ then, $2x>3z$.
So, $2^{2x-y}.505^x+1 \geq 2.505^x+1 >253^z$
contradiction again.
In third case we will look $y>2x$.
From getting power both sides, we found that,$2x=3z$.$505^x+2^{y-2x}=253^z$ obviously contradicition.
So,$x=1,y=2,z=1$.
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Assassino9931
1382 posts
#5
Y by
Proposed by Serbia. Do not get negatively fooled by the classical looking statement -- the various possible approaches here can teach students a lot of important ideas!

Proposer solution, powers of 2 and size arguments

My solution, moduli and Fermat classics
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Assassino9931, Jun 27, 2024, 2:33 PM
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OgnjenTesic
47 posts
#6 • 7 Y
Y by Assassino9931, oVlad, Sedro, Math_.only., ehuseyinyigit, farhad.fritl, mrtheory
Proposed by me (Ognjen Tešić, Serbia).
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Marinchoo
407 posts
#7
Y by
Taking the equation modulo $5$ yields $y$ is even, so $y=2y_1$. Now if $x\neq y_1$ we have \[2x\geq \nu_{2}(2020^x+2^y)=\min\{2x, 2y_1\}=\nu_{2}(2024^z)=3z.\]However, $2x<3z$ as $2024^z>2020^x>2024^{\frac{2}{3}x}$. Therefore $x=y_1$, and the equation becomes $4^x(505^x+1)=2024^z$. Modulo $11$ implies $x$ is odd, at which point $\nu_2(505^x+1)=\nu_2(506)=1$. Comparing the $\nu_2$'s of both sides gives $2x+1=3z$, so $x=3t+1$, $z=2t+1$ for some nonnegative integer $t$. Clearly, $t=0$ leads to the solution $(x, y, z) = (1, 2, 1)$. When $t>0$ we derive a contradiction from:
\[1>\frac{2020^{3t+1}}{2024^{2t+1}}=\frac{505}{506}\cdot \left(\frac{2020^3}{2024^2}\right)^t\geq \frac{505}{506}\cdot \left(\frac{2020^3}{2024^2}\right)>1.\]
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Davut1102
22 posts
#8
Y by
..........
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Davut1102, Jul 1, 2024, 1:35 PM
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Sedro
5856 posts
#9
Y by
The only solution is $(x,y,z) = (1,2,1)$, which obviously works. We now prove it is the only one.

Claim: $y=2x$.

Proof: Take both sides of the equation modulo $3$ to get $1+2^y\equiv 2^z \pmod{3}$. Clearly, we must have $2^y \equiv 1 \pmod{3}$, so $y$ is even and $z$ is odd. Let $y = 2y_0$, for a positive integer $y_0$. Then, the given equation becomes $2020^x + 4^{y_0} = 2024^z$. Note that $v_2(2024^z) = 3z$ is always odd. Since $v_2(4)$ and $v_2(2020)$ are both even, it follows if $v_2(2020^x)\ne v_2(4^{y_0})$, then either $v_2(2020^x + 4^{y_0}) = v_2(2020^x) = 2x$ or $v_2(2020^x + 4^{y_0}) = v_2(4^{y_0})=2y_0$, neither of which are odd. Thus, $v_2(2020^x) = v_2(4^{y_0})$. Because $v_2(2020)=v_2(4)$, we must have $x=y_0$, and our claim follows.

Claim: The only possible value of $x$ is $1$.

Proof: Rewrite the given equation as $4^x(505^x + 1^x) = 2024^z$. Note that when $x=1$, $505^1+1^1=506$ is divisible by all the prime factors of $2024$, which are $2$, $11$, and $23$. If $x>1$, by Zsigmondy, there exists some $p\notin \{2,11,23\}$ that divides $505^x + 1^x$, and hence it is impossible that $505^x+1^x \mid 2024^z$. Thus, $x=1$, and we are done. $\blacksquare$
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megarnie
5611 posts
#10
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The only solution is $(1,2,1)$, which clearly works.

Notice that taking the equation mod $7$ gives $4^x + 2^y \equiv 1 \pmod 7$. Since $4^3 \equiv 2^3 \equiv 1\pmod 7$, if $3$ divided either one of $x$ or $y$, then we have that one of $4^x, 2^y$ is $0\pmod 7$, which is absurd. Hence $3\nmid xy$.

Hence $\nu_2(2020^x), \nu_2(2^y)$ are both not multiples of $3$, so they cannot be equal to $ \nu_2(2024^z)$. If $\nu_2(2020^x) \ne \nu_2(2^y)$, then we would have $\nu_2(2024^z) = \nu_2(2020^x + 2^y) \in \{\nu_2(2020^x) , \nu_2(2^y)\}$, which is absurd, so $\nu_2(2020^x) = \nu_2(2^y)$, so $2x = y$. Now we have \[ 2020^x + 4^x = 2024^z \]If $x > 1$, then by Zsigmondy there exists a prime $p$ not dividing $2020^1 + 4^1 = 2024$ that divides $2020^x + 4^x$, absurd. Hence $x = 1$ must hold.
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WallyWalrus
916 posts
#11
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$\textbf{A) }$Working in modulo $10$, we obtain:
The last digit of $2020^x$ is $0$ for all $x\in\mathbb{N}$.

The last digit of $2^y$ is $\begin{cases}2,\text{ for y }\equiv 1\pmod4\\4,\text{ for y }\equiv 2\pmod4\\8,\text{ for y }\equiv 3\pmod4\\6,\text{ for y }\equiv 0\pmod4\end{cases}$

The last digit of $2024^z$ is $\begin{cases}4,\text{ for z }\equiv 1\pmod2\\6,\text{ for z }\equiv 0\pmod2\end{cases}$

Results: $y=2w,\;w\in\mathbb{N}$ and $w-z\equiv0\pmod2$.
The equation becomes:
$2020^x+4^w=2024^z$, where $w,z$ have the same parity $\quad\textbf{(1)}$.

$\textbf{B) }$Working in modulo $3$, we obtain:
$2020^x\equiv1\pmod3;\;4^w\equiv1\pmod3\Longrightarrow 2024^z\equiv2\pmod3\Longrightarrow z$ is odd number $\Longrightarrow w$ is odd number.

$\textbf{Case 1: }\min\{x,w,z\}=w;\;w\le x;\;w\le z$.
Dividing in $\textbf{(1)}$ by $4^w$ results:
$505^x\cdot 4^{x-w}+1=506^z\cdot 4^{z-w}$.
$z-w$ is an even non-negative number and results: the last digit of $506^z\cdot 4^{z-w}$ is $6$.
The last digit of $505^x\cdot 4^{x-w}$ must be $5$, hence $x=w$ and we obtain
$505^x+1=506^z\cdot 4^{z-w}$.
Working in modulo $4$ in the last relation, results:
$505^x\equiv1\pmod4\Longrightarrow 506^z\cdot 4^{z-w}\equiv2\pmod4\Longrightarrow$
$\Longrightarrow z-w=0;\;z=1\Longrightarrow x=w=z=1\Longrightarrow y=2$
and the triplet $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$ is solution of the equation $2020^x+2^y=2024^z$.

$\textbf{Case 2: }\min\{x,w,z\}=x;\;x<w;\;x\le z$.
Dividing in $\textbf{(1)}$ by $4^x$ results:
$505^x+4^{w-x}=506^z\cdot 4^{z-x}$.
$505^x$ is odd number; $4^{w-x}$ and $506^z\cdot 4^{z-x}$ are even numbers, hence the last equation has no solutions.

$\textbf{Case 3: }\min\{x,w,z\}=z;\;z<x;\;z<w$.
$2020^x+4^w=2024^z$.
$v_2(2024^z)=3z$, odd number (see $\textbf{B)}$).

$\textbf{case 3.1: }x<w$
$2020^x+4^w=4^x(505^x+4^{w-x})\Longrightarrow v_2(2020^x+4^w)=2x$, even number, hence the equation has no solutions.

$\textbf{case 3.2: }x>w$
$2020^x+4^w=4^w(505^x\cdot4^{x-w}+1)\Longrightarrow v_2(2020^x+4^w)=2w$, even number, hence the equation has no solutions.

$\textbf{case 3.3: }x=w$
$2020^x+4^x=2024^z$.
$z=2u+1;\;x=w>z$, where $u\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{0\}$ (see $\textbf{B)}$).
$2020^x+4^x=4^x(505^x+1)$.
$505^x+1\equiv2\pmod4\Longrightarrow v_2(505^x+1)=1\Longrightarrow$
$\Longrightarrow v_2(2020^x+4^x)=v_2(4^x(505^x+1))=2x+1=3z\Longrightarrow$
$\Longrightarrow 2x+1=6u+3\Longrightarrow x=w=3u+1;\;z=2u+1$.
$x>z\Longrightarrow u>0$.
The equation becomes:
$2020^{3u+1}+4^{3u+1}=2024^{2u+1}\Longrightarrow 505^{3u+1}+1=2\cdot253^{2u+1}\Longrightarrow$
$\Longrightarrow 505\cdot505^{3u}+1=506\cdot253^{2u}$, contradiction since
$505\cdot505^{3u}>506\cdot253^{2u},\;\forall u\in\mathbb{N}$ (proved many times in the previous posts).

$\textbf{Conclusion:}$
The equation in positive integers $2020^x+2^y=2024^z$ has the unique solution $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$.
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PaixiaoLover
123 posts
#13
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take mod 3 to get $1+(-1)^y=(-1)^z$. Because of this, we know y must be even and z must be odd.

Let $y=2y_1$ and $z=2z_1+1$. Prime factorizing the original equation, $2^{2x}\cdot505^x+2^{2y_1}=2^{6z_1+3}
\cdot253^{2z_1+1}$

Now considering the largest factor of 2 that divides the LHS, if $2y_1$ is the smallest factor, then $2y_1=6z_1+3$, impossible. Similarly, if 2x is the largest factor of 2, $2x=6z_1+3$ is impossible. This means $2x=2y_1$ and the factor of 2 on the LHS is $2^{2x+1}$ since the v2 of $505^{x}+1$ is at 2. (since its 0 mod 2 and not 0 mod 4). So we have $2x+1=3z_1$

Going back, we have $x=x, y=2x, z=\frac{2x+1}{3}$. since $\frac{2x+1}{3}$ is an integer, set $x=3k+1$ Plugging in and dividing by largest factor of 2 we get $505^{3k+1}+1=2\cdot253^{2k+1}.$ k=0 works, but any larger k dosent work since $505^{3k+1}+1 > 505 \cdot 505^{3k} > 506 \cdot 253^{2k}$ so the only solution is k=0, which represents $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by PaixiaoLover, Jan 3, 2025, 7:56 PM
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ItsBesi
147 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by farhad.fritl
Here is my solution:

Answer: $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$

Solution:

Claim: $y-$even and $z-$odd
Proof:

By taking $\pmod 3$ we get:

$1+(-1)^y \equiv (-1)^z \pmod 3$ if $y-$ even then: $(-1)^z \equiv 0 \pmod 3$ which is a contradiction so $\boxed{y-\text{even}}$

Hence $(-1)^z \equiv -1 \pmod 3 \implies \boxed{z-\text{odd}}$ $\square$

Since $y-$ even we get that $y=2 \cdot y'$ so our equation transforms into the following:

$$2020^x+4^{y'}=2024^z$$Claim: $x=y'$
Proof: FTSOC assume $x \neq y'$

So $x \neq y' \iff 2x \neq 2y' \iff x \cdot 2 \neq y' \cdot 2 \iff x \cdot \nu_2(2020) \neq y'\cdot \nu_2(4) \iff \nu_2(2020^x) \neq \nu_2(4^{y})$

So we got that: $x \neq y' \iff \nu_2(2020^x) \neq \nu_2(4^{y})$

Hence we get that: $\nu_2(2020^x+4^{y'})= \min\{\nu_2(2020^x) , \nu_2(4^{y'}) \}= \min\{2x,2y' \}=2 \cdot \min\{x,y' \} \implies  \nu_2(2020^x+4^{y'} \}=2 \cdot \min\{x,y' \} $ $...(1)$

Also on the other hand we have that: $\nu_2(2024^z)=z \cdot \nu_2(2024)= z \cdot 3 =3 \cdot z \implies \nu_2(2024^z)=3 \cdot z$ $...(2)$

Hence we get that $3 \cdot z \stackrel{(2)}{=} \nu_2(2024^z)= \nu_2(2020^x+4^{y'} \} \stackrel{(1)}{=} 2 \cdot \min\{x,y' \} \implies 3 \cdot z=2 \cdot \min\{x,y' \}$

So $2 \mid 2 \cdot \min\{x,y' \}=3 \cdot z \implies 2 \mid 3 \cdot z \implies 2 \mid z \iff z \equiv 0 \pmod 2$ which is a contradiction because we found that $z-\text{odd}$

So our assumption is wrong hence $x=y'$ $\square$ $\implies$
$$2020^x+4^x=2024^x$$Claim: $\nu_{11}(x)=0$
Proof: FTSOC assume $\nu_{11}(x) \geq 1$

So by taking $\nu_{11}$ on both sides and using Lifting the Exponent Lemma (LTE) we get:

$1+\nu_{11}(x)=\nu_{11}(2024)+\nu_{11}(x)=\nu_{11}(2020+4)+\nu_{11}(x) \stackrel{LTE}{=}\nu_{11}(2020^x+4^x)=\nu_{11}(2024^z)=z \cdot \nu_{11}(2024)=z \implies$

$ 1+\nu_{11}(x)=z \iff z=1+\nu_{11}(x)$ Since $z- \text{odd}$ we get that $\nu_{11}(x)-\text{even}.$ Let $\nu_{11}(x)=2k  \implies z=2k+1$ also $x=11^{2k} \cdot t \implies x=121^k \cdot t$

So our equation transforms into the following:

$2020^{121^k \cdot t} + 4^{121^k \cdot t} = 2024^{2k+1}$ Now by taking $\nu_2$ we get:

$6k+3= (2k+1) \cdot 3  = (2k+1) \cdot \nu_2(2024)=\nu_2(2024^{2k+1})=\nu_2( 2020^{121^k \cdot t} + 4^{121^k \cdot t})$

$\geq \min\{\nu_2(2020^{121^k \cdot t}) , \nu_2( 4^{121^k \cdot t} ) \} =\min\{121^k \cdot t \cdot \nu_2(2020) , 121^k \cdot t \cdot \nu_2(4) \} = \min\{(121^k \cdot t \cdot 2), (121^k \cdot t \cdot 2) \}=121^k \cdot t \cdot 2$

$ \implies 6k+3 \geq 121^k \cdot t \cdot 2$ but this isn't true for $k \geq 1$

So our assumption is wrong hence $\nu_{11}(x)=0 \square$ so $z=1+\nu_{11}(x)=1 \implies \boxed{z=1}$

So $2020^x+4^x=2024$ clearly $\boxed{x=1}$ so $y=2 \cdot y' =2 \cdot x=2 \implies \boxed{y=2}$

Hence $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$ is the only solution $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 4 times. Last edited by ItsBesi, May 24, 2025, 8:15 PM
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EVKV
71 posts
#15 • 3 Y
Y by Nobitasolvesproblems1979, Umudlu, Nuran2010
Claim: $y=2x$.
Proof: Analyzing $mod$ $5$ $y$ is even
let $y=2g$
now $mod$ $3$ gives $z$ is odd
$2020^{x} + 2^{2g} = 2024^{z}$ is same as $4^{x}505^{x} + 4^{g} = 2024^{z}$
Case 1: x>g
$ 2^{2g}(4^{x-g}505^{x} +1) = 2^{3z}253^{z}$
Implying $2g = 3z$ nonsense
Case 1: x<g
$ 2^{2x}(505^{x} +4^{g-x}) = 2^{3z}253^{z}$
Implying $2x = 3z$ nonsense

thus x=g

Now taking $ mod$ $ 5$ again we get $x$ is odd

$ 2^{2x}(505^{x} +1) = 2^{3z}253^{z}$
$v_2(505^{x} +1) = 1$
So, $2x+1 = 3z$
So, $x=3k+1$ (for a non-negetive integer k)
So,$z=2k+1$
Clearly (U can also induct) $2020^{3k+1} > 2024^{2k+1}$ for $k \neq 0$
thus $2020^{3k+1} +4^{3k+1} = 2020^{x} + 2^{y} > 2024^{z}$ for $k \neq 0$

Thus only solution is $(x,y,z)=(1,2,1)$
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ray66
48 posts
#16
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Taking mod 3 gives $1+(-1)^y \equiv (-1)^z \pmod 3$, so $y$ is even and $z$ is odd. Now consider $\nu_2$ of both sides. The RHS is $\nu_2(2024^z) = 3z$, so it's odd. The LHS is $\nu_2(2020^x+2^y)$, and it's odd if and only if $y=2x$. Now write the LHS as $4^x(505^x+1)$, and taking mod 4 on the inside sum gives $505^x+1\equiv 2 \pmod 4$. Now we have the relationship $z=\frac{2x+1}{3}$. We can easily check that $\boxed{(1,2,1)}$ is a solution, and we see that for $x>1$, the LHS is strictly greater than the RHS, so there are no solutions $x\ge 2$.
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MATHS_ENTUSIAST
28 posts
#17
Y by
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}

\begin{document}

We are given the equation:
\[
2020^x + 2^y = 2024^z
\]
We aim to find natural numbers x, y, z \in \mathbb{N} that satisfy this equation.

Taking the 2-adic valuation v_2 on both sides:
\[
v_2(2020^x + 2^y) = v_2(2024^z)
\]
Note:
\[
v_2(2020) = 2 \Rightarrow v_2(2020^x) = 2x, \quad v_2(2^y) = y, \quad v_2(2024) = 4 \Rightarrow v_2(2024^z) = 4z
\]
We try different cases based on the relative sizes of 2x, y, and 4z.

\textbf{Case 1: } 2x = y < 4z

Then,
\[
2020^x + 2^y = 2^y(a + 1), \quad \text{where } a \in \mathbb{N}, \text{ odd}
\]So,
\[
v_2(2020^x + 2^y) = y = 4z \Rightarrow 2x = 4z \Rightarrow x = 2z
\]
Now reduce modulo 3:
\[
2^{2x} + 1 \equiv 0 \pmod{3} \Rightarrow 2^{2x} \equiv -1 \pmod{3}
\]
But since 2^2 \equiv 1 \pmod{3}, we get:
\[
2^{2x} \equiv 1 \pmod{3} \Rightarrow \text{Contradiction}
\]
Hence, this case is not possible.

\textbf{Case 2: } y > 2x, \quad 2x = 3z

Then:
\[
2020^x + 2^y = 2^{2x}(a + 1), \quad \text{where } a \text{ is odd}
\Rightarrow v_2 = 2x
\Rightarrow 4z = 2x \Rightarrow z = \frac{x}{2}
\Rightarrow x \text{ must be even}
\]
Try small even values of x.

\textbf{Case 3: } y < 2x, \quad y = 2x, \quad 2x + 1 = 3z

We write:
\[
2020^x + 2^{2x} = 2024^z
\Rightarrow 4^x(505^x + 1) = 2^{4z}(253^z)
\]
Note that 4^x = 2^{2x}, so:
\[
2^{2x}(505^x + 1) = 2^{4z}(253^z)
\Rightarrow 505^x + 1 = 2^{2z}(253^z)
\]
Now, 505^x + 1 must be a power of 2 times 253^z.

Try x = 1:
\[
2020^1 + 2^2 = 2020 + 4 = 2024 = 2024^1 \Rightarrow \text{Valid solution}
\]
So,
\[
x = 1,\quad y = 2x = 2,\quad 2x + 1 = 3z \Rightarrow z = \frac{2x + 1}{3} = \frac{3}{3} = 1
\]
\textbf{Now check if higher values of x can work:}

Try x = 2:
\[
2020^2 + 2^4 = 4080400 + 16 = 4080416 \\
2024^2 = 4096576 \Rightarrow \text{LHS} < \text{RHS}
\]
Try x = 3:
\[
2020^3 + 2^6 = 8204080000 + 64 = 8204080064 \\
2024^3 = 8283809024 \Rightarrow \text{LHS} < \text{RHS}
\]
As x increases, 2^y becomes insignificant, and LHS < RHS.

\textbf{Conclusion:} The only possible solution is:
\[
\boxed{(x, y, z) = (1, 2, 1)}
\]
\end{document}
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by MATHS_ENTUSIAST, May 1, 2025, 9:08 AM
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