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jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
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orl   55
N May 6, 2025 by reni_wee
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
Determine all pairs $(x,y)$ of positive integers such that $x^{2}y+x+y$ is divisible by $xy^{2}+y+7$.
55 replies
orl
Oct 22, 2004
reni_wee
May 6, 2025
IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
G H J
Source: IMO ShortList 1998, number theory problem 1
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orl
3647 posts
#1 • 10 Y
Y by Davi-8191, mathematicsy, samrocksnature, Adventure10, megarnie, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, MAS5236, ItsBesi, cubres
Determine all pairs $(x,y)$ of positive integers such that $x^{2}y+x+y$ is divisible by $xy^{2}+y+7$.
Attachments:
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by orl, Oct 23, 2004, 12:38 PM
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orl
3647 posts
#2 • 6 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, megarnie, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, cubres
Please post your solutions. This is just a solution template to write up your solutions in a nice way and formatted in LaTeX. But maybe your solution is so well written that this is not required finally. For more information and instructions regarding the ISL/ILL problems please look here: introduction for the IMO ShortList/LongList project and regardingsolutions :)
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orl
3647 posts
#3 • 6 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, MarioLuigi8972, Tastymooncake2, cubres
Unchecked solution by nhat:

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

$11^2+11+1 = 133$, which is divisible by $11+1+7 = 19$.
$49^2+49+1 = 2451$, which is divisible by $49+1+7 = 57$.
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paladin8
3237 posts
#5 • 16 Y
Y by acupofmath, DominicanAOPSer, techniqq, Understandingmathematics, myh2910, samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, Tastymooncake2, MAS5236, cubres, and 5 other users
My full solution...

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

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

First we claim that all solutions have both sides nonnegative.

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

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

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

Case 1: Both sides are zero.

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

Case 2: Both sides are positive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then our condition is equivalent to:

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

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

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

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

Case 1: $ y=1$.

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

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

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

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

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

Case 2: $ y=2$.

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


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

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

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

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

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

So $ x=7t^2$

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

Checking this in the original problem:

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

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

$ =t$ which is an integer.

Hence all solutions are given by:

$ (x,y) = (11,1), (49,1), (7t^2,7t)$
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JSGandora
4216 posts
#9 • 4 Y
Y by samrocksnature, Adventure10, Mango247, cubres
KrazyFK wrote:
First, suppose that $ gcd(y,7)=1$. Then the problem can be restated as follows.



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



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



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

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

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

We note that (i)

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

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

now we have that

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

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

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

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

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

now $b^2<7a$

By (i) we have that

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

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

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

We have two cases:

Case 1: $b=1$

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

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

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

Case 2: $b=2$

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

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

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

Thanks
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