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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Apr 2, 2025
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0 replies
jlacosta
Apr 2, 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
The Appetizer of Iran NT2023
alinazarboland   6
N 5 minutes ago by A22-
Source: Iran MO 3rd round 2023 NT exam , P1
Find all integers $n > 4$ st for every two subsets $A,B$ of $\{0,1,....,n-1\}$ , there exists a polynomial $f$ with integer coefficients st either $f(A) = B$ or $f(B) = A$ where the equations are considered mod n.
We say two subsets are equal mod n if they produce the same set of reminders mod n. and the set $f(X)$ is the set of reminders of $f(x)$ where $x \in X$ mod n.
6 replies
alinazarboland
Aug 17, 2023
A22-
5 minutes ago
Do not try to case bash lol
ItzsleepyXD   1
N 6 minutes ago by Haris1
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P3
Let $n,d\geqslant 6$ be a positive integer such that $d\mid 6^{n!}+1$ .
Prove that $d>2n+6$ .
1 reply
ItzsleepyXD
33 minutes ago
Haris1
6 minutes ago
Rutthee on some APMO style
ItzsleepyXD   0
7 minutes ago
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P10 (Not Rutthee problem , Idk what to name a sequence)
Let $a_0,a_1,\dots$ be Rutthee sequence if $a_0$ be a positive integer and
$$a_{i}\in\left\{3a_{i-1}+2,\frac{2a_{i-1}+1}{a_{i-1}+2},\frac{a_{i-1}}{2a_{i-1}+3}\right\}$$for all $i \in \mathbb{Z^+}$ and there are some positive integer $n$ sastisfied $a_n\in\{2025,2568\}$
Is it possible that there are Rutthee sequence such that there exist positive integer $m\neq n$ such that $a_m=2025$ and $a_n=2568$ also find all possible value of $a_0$ in Rutthee sequence
0 replies
ItzsleepyXD
7 minutes ago
0 replies
3 var inequality
sqing   0
12 minutes ago
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c>0 ,\frac{a}{b} +\frac{b}{c} +\frac{c}{a} \leq 2\left( \frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}\right). $ Prove that
$$a+b+c+2\geq abc$$Let $ a,b,c>0 , a^3+b^3+c^3\leq 2(ab+bc+ca). $ Prove that
$$a+b+c+2\geq abc$$
0 replies
sqing
12 minutes ago
0 replies
Do not try to bash on beautiful geometry
ItzsleepyXD   0
12 minutes ago
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P9
Let $ABC$be triangle with point $D,E$ and $F$ on $BC,AB,CA$
such that $BE=CF$ and $E,F$ are on the same side of $BC$
Let $M$ be midpoint of segment $BC$ and $N$ be midpoint of segment $EF$
Let $G$ be intersection of $BF$ with $CE$ and $\dfrac{BD}{DC}=\dfrac{AC}{AB}$
Prove that $MN\parallel DG$
0 replies
ItzsleepyXD
12 minutes ago
0 replies
already well-known, but yet strangely difficult
Valentin Vornicu   37
N 14 minutes ago by cursed_tangent1434
Source: Romanian ROM TST 2004, problem 6
Let $a,b$ be two positive integers, such that $ab\neq 1$. Find all the integer values that $f(a,b)$ can take, where \[ f(a,b) = \frac { a^2+ab+b^2} { ab- 1} . \]
37 replies
Valentin Vornicu
May 1, 2004
cursed_tangent1434
14 minutes ago
1 line solution to Inequality
ItzsleepyXD   0
15 minutes ago
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P8
Let $x_1,x_2,\dots,x_n$ be positive real integer such that $x_1^2+x_2^2+\cdots+x_n^2=2$ Prove that
$$\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{1}{x_i^3(x_{i-1}+x_{i+1})}\geqslant \left(\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{x_i}{x_{i-1}+x_{i+1}}\right)^3$$such that $x_{n+1}=x_1$ and $x_0=x_n$
0 replies
ItzsleepyXD
15 minutes ago
0 replies
Invariant board combi style
ItzsleepyXD   0
16 minutes ago
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P7
Oh write $2025^{2025^{2025}}$ real number on the board such that each number is more than $2025^{2025}$ .
Oh erase 2 number $x,y$ on the board and write $\frac{xy-2025}{x+y-90}$ .
Prove that the last number will always be the same regardless the order of number that Oh pick .
0 replies
ItzsleepyXD
16 minutes ago
0 replies
D1025 : Can you do that?
Dattier   1
N 17 minutes ago by Dattier
Source: les dattes à Dattier
Let $x_{n+1}=x_n^3$ and $x_0=3$.

Can you calculate $\sum\limits_{i=1}^{2^{2025}} x_i \mod 10^{30}$?
1 reply
Dattier
Yesterday at 8:24 PM
Dattier
17 minutes ago
finite solutions (CGMO2009/1)
earldbest   6
N 18 minutes ago by Namisgood
Source: China Girls Mathematical Olympiad 2009, Problem 1
Show that there are only finitely many triples $ (x,y,z)$ of positive integers satisfying the equation $ abc=2009(a+b+c).$
6 replies
earldbest
Aug 18, 2009
Namisgood
18 minutes ago
Cut number be multiple of 7 and 3
ItzsleepyXD   0
21 minutes ago
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P6
Let $m,n$ be a natural number . Define $k=\overline{a_1a_2\dots a_ma_{m+1}\cdots a_\ell}$ be cut number at $(m,n)$ if
$$n=\frac{k}{\overline{a_1a_2\dots a_m}+\overline{a_{m+1}\cdots a_\ell}}$$Prove that if $p$ be cut number at $(m,7)$ prove that $3\mid p$ .
0 replies
1 viewing
ItzsleepyXD
21 minutes ago
0 replies
Parallel condition and isogonal
ItzsleepyXD   0
24 minutes ago
Source: Own , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P5
Let $ABC$ be triangle and point $D$ be $A-$ altitude of $\triangle ABC$ .
Let $E,F$ be a point on $AC$ and $AB$ such that $DE\parallel AB$ and $DF\parallel AC$ . Point $G$ is the intersection of $(AEF)$ and $(ABC)$ . Point $P$ be intersection of $(ADG)$ and $BC$ . Line $GD$ intersect circumcircle of $\triangle ABC$ again at $Q$ .
Prove that
(a) $\angle BAP = \angle QAC$ .
(b) $AQ$ bisect $BC$ .
0 replies
ItzsleepyXD
24 minutes ago
0 replies
Removing cell to tile with L tetromino
ItzsleepyXD   0
29 minutes ago
Source: [not own] , Mock Thailand Mathematic Olympiad P4
Consider $2025\times 2025$ Define a cell with $\textit{Nice}$ property if after remove that cell from the board The board can be tile with $L$ tetromino.
Find the number of position of $\textit{Nice}$ cell $\newline$ Note: $L$ tetromino can be rotated but not flipped
0 replies
ItzsleepyXD
29 minutes ago
0 replies
3 var inequality
sqing   1
N 34 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c>0 ,a+b+c+2=abc. $ Prove that
$$a^3+b^3+c^3\geq 2(a^2+b^2+c^2)$$$$a^2+b^2+c^2\geq 2(a+b+c)$$
1 reply
sqing
43 minutes ago
sqing
34 minutes ago
Equation in naturals
Ahiles   50
N Apr 14, 2025 by ray66
Source: BMO 2009 Problem 1
Solve the equation
\[ 3^x - 5^y = z^2.\]
in positive integers.

Greece
50 replies
Ahiles
Apr 30, 2009
ray66
Apr 14, 2025
Equation in naturals
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: BMO 2009 Problem 1
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Reynan
634 posts
#40 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
$$3^x-5^y=z^2$$first we use $\pmod 4$ and get $x=2m$ and $y$ is odd.
so we can write $(3^m-z)(3^m+z)=5^y(1)$
let $d=\gcd(3^m-z,3^m+z)=\gcd(3^m-z,2z)$ so $d|2z$ but from $(1)$ we get $d$ is in the form $5^k$. Note that $5\nmid z$ because if $5|z$ then $5|3^x$ which is impossible so we can conclude that $d=1$

so $3^m-z=1,3^m+z=5^y$ and $2\cdot 3^m=5^y+1$ by zygmondy theorem we cannot find $y>1$ because if for all $y>1$ RHS will get e new primitive prime so we conclude $y=1$ and $m=1\implies z=2$. Only $(2,1,2)$ works
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fighter
507 posts
#41 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
hey brother don't be rood please because I didn't read any post just solved it sorry
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Takeya.O
769 posts
#42 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
@fighter

Hey,brother.I want to know Pythagorean triple solution. :D

Could you teach me?
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Kaladesh
303 posts
#43 • 3 Y
Y by akmathworld, Adventure10, Mango247
AMN300 wrote:
Very standard problem
Solution

not entirely sure your contradiction is a contradiction?
My solution
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yayups
1614 posts
#44 • 4 Y
Y by Illuzion, Pal702004, Adventure10, Mango247
The only solution is $\boxed{(x,y,z)=(2,1,2)}$. Taking the given equation modulo $4$, we learn that
\[(-1)^x-1\equiv 0,1\pmod{4},\]so the only possibility is that $x$ and $z$ are even. We actually don't need that $z$ is even, but we will et $x=2b$. Thus, we have
\[3^{2b}-z^2=5^y,\]so
\[(3^b-z)(3^b+z)=5^y.\]Let the first factor be $5^p$, the second $5^q$. We see that $5^p+5^q=2\cdot 3^b$, which means that we must have $p=0$. Thus, $3^b-z=1$ and $3^b+z=5^y$, so
\[2\cdot 3^b=5^y+1.\]For the left side to be divisible by $3$, we need $y=2c+1$ to be odd. Then, we see that $3\nmid 5^y-1$, so
\[\nu_3(5^y+1)=\nu_3(25^y-1)=1+\nu_3(y)\]by LTE. Thus, $b=1+\nu_3(y)$, so
\[6\cdot 3^{\nu_3(y)}=5^y+1.\]But note that the LHS is at most $6y$, so we have $5^y+1\le 6y$, or $y\le 1$. When $y=1$, we get that $b=1$, so $x=2$. This means that $z^2=9-5=4$, so $z=2$, so the solution must be the one that we claimed. It is easy to see that it works, so we're done. $\blacksquare$
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AlastorMoody
2125 posts
#45 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Solution
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Eyed
1065 posts
#46 • 3 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
I claim that the only solution is $(x,y,z) = (2,1,2)$.
First, if we take $\mod 4$, since $z^{2} \equiv 0,1\mod 4$ and $5^{y}\equiv 1\mod4$, we must have $x$ as even, or else $3^{x} - 5^{y}\equiv 2\mod4$ which can't be equal to $z^{2}$. Therefore, we denote $x = 2x_{1}$.
Rearranging the terms, we get
$$3^{2x_{1}} - z^{2} = 5^{y} \Rightarrow (3^{x_{1}} - z)(3^{x_{1}} + z) = 5^{y}$$Since the only factors of $5^{y}$ is powers of $5$, we must have $3^{x_{1}} - z$ and $3^{x_{1}} + z$ as powers of $5$. I claim that $3^{x_{1}} - z = 1$. If $3^{x_{1}} - z$ is a power of $5$ greater than $1$, then $z\equiv 3^{x_{1}}\mod 5$. However, this implies that $3^{x_{1}} + z \equiv 2\cdot 3^{x_{1}}\mod 5$, so $3^{x_{1}} \equiv 0\mod5$, which is clearly impossible.
Thus, we have $$3^{x_{1}} - z = 1 \Rightarrow z = 3^{x_{1}} - 1 \Rightarrow 3^{x_{1}}+z = 2\cdot 3^{x_{1}} -1 = 5^{k}$$where $k$ is a positive integer. I claim that for all $x_{1} \geq 2$, there are no solutions. This is because then $2\cdot 3^{x_{1}} \equiv 0 \mod 9$, thus $5^{k} \equiv 8 \mod 9$, which implies $k$ is a multiple of $3$. Rearranging, we get $2\cdot 3^{x_{1}} = 5^{k} + 1$. However, then because $k$ is a multiple of $3$, we have $5^{k} + 1 \equiv 0 \mod 7$. Thus $2\cdot 3^{x_{1}}$ must be divisible by $7$, which is clearly impossible. Thus, the only solution is when $x_{1} = 1$, so our only solutions for $(x,y,z)$ is $(2,1,2)$.
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AleksaS
41 posts
#47
Y by
Not hard but beautiful problem!
Let us consider $mod 4$. We get that $x$ is even and let's denote it as $x = 2k$. Then $5^y = (3^k - z)(3^k + z)$. Then it follows that $3^k - z = 5^a$ $(1)$ and $3^k + z = 5^b$ $(2)$ where $a+b=y$ and $a<b$. If we sum $(1), (2)$ we get that $2*3^k = 5^a + 5^b$ but left side is not divisible by $5$ so we obtain that $a = 0$. Now our equation becomes $2*3^k = 5^b + 1$.If $k>1$ by taking $mod 9$ we get that $b$ is divisible by $3$ and let $b=3l$. Now we get that $5^l + 1 = 2*3^c$ and that $5^2l + 5^l + 1 = 3^d$, then it follows that $5^2l = 3^d - 2*3^c$ which gives us contradiction when watching $mod 3$ so $k=1$. Then plugging back we get that $y=1$, $x=2k=2$ and $z=2$. With this we are done!
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MrOreoJuice
594 posts
#48
Y by
Take $\pmod{4}$ we get that $x = \text{even}$

$$\implies x = 2m$$
Substituting back this in our original equation we get that
$$3^{2m} - 5^y = z^2$$$$\implies (3^m + z)(3^m - z) = 5^y$$$$\implies 3^m + z = 5^a \quad \text{and} \quad 3^m - z = 5^b, \quad a+b=y, \quad a > b$$$$\implies 3^m = 5^b \left(\frac{1 + 5^{a-b}}{2}\right) = 5^b \cdot q$$$$\implies b = 0 \quad \text{because power of 3 can't contain 5 in it}$$Putting $b=0$ we get that
$$3^m = \frac{5^y + 1}{2}$$Note that taking $\pmod{3}$ in out original equation we get that $y = \text{odd}$
$$\implies m = v_3\left(\frac{5^y + 1}{2}\right) = v_3(6) + v_3(y) - v_3(2)$$$$\implies m = 1 + v_3(y)$$$$\implies y = 3^{m-1} \cdot k \quad \text{(k is co-prime to 3)}$$$$\implies y \ge 3^{m-1}$$Plugging it back in we get
$$2\cdot 3^m = 5^{k \cdot 3^{m-1}} + 1 \ge 5^{3^{m-1}} + 1$$But notice that $RHS > LHS$ for $m-1 > 0$ (Rigorous proof : Induction)
$$\implies m-1 = 0 \implies m = 1$$$$\implies 3^1 - z = 1 \implies z = 2$$$$\implies y = 1$$Hence the solutions are $\boxed{(x,y,z) = (2,1,2)}$
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Real_Math
6 posts
#49
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I have done this task with mod:
3"x=5"y+z"2
Euler's theorem:
3*2/3=2
z"2=1(mod3)
5"y must be:
5"y=2(mod3)
because z"2+5"y must divided by 3.
if y is 2k+1 then 5"y=2(mod3)
because of that y is single integer.
let k=0
then x=2 y=1 z=2
problem solved
and its the only solve we can have
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Real_Math, Oct 23, 2022, 9:57 AM
Reason: I forgot to say something about this solution
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hectorleo123
342 posts
#50
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Ahiles wrote:
Solve the equation
\[ 3^x - 5^y = z^2.\]in positive integers.

Greece
$3^x-5^y=z^2$
$(-1)^x-1\equiv z^2 \pmod{4}$
$\Rightarrow x\equiv 0 \pmod{2} \Rightarrow x=2a$
$\Rightarrow (3^a-z)(3^a+z)=5^y$
$\Rightarrow 3^a-z=5^m , 3^a+z=5^n$
$\Rightarrow 3^a=\frac{5^m+5^n}{2}$
$\Rightarrow m=0$
$\Rightarrow z=3^a-1, z=5^n-3^a$
$\Rightarrow 2\times 3^a=5^n+1$
If $n>1:$
$5^1+1=2\times 3$
By Zsigmondy´s Theorem:
$\exists$ prime $p\neq 2,3/ p|5^n+1 (\Rightarrow \Leftarrow)$
$\Rightarrow n\le 1$
If $n=1:$
$\Rightarrow a=1 \Rightarrow (x,y,z)=(2,1,2)$ is solution
If $n=0:$
$\Rightarrow a=0 \Rightarrow x=0 (\Rightarrow \Leftarrow)$
$\Rightarrow (x,y,z)=(2,1,2)$ is a unique solution $_\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by hectorleo123, May 19, 2023, 10:46 PM
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F10tothepowerof34
195 posts
#51
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Claim:The only solution is $\boxed{(x,y,z)=(2,1,2)}$
Proof:
Checking$\pmod 3$ gives us $z^2=3^x-5^y\equiv 1,2\pmod 3$ furthermore from the fact that $z^2\equiv 0,1\pmod 3$ we get that $5^y\equiv 1\pmod 3\Longrightarrow 2\nmid y$, $y$ is odd.
Furthermore, by taking $\pmod 4$, we get that $z^2=3^x-5^y\equiv (-1)^x-1\pmod 4$ furthermore $z^2\equiv 0,1\pmod 4$ implies that $x$ is even. ($x=2k$)
Now taking $\pmod 8$, we get that $z^2=3^{2k}-5^y\equiv 4\pmod 8$ which implies that $z^2\equiv 4\pmod 8\Longrightarrow z$ is even.

After these observations, the equation can be rewritten as: $\left(3^k\right)^2-z^2=5^y\Longleftrightarrow (3^k-z)(3^k+z)=5^{a+b}\text{ where } a+b=y\Longrightarrow 3^k-z=5^a\text{ and } 3^k+z=5^b$, now notice that if we sum the equations we get $2\cdot 3^k=5^a+5^b\Longrightarrow 3^k=\frac{5^a+5^b}{2}$ however notice that for $RHS\in \mathbb{Z^+}$, $a$ must be equal to $0$. Thus $a=0\text{ and } b=y$
Thus the equation transforms into $2\cdot3^k=5^y-(-1)^y$ so now we can use $LTE$ to finish up our problem.
$\nu_3(2\cdot3^k)=\nu_3(5^y-(-1))\Longrightarrow k=\nu_3(y)+1\Longrightarrow y\ge3^{k-1}$, furthermore by plugging in our result into our original equation we get $6\cdot 3^k-5^{3^{k-1}}-1\ge0$ now let $f(k)=6\cdot3^k-5^{3^{k-1}}-1$
Claim: The previously stated inequality in integers if and only if, $k=1$
Proof:
$f'(k)=6\cdot3^k\ln {3}-3^{k-1}\cdot 5^{3^{k-1}}\ln {3}\ln {5}<0,  \forall k\ge2$, thus $k=1$ $\square$

Thus $k=1\Longrightarrow x=2$, furthermore form the equation $3^k=z+1$ we get that $z=2$, thus by plugging into our original equation we get $9-4=5^y\Longrightarrow y=1$
So the only solutions are the ones previously stated in the claim$\blacksquare$.
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Captain_Baran
36 posts
#52
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Taking $\pmod4$ we see $x$ is a multiple of $2$. Let $x=2x_1.$ From $\pmod3$ we also see that $y\equiv1\pmod 2.$ Say $y=2y_1+1.$ We have $$(3^{x_1})^{2}-z^{2}=(3^{x_1}-z)(3^{x_1}+z)=5^{2y_1+1}.$$If $3^{x_1}\neq z+1$ we have $2(3^{x_1})\equiv0\pmod 5$ a contradiction. Thus $3^{x_1}=z+1$ so, $$2(3^{x_1})=5^{2y_1+1}+1.$$If $x_1\geq2$ we have $5^{2y_1+1}\equiv -1\pmod 9$ and from Euler's Theorem $y_1\equiv 1 \pmod 6.$
Say $y_1=6y_2+1.$ We have $2(3^{x_1})=5^{12y_2+3}+1.$ From sum of cubes we have $$3^{x_1-1}=5^{8y_2+2}-5^{4y_2+1}+1.$$If $x_1\geq 3$ we have $5^{8y_2+2}-5^{4y_2+1}+1\equiv 0\pmod 9.$ Since $4y_2+1\equiv\{1,3,5\}\pmod 6$ we have $5^{8y_2+2}-5^{4y_2+1}+1\equiv3\pmod 9$ a contradiction. Thus $$x_1\leq2.$$For $x_1=2$ we have $81-5^{y}=64$ no solution. For $x_1=1$ we have $9-5^{y}=4$ and $\boxed{(x,y,z)=(2,1,2)}$ as the only solution.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Captain_Baran, Oct 14, 2023, 8:32 AM
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Nari_Tom
117 posts
#53
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After finding the relation like $5^p+1=2\cdot 3^b$, we should notice that power of 3's of LHS is increases much slower than the LHS. Which gives contradiction if we use LTE.
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ray66
34 posts
#54
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Taking mod 4 gives that $x$ is even, and taking mod 3 gives that y is odd. Let $x=2x'$. Then $5^y=(3^x-z)(3^x+z)$, and therefore $3^x=\frac{5^a+5^b}{2}$. $b \neq a$, so WLOG $a>b$. Then discover that $b=0$, otherwise the LHS has a factor of 5. Finish by Zsigmondy to get the only solution is $(2,1,2)$
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