2006 Cyprus Seniors Provincial/2nd grade/Problem 4

Problem

Find all integers pairs (x,y) that verify at the same time the inequalities $x^2\leq\frac{y^2+2x-1}{2}$ and $y^2\leq\frac{x^2-2y-1}{2}$.


Solution

The inequality $x^2\leq\frac{y^2+2x-1}{2}$ becomes $2x^2\leq y^2+2x-1$ and the inequality $y^2\leq\frac{x^2-2y-1}{2}$ becomes $2y^2\leq x^2-2y-1$

By adding the inequalities we have $2x^2+2y^2 \leq y^2+2x-1+x^2-2y-1$

$x^2-2x+1+2y^2+2y+1 \leq 0$

$(x-1)^2+(y+1)^2 \leq 0$

But always $(x-1)^2+(y+1)^2 \geq 0$

So $(x-1)^2+(y+1)^2 = 0$

And the only integer pair is (1,-1)



See also