Difference between revisions of "2007 JBMO Problems/Problem 4"
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==Problem 4== | ==Problem 4== | ||
− | Prove that if <math> p</math> is a prime number, then <math> 7p+3^{p}-4</math> is not a perfect square. | + | Prove that if <math>p</math> is a prime number, then <math>7p+3^{p}-4</math> is not a perfect square. |
+ | |||
==Solution== | ==Solution== | ||
− | + | By Fermat's Little Theorem, <math>7p+3^p-4\equiv3-4\equiv-1\mod p</math>. By quadratic residues, this is true if and only if <math>p\equiv1\mod4</math>, except for <math>p=2</math> (which doesn't work). Then, <math>7p+3^p-4\equiv3+3-4=2\mod4</math>, but this implies <math>v_2(7p+3^{p}-4)</math> is odd, so <math>7p+3^{p}-4</math> cannot be a perfect square. | |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
− | {{JBMO box|year=2007|num-b=3|after=Last Problem}} | + | {{JBMO box|year=2007|num-b=3|after=Last Problem|five=}} |
[[Category:Intermediate Number Theory Problems]] | [[Category:Intermediate Number Theory Problems]] |
Latest revision as of 13:33, 16 April 2024
Problem 4
Prove that if is a prime number, then is not a perfect square.
Solution
By Fermat's Little Theorem, . By quadratic residues, this is true if and only if , except for (which doesn't work). Then, , but this implies is odd, so cannot be a perfect square.
See also
2007 JBMO (Problems • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 3 |
Followed by Last Problem | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 | ||
All JBMO Problems and Solutions |