Difference between revisions of "2008 OIM Problems/Problem 4"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
{{solution}}
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Clearly <math>21|2008!</math>, so <math>21|x^{2008}</math> as well. Then <math>21|x</math>, so let <math>x=21a</math> for some positive <math>a</math>. Our equation would become:
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<cmath>21^{2008}a^{2008}+2008!=21^y</cmath>
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But notice that
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<cmath>21^y=21^{2008}a^{2008}+2008!>21^{2008}a^{2008}\ge 21^{2008}</cmath>
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implying that <math>y>2008</math>. This will be used later.
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Next, we note that by [[Legendre's Formula]], there are <math>331</math> powers of <math>7</math> and <math>1000</math> powers of <math>3</math> in the prime representation of <math>2008!</math>. Then we can let <math>2008!=3^{1000}7^{331}b</math> for some positive integer <math>b</math> that is not divisible by <math>3</math> or <math>7</math>. Substituting:
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<cmath>21^{2008}a^{2008}+3^{1000}7^{331}b=21^y</cmath>
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<cmath>\Rightarrow 21^{2008}a^{2008}+3^{669}21^{331}b=21^y</cmath>
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<cmath>\Rightarrow 21^{1677}a^{2008}+3^{669}b=21^{y-331}</cmath>
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<cmath>\Rightarrow 3^{669}b=21^{y-331}-21^{1677}a^{2008}</cmath>
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Since <math>y>2008>331</math>, the right-hand side is divisible by <math>7</math>. However, the left-hand side is not, which is not possible; thus there are no positive integer solutions to the equation.
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~ [https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/User:Eevee9406 eevee9406]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
[[OIM Problems and Solutions]]
 
[[OIM Problems and Solutions]]

Latest revision as of 22:20, 25 March 2025

Problem

Prove that there are no positive integers $x$ and $y$ such that

\[x^{2008}+2008!=21^y\]

~translated into English by Tomas Diaz. ~orders@tomasdiaz.com

Solution

Clearly $21|2008!$, so $21|x^{2008}$ as well. Then $21|x$, so let $x=21a$ for some positive $a$. Our equation would become: \[21^{2008}a^{2008}+2008!=21^y\] But notice that \[21^y=21^{2008}a^{2008}+2008!>21^{2008}a^{2008}\ge 21^{2008}\] implying that $y>2008$. This will be used later.

Next, we note that by Legendre's Formula, there are $331$ powers of $7$ and $1000$ powers of $3$ in the prime representation of $2008!$. Then we can let $2008!=3^{1000}7^{331}b$ for some positive integer $b$ that is not divisible by $3$ or $7$. Substituting: \[21^{2008}a^{2008}+3^{1000}7^{331}b=21^y\] \[\Rightarrow 21^{2008}a^{2008}+3^{669}21^{331}b=21^y\] \[\Rightarrow 21^{1677}a^{2008}+3^{669}b=21^{y-331}\] \[\Rightarrow 3^{669}b=21^{y-331}-21^{1677}a^{2008}\] Since $y>2008>331$, the right-hand side is divisible by $7$. However, the left-hand side is not, which is not possible; thus there are no positive integer solutions to the equation.

~ eevee9406

See also

OIM Problems and Solutions