Determine the number of positive integers $n$ for which $(n+15)(n+2010)$ is a perfect square.
Problem
Source: Junior Turkish Mathematical Olympiad 2010 Problem 2
Tags: number theory proposed, number theory
professordad
24.07.2011 17:56
Note that $(n + 15)(n + 2010)$ is a perfect square iff $4(n + 15)(n + 2010)$ is a perfect square, or $(2n + 30)(2n + 4020)$ is a perfect square. Let $2n + 2025 = a$, and the perfect square be $b^2$; then $(a - 1995)(a + 1995) = b^2$. Hence, $(a + b)(a - b) = 1995^2$, or $3^2 \cdot 5^2 \cdot 7^2 \cdot 19^2$. This has $81$ factors :O
Note that $a + b = a - b = 1995$ cannot be a solution, otherwise $b = 0$. Also, $a > 2025$ beacuse $2n + 2025 = a$. The only pair that does not satisfy this is $(1805,2205)$. Finally, $a + b > a - b$. So we take $81 - 3$, or $78$, and divide by $2$ to get $\boxed{39}$ solutions.
P.S. already discussed here except the OP mixed up "number of solutions" with "find all solutions"
IstekOlympiadTeam
06.04.2015 18:22
professordad wrote:
Note that $(n + 15)(n + 2010)$ is a perfect square iff $4(n + 15)(n + 2010)$ is a perfect square, or $(2n + 30)(2n + 4020)$ is a perfect square. Let $2n + 2025 = a$, and the perfect square be $b^2$; then $(a - 1995)(a + 1995) = b^2$. Hence, $(a + b)(a - b) = 1995^2$, or $3^2 \cdot 5^2 \cdot 7^2 \cdot 19^2$. This has $81$ factors :O
Note that $a + b = a - b = 1995$ cannot be a solution, otherwise $b = 0$. Also, $a > 2025$ beacuse $2n + 2025 = a$. The only pair that does not satisfy this is $(1805,2205)$. Finally, $a + b > a - b$. So we take $81 - 3$, or $78$, and divide by $2$ to get $\boxed{39}$ solutions.
P.S. already discussed here except the OP mixed up "number of solutions" with "find all solutions" Perfect solution thanks
neverlose
21.06.2015 16:25
crazyfehmy wrote: Determine the number of positive integers $n$ for which $(n+15)(n+2010)$ is a perfect square. Very boring problem. Let $d = gcd(n+15,n+2010) = gcd(n + 15,1995)$ and $a^2d = n+15$,$b^2d = n + 2010$ so $(a - b)(a + b) = \frac{1995}{d}$.