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Perfect Squares

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There has been a huge surge in the number of questions about perfect squares, in almost all the exams. The basic trick to any such question is assuming the number as a perfect square of an integer k and then using techniques of completion of square and then the formula of (a^2-b^2) and solving using divisibility theory

Example I: Find all natural n such that n(n+16) is a perfect square

Step 1: n(n+16)=k^2

Step 2: (n^2+2.8.n+8^2)-8^2=k^2

Step 3: (n+8+k)(n+8-k)=64

see now lhs and rhs both are integers then both of (n+8-k) and (n+8+k) are divisors of 64. But note that we add the two equations we will get 2n+16, so the sum of two divisors should be even hence both divisors even or both odd

so n+8+k=32,16,8,4,2 and n+8-k=2,4,8,16,32

but see this n is positive hence k is positive, thus n+8+k >n+8-k
so only two options

and solving we get 2n+16=34,20
so n=9,2

Note : The source of this problem is Pomona Wisconsin mathematics talent search exam!


Practice problem!!
Find the sum of all such positive integers m's such that m^2+25m+19 is a perfect square

Now we will extend the method to other kinds of problems
Basically what we used in the above problem is difference of square method

lets take an example
x^6=y^2+127, find the no of pairs of positive integers (x,y)


first step in this problem is recognizing that 127 is a prime
then we move to
(x^3+y)(x^3-y)=127
so clearly 2x^3=128
x = 4 and y = 63
so one pair (4,63)

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  1. bhumi14 saidWed, 21 Jan 2009 11:25:43 -0000 ( Link )

    pls make it more understandable!

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  2. igreen saidWed, 21 Jan 2009 20:53:49 -0000 ( Link )

    it should be much more self explanatory

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  3. bhumi14 saidWed, 28 Jan 2009 04:13:53 -0000 ( Link )

    m nt able to get dis lesson.

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  4. Sureshbala saidFri, 30 Jan 2009 13:08:52 -0000 ( Link )

    Dear Learnhubbers,

    This lesson is created to quickly revise the advanced concepts keeping in mind CAT 2008 aspirants. A new feature that contains a set of informative lessons from basics to advanced concepts for CAT 2009 aspirants is on the way….Just stay tuned…

    Regards

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  5. karunreddy saidThu, 07 May 2009 09:58:28 -0000 ( Link )

    sorry sir we are unable to understand this. we got confusion with some steps

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  6. Sureshbala saidFri, 15 May 2009 12:02:05 -0000 ( Link )

    Folks, don’t worry…I will try to come up with another lesson and link this up to that lesson so that you will get everything right from the basics..

    Regards

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  7. aasthamalhotra1 saidFri, 12 Jun 2009 07:53:11 -0000 ( Link )

    ....cat orientd..totlly??

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  8. daisy12 saidSun, 21 Jun 2009 17:56:15 -0000 ( Link )

    sir cud u plsgiv me d ans of practise prblm i cant cnvrt dat qstnn 2 d frmt u said pls help

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  9. granget saidThu, 06 Aug 2009 19:21:26 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi I think m²+25m+19=k² m²+25m×2×½+19+625¼-625¼-k²=0 ( m+25½+k)(m+25½-k)=549¼=3×3×61×¼ (4m+50+4k)(4m+50-4k)=3×3×61 Both divisors r odd.(4m+50+4k)=61,9,3 (4m+50-4k)=3,9,61 4m+50+4k>4m+50-4k So only one case. 8m+100=61+9=70 But then m is not positive. Sureshbala I couldn’t go further.plz help.

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  10. jaybmehta saidWed, 26 Aug 2009 14:16:06 -0000 ( Link )

    the last question is a best one…

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  11. prmdsnh saidFri, 18 Sep 2009 06:19:55 -0000 ( Link )

    May I know the answer of practice problem? I have got 139. It will be appreciable if answer is also provided with Practice problems… Thanks for the good work..

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  12. prmdsnh saidFri, 18 Sep 2009 06:24:30 -0000 ( Link )

    Excellent work.. learning seems fun here.. Thanks a lot.

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  13. suchi999 saidSun, 27 Sep 2009 09:09:17 -0000 ( Link )

    can u brief me in a better method than this

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