Can You Solve ax+ay-xy=c for x and y Deterministically?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the equation ax + ay - xy = c (or equivalently a(x+y) - xy = c) for integer values of x and y, given known values of a and c. Participants explore various methods and conditions for finding solutions, including whether deterministic approaches exist beyond trial and error.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a deterministic method to solve the equation for integers x and y, given a and c.
  • Another participant suggests rearranging the equation to express x in terms of y or vice versa, but questions the ambiguity of the results.
  • Some participants emphasize that x and y must be positive even integers within specific ranges, with a being an odd integer and c being even.
  • A participant proposes choosing y as a function of a to ensure divisibility conditions are met for finding integer solutions.
  • There is a discussion about simplifying the equation and the implications of making certain denominators equal to 1 to ensure integer solutions.
  • One participant derives a rearranged form of the equation, showing that x can be expressed in terms of y, and discusses the conditions under which x remains an integer.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on the derivation of a specific equation related to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of certain methods and the conditions required for finding integer solutions. There is no consensus on a single deterministic approach, and multiple competing methods and conditions are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants introduce various conditions and assumptions regarding the nature of a, c, x, and y, which may limit the applicability of proposed methods. The discussion includes unresolved mathematical steps and dependencies on specific integer properties.

aravindsubramanian
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I need to solve the equations of type
ax+ay-xy=c (or) a(x+y)-xy=c

In this equation a & c are known.Whether is it possible to find x & y values using a deterministic method other than trial & error method


ex
127x+127y-xy=12732

I need to find x & y from this equation
 
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:confused: Do you mean to find solutions for x and y in integers or something?

Because otherwise you need a value of x and y and just rearrange to get:

[tex]x = \frac{c - ay}{a - y} \quad \text{or} \quad y = \frac{c - ax}{a - x}[/tex]
 
In this equation both x , y & c are integers only.

How we solve the equation by rearranging x or y by your method

Its results a ambiguous equation equation.We can't able to solve it.
 
Zurtex said:
:confused: Do you mean to find solutions for x and y in integers or something?

Because otherwise you need a value of x and y and just rearrange to get:

[tex]x = \frac{c - ay}{a - y} \quad \text{or} \quad y = \frac{c - ax}{a - x}[/tex]

Finding a solution in integers is easy if you first choose y=a-1 or a+1 then solve for x
 
Last edited:
In this type of equation

1.x and y are the possitve even no integers between (a-1) and
(a-1)/2.
2.a is always a odd no.
3.c is always a even no.
So Ramsey We can't use your method.Thanks a lot for your reply
 
aravindsubramanian said:
In this type of equation

1.x and y are the possitve even no integers between (a-1) and
(a-1)/2.
2.a is always a odd no.
3.c is always a even no.
So Ramsey We can't use your method.Thanks a lot for your reply
Hey, my solution solves the posted problem. Now you are adding further conditions!
I suggest that you take my method a step further and chose a even y dependent upon "a" such that a-y evenly divides c-ay
 
Last edited:
aravindsubramanian said:
So Ramsey We can't use your method.Thanks a lot for your reply
Did you notice what he did?
He simply made those denominators (in the equations given by Zurtex) as 1.
This automatically makes x and y integers if a and c are integers.

-- AI
 
Zurtex said:
:confused: Do you mean to find solutions for x and y in integers or something?

Because otherwise you need a value of x and y and just rearrange to get:

[tex]x = \frac{c - ay}{a - y} \quad \text{or} \quad y = \frac{c - ax}{a - x}[/tex]

This can be simplified to

[tex]x = a + \frac{c - a^2}{a - y}[/tex]

Thus if either |a-x| or |a-y| can't = 1, |a-y| must be a factor of |a^2-c| between 1 and |a^2-c|. Since in the posted example, the factors of [tex]127^2[/tex] -12732 are 43 and 79, the only other solution set is |x| and |y| equal 127-43 or 84 and 127-79 or 48 respectively.
 
Last edited:
ramsey2879 said:
This can be simplified to

[tex]x = a + \frac{c - a^2}{a - y}[/tex]

Thus if either |a-x| or |a-y| can't = 1, |a-y| must be a factor of |a^2-c| between 1 and |a^2-c|. Since in the posted example, the factors of [tex]127^2[/tex] -12732 are 43 and 79, the only other solution set is |x| and |y| equal 127-43 or 84 and 127-79 or 48 respectively.


how do u derive the equation


[tex]x = a + \frac{c - a^2}{a - y}[/tex]
 
  • #10
[tex]x = \frac{c - ay}{a - y} = \frac{a(a - y) - a^2 + c}{a - y} = a + \frac{c - a^2}{a - y}[/tex]
Since you want to have an integer x, and you have a as an integer, this rearrangement shows that x is an integer if (c - a^2) is divisible by a - y. You have c, a, you can easily calculate c - a^2, from there you can solve for y, and then x.
Viet Dao,
 
  • #11
Thank U very much

Thanks a lot for your reply
 

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