Can Both Solutions of This Quadratic Equation Be Perfect Squares?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the problem of proving that both solutions of the quadratic equation $x^2-(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2+1)x+ab+bc+cd+da=0$ are perfect squares, given that one solution is an integer. The key conclusion is that if one solution is an integer, the other must also be an integer and both must be perfect squares. This is established through algebraic manipulation and properties of quadratic equations.

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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $a,\,b,\,c,\,d \in \mathbb{N}$ such that the equation $x^2-(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2+1)x+ab+bc+cd+da=0$ has an integer solution. Prove that the other solution is integer too and both solutions are perfect squares.

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No one answered POTW #484. However, you can see the suggested solution as follows:

Let $x_1 \le x_2$ are roots. Then we have $x_1+x_2=1+a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2$, therefore if one of the roots is an integer, so the second root is an integer too.

We also have $x_1x_2=ab+bc+cd+da$.

Since $a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2=ab+bc+cd+da+\dfrac{(a-b)^2+(b-c)^2+(c-d)^2+(d-a)^2}{2}$, we get $x_1=1$, $a=b=c=d$ and so $x_2=(2a)^2$.
 

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