Can You Solve the Integer System xz-2yt=3 and xt+yz=1?

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The forum discussion centers on solving the integer system defined by the equations \( xz - 2yt = 3 \) and \( xt + yz = 1 \). Members kaliprasad and Opalg successfully provided correct solutions to this problem. Their approaches highlight the use of algebraic manipulation and systematic testing of integer values to derive the solutions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration in problem-solving within mathematical contexts.

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anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Find all integer solutions of the system

$xz-2yt=3\\

xt+yz=1$

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Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution, which you can find below(Cool):

1. kaliprasad
2. Opalg

Solution from kaliprasad:
We are given
$xz-2yt=3\cdots(1)$
$xt+yz=1\cdots(2)$
square (1)and (2) to get
$x^2z^2 - 2xyzt + 4y^2t^2 = 9\cdots(3)$
$x^2t^2 -+ xyzt + y^2 x^2 = 2\cdots(4)$
from (3) and (4) we have
$x^2z^2 - 2xyzt + 4y^2t^2 + 2(x^2t^2 + xyzt + y^2 x^2) = 11$
or $x^2z^2 + 4y^2t^2 + 2 x^2y^2 + 2 y^2 x^2 = 11$
or $(x^2 + 2 t^2) (z^2 + 2y^2) = 11$
as LHS is product of 2 positive terms and RHS is 11 prime so we have 2 possibilities
$x^2 + 2 t^2 = 1$
$z^2 + 2y^2 = 11$
which gives the solution $x = \pm 1, t= 0, z = \pm 3, y = \pm 1$
Or
$x^2 + 2 t^2 = 11$
$z^2 + 2y^2 = 1$
which gives the solution $x = \pm 3, t= \pm 1, z = \pm 1, y = 0$
The above is based on the fact that $ 11 = 3^2 + 2 * 1^2$ and $1 = 1^2 + 2 * 0^2$
By checking the cases one by one we get the solution sets
$(x,y,z,t) = (1,0,3,1)$ or $(3,1,1,0)$ or $(-1,0,-3,-1)$ or $(-3,-1,-1,0)$

Solution from Opalg:
Remark: This solution uses university-level algebra so if you are a high school student, this might be beyond your knowledge to comprehend it.(Nod)

The Euclidean domain $\Bbb{Z}[\sqrt{-2}] = \{a+b\sqrt{-2}: a,b\in\Bbb{Z}\}$ has a multiplicative norm given by $N\bigl(a+b\sqrt{-2}\bigr) = a^2 + 2b^2$.

The given problem can be stated in the form $\bigl(x + y\sqrt{-2}\bigr) \bigl(z + t\sqrt{-2}\bigr) = 3 + \sqrt{-2}$. But $N\bigl(3+\sqrt{-2}\bigr) = 11$, which is a prime in $\Bbb{Z}$. It follows that the only factors of $3 + \sqrt{-2}$ are itself and $1$, and their negatives.Therefore there are four solutions to the problem, namely those in this table: $$\begin{array}{c|c|cccc}x + y\sqrt{-2} & z + t\sqrt{-2} &x&y&z&t \\ \hline 3 + \sqrt{-2} & 1 & 3&1&1&0 \\ 1 & 3 + \sqrt{-2} & 1&0&3&1 \\ -3 - \sqrt{-2} & -1 & -3&-1&-1&0 \\ -1 & -3 - \sqrt{-2} & -1&0&-3&-1 \end{array}.$$
 

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