Is Fermat's Last Theorem Solvable for n=4 Using Pythagorean Triples?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mente oscura
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Theorem
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion presents a demonstration of Fermat's Last Theorem for n=4 using Pythagorean triples. The author establishes that if two Pythagorean triples share two common elements, it leads to a contradiction, thereby proving the theorem for n=4. Key formulas include A=x², B=y², C=z², and the traditional Pythagorean formulas A=M²-N², B=2MN, C=M²+N². The impossibility of having two Pythagorean triples with two common elements is rigorously shown through algebraic manipulation and properties of coprime integers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Pythagorean triples and their properties
  • Familiarity with Fermat's Last Theorem and its implications
  • Basic knowledge of algebraic manipulation and number theory
  • Concept of coprime integers and greatest common divisor (gcd)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Fermat's Last Theorem for n=3 and n=5
  • Explore the properties of coprime integers in number theory
  • Learn about algebraic proofs in number theory, particularly infinite descent
  • Investigate advanced topics in Pythagorean triples and their applications
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, number theorists, and students interested in algebraic proofs and the history of Fermat's Last Theorem.

mente oscura
Messages
167
Reaction score
0
Hello.

I share with you , a demonstration, which authorship is mine.

I do not know, if it exists, similar other one.Section A) demonstration Fermat’s Last Theorem, for n = 4.

Let \ A, \ B, \ C \ \in{\mathbb{N}} / A, \ C \ = \ odd; \ B \ = \ even \ / A^2+B^2=C^2

(*)We consider, as possible:

A=x^2

B=y^2

C=z^2

So:

x^4+y^4=z^4

According to the "traditional" formulas, to obtain "Pythagorean Triplet":

A=M^2-N^2

B=2MN

C=M^2+N^2

Properties:

1ª)

C+B=M^2+N^2+2MN=(M+N)^2

C+B=z^2+y^2=(M+N)^2. Por (*)

2ª)

C-B=M^2+N^2-2MN=(M-N)^2

C-B=z^2-y^2=(M-N)^2. Por (*)

Conclusion: we get two "Pythagorean triplet", in which two of its elements are equal.

z^2+y^2=(M+N)^2

z^2-y^2=(M-N)^2

Consideration: If we show that it is not possible that two "Pythagorean triplet", have two common elements, we will have shown the Fermat Last Theorem, for n = 4.

Section B) demonstration of the impossibility of that, two "Pythagorean triplet", have two common elements:

Let \ a, \ b, \ c \ \in{\mathbb{N}} / a, \ c \ = \ odd; \ b \ = \ even \ / a^2+b^2=c^2.(1)

Sean \ d, \ b, \ c \ \in{\mathbb{N}} / d, \ c \ = \ odd; \ b \ = \ even \ / c^2+b^2=d^2.(2)

Considerations:

1º) a, b, c, d, co-prime, so are primitive Pythagorean Triplets.

2º) “c” It is the odd small, which meets (1) y (2)Option 1º)

a^2+b^2=c^2

a=m^2-n^2

b=2mn

c=m^2+n^2Option 2º)

c^2+b^2=d^2

c=u^2-v^2

b=2uv

d=u^2+v^2

Course: "m" and "n" co-prime, same as "u" and "v".

By Option 1º) y Option 2º):

b=2mn=2uv

I'm going to break down "b" in four co-prime factors: "e", "f", "g" and "h", such that:

b=2efgh

And, we assign, for example:

m=ef

n=gh

u=eg

v=fh

Being: e=mcd(m,u), f=mcd(m,v), g=mcd(n,u), h=mcd(n,v)

Note: “mcd”= greatest common divisor.

Now, using the other element common to the Pythagorean Triplets: "c"

c=m^2+n^2=e^2f^2+g^2h^2

c=u^2-v^2=e^2g^2-f^2h^2

Therefore:

e^2f^2+g^2h^2= e^2g^2-f^2h^2

g^2h^2+f^2h^2= e^2g^2-e^2f^2

h^2(g^2+f^2)=e^2(g^2-f^2)

To be "h" and "e" co-prime, and, also, g^2+f^2 y g^2-f^2, (note that "g" or "f" should be "evenr"), it follows that:

h^2=g^2-f^2

e^2=g^2+f^2

Thus, we have other two Pythagorean Triplets with two common elements, but:

c \ > \ g

Since:

c=m^2+n^2>n^2=g^2h^2>g^2>g

It is not possible, since we had considered "c", as the odd minor who met the conditions (1) and (2).

Whereupon, demonstrated the Section B)" and, therefore, also the "Section A)", concluding the impossibility of:

x^4+y^4=z^4


Regards.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
I haven't checked through all of your proof, but yes, your approach is absolutely correct : the main step towards FLT4 is to prove that there can't be any 4-tuple $(a, b, c, d)$ satisfying $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ and $b^2 + c^2 = d^2$. The standard step actually is to rearrange and multiply both sides to get $(ad)^2 = c^4 - b^4$ and it can be shown by infinite descent that $x^4 - y^4 - z^2$ over $\Bbb C^3$ has no integer points over it.

EDIT : Hold it. I don't understand your step when you break up $b$ in 4 coprime factors $e, f, g$ and $h$. $b = 2mn = 2uv$ is absolutely correct and upto that I agree, and as a conclusion $mn = uv$, but I am not sure why you are assuming that $(m, n, u, v) = (ef, gh, eg, fh)$. How about $(m, n, u, v) = (pqr, xyz, pxy, qrz)$? In that case $m$ and $n$ are coprime, so are $u$ and $v$ and $m \cdot n = u \cdot v = xyzpqr$ also.

So my point is why break $b$ in $\boxed{4}$ parts? Why not $6$ or $8$ parts, like I did above?
 
Last edited:
mathbalarka said:
I haven't checked through all of your proof, but yes, your approach is absolutely correct : the main step towards FLT4 is to prove that there can't be any 4-tuple $(a, b, c, d)$ satisfying $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ and $b^2 + c^2 = d^2$. The standard step actually is to rearrange and multiply both sides to get $(ad)^2 = c^4 - b^4$ and it can be shown by infinite descent that $x^4 - y^4 - z^2$ over $\Bbb C^3$ has no integer points over it.

EDIT : Hold it. I don't understand your step when you break up $b$ in 4 coprime factors $e, f, g$ and $h$. $b = 2mn = 2uv$ is absolutely correct and upto that I agree, and as a conclusion $mn = uv$, but I am not sure why you are assuming that $(m, n, u, v) = (ef, gh, eg, fh)$. How about $(m, n, u, v) = (pqr, xyz, pxy, qrz)$? In that case $m$ and $n$ are coprime, so are $u$ and $v$ and $m \cdot n = u \cdot v = xyzpqr$ also.

So my point is why break $b$ in $\boxed{4}$ parts? Why not $6$ or $8$ parts, like I did above?

Hello.

where is the problem?

b=2mn=2uv=2xyzpqr

According to your example:

m=pqr

n=xyz

u=pxy

v=qrz

We operate:

c=m^2+n^2=p^2q^2r^2+x^2y^2z^2

c=u^2-v^2=p^2x^2y^2-q^2r^2z^2

p^2q^2r^2+x^2y^2z^2=p^2x^2y^2-q^2r^2z^2

q^2r^2(p^2+z^2)=x^2y^2(p^2-z^2)

q^2r^2=p^2-z^2

x^2y^2=p^2+z^2

Two Pythagorean Triplets with two common elements, but:

c \ > \ p

c=m^2+n^2=p^2q^2r^2+x^2y^2z^2

Therefore:

c \ > \ p^2 \ > \ p

Regards.
 
Excellent, you have made it clear that even $4$ or $8$ or higher factors would result the same. I'll move on to the next point :

mente oscura said:
e^2f^2+g^2h^2= e^2g^2-f^2h^2

g^2h^2+f^2h^2= e^2g^2-e^2f^2

h^2(g^2+f^2)=e^2(g^2-f^2)

To be "h" and "e" co-prime, and, also, g^2+f^2 y g^2-f^2, (note that "g" or "f" should be "evenr"), it follows that:

h^2=g^2-f^2

e^2=g^2+f^2

I don't understand this bit. $h$ and $e$ are coprime, yes, as $(m, n) = 1$, but why are $g^2 + f^2$ and $g^2 - f^2$ relatively coprime too? Please clarify.

[Note : If $ab = xy$, it is necessary condition to have $(a, x) = (b, y) = 1$ to conclude $a = y$ and $b = x$. Take for example, $5 \cdot 4 = 2 \cdot 10$, where $4$ and $10$ have nontrivial gcd]
 
mathbalarka said:
Excellent, you have made it clear that even $4$ or $8$ or higher factors would result the same. I'll move on to the next point :
I don't understand this bit. $h$ and $e$ are coprime, yes, as $(m, n) = 1$, but why are $g^2 + f^2$ and $g^2 - f^2$ relatively coprime too? Please clarify.

[Note : If $ab = xy$, it is necessary condition to have $(a, x) = (b, y) = 1$ to conclude $a = y$ and $b = x$. Take for example, $5 \cdot 4 = 2 \cdot 10$, where $4$ and $10$ have nontrivial gcd]

Hello.

I have considered that "g" or "f" is an even number. Only one.

You can choose, what is the pair, and see how the result is similar.

In this case, the show is trivial:

Let \ i \ , \ j \in{\mathbb{N}} \ / one \ is \ even \ and \ the \ other \ odd

If \ k |(i+j) \ and \ k |(i-j) \rightarrow{} k | (i+j+i-j) \rightarrow{}k|i

If \ k |(i+j) \ and \ k |(i-j) \rightarrow{} k | (i+j-i+j) \rightarrow{}k|j

Conclusion:

"i" and "j" they are not coprime.

Regards.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K