MHB Is it possible for $\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}>\frac{1}{mn}$ to have solutions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Albert1
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around proving that there are no natural number solutions \( m, n \) such that \( \sqrt{7} - \frac{m}{n} > \frac{1}{mn} \) while also ensuring \( \sqrt{7} - \frac{m}{n} > 0 \). It is established that if such \( m, n \) exist, then certain integer conditions must hold, leading to contradictions based on modular arithmetic. Specifically, it is shown that \( 7n^2 - m^2 \) cannot satisfy the required conditions for integers \( m \) and \( n \) both being odd. Consequently, the conclusion is reached that if \( \sqrt{7} - \frac{m}{n} > 0 \), it must also be greater than \( \frac{1}{mn} \), confirming the absence of valid solutions.
Albert1
Messages
1,221
Reaction score
0
$m,n\in N$ , and $\sqrt 7 - \dfrac {m}{n}>0$
prove :
$\sqrt 7 - \dfrac {m}{n}>\dfrac {1}{m\times n}$
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Albert said:
$m,n\in N$ , and $\sqrt 7 - \dfrac {m}{n}>0$
prove :
$\sqrt 7 - \dfrac {m}{n}>\dfrac {1}{m\times n}$
[sp]Suppose that there exist $m,n$ such that $0 < \sqrt7 - \frac mn < \frac1{mn}$. Then $\frac mn < \sqrt7 < \frac{m^2+1}{mn}$, and (after squaring and multiplying through by $m^2n^2$) $$ m^4 < 7m^2n^2 < (m^2+1)^2 = m^4 + 2m^2 + 1,$$ $$0 < m^2(7n^2-m^2) < 2m^2+1,$$ $$ 0 < 7n^2 - m^2 < 2 + \tfrac1{m^2}.$$ Since $7n^2 - m^2$ is an integer, it must therefore be $1$ or $2$. But the square of an integer is congruent to $0$ or $1\pmod4$, so $7n^2-m^2 = 1\pmod4$ can never occur; and the only possible solution to $7n^2-m^2 = 2\pmod4$ is if $m$ and $n$ are both odd. But the square of an odd number is congruent to $1\pmod8$. So if $m$ and $n$ are both odd then $7n^2-m^2 = 6\ne2\pmod8$. Therefore there are no solutions. It follows that if $\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}$ is greater than $0$ then it must be greater than $\frac1{mn}.$

[Notice that if you drop the condition $\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}>0$ then it is possible to have $\Bigl|\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}\Bigr| < \frac1{mn}.$ For example, if $m=8$ and $n=3$ then $\Bigl|\sqrt 7 - \frac83\Bigr| \approx 0.0209 < \frac1{24} \approx 0.0417.$ But in that case, $\sqrt 7 - \frac 83$ is negative.][/sp]
 
Opalg said:
[sp]Suppose that there exist $m,n$ such that $0 < \sqrt7 - \frac mn < \frac1{mn}$. Then $\frac mn < \sqrt7 < \frac{m^2+1}{mn}$, and (after squaring and multiplying through by $m^2n^2$) $$ m^4 < 7m^2n^2 < (m^2+1)^2 = m^4 + 2m^2 + 1,$$ $$0 < m^2(7n^2-m^2) < 2m^2+1,$$ $$ 0 < 7n^2 - m^2 < 2 + \tfrac1{m^2}.$$ Since $7n^2 - m^2$ is an integer, it must therefore be $1$ or $2$. But the square of an integer is congruent to $0$ or $1\pmod4$, so $7n^2-m^2 = 1\pmod4$ can never occur; and the only possible solution to $7n^2-m^2 = 2\pmod4$ is if $m$ and $n$ are both odd. But the square of an odd number is congruent to $1\pmod8$. So if $m$ and $n$ are both odd then $7n^2-m^2 = 6\ne2\pmod8$. Therefore there are no solutions. It follows that if $\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}$ is greater than $0$ then it must be greater than $\frac1{mn}.$

[Notice that if you drop the condition $\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}>0$ then it is possible to have $\Bigl|\sqrt 7 - \frac {m}{n}\Bigr| < \frac1{mn}.$ For example, if $m=8$ and $n=3$ then $\Bigl|\sqrt 7 - \frac83\Bigr| \approx 0.0209 < \frac1{24} \approx 0.0417.$ But in that case, $\sqrt 7 - \frac 83$ is negative.][/sp]
nice solution !
 
Seemingly by some mathematical coincidence, a hexagon of sides 2,2,7,7, 11, and 11 can be inscribed in a circle of radius 7. The other day I saw a math problem on line, which they said came from a Polish Olympiad, where you compute the length x of the 3rd side which is the same as the radius, so that the sides of length 2,x, and 11 are inscribed on the arc of a semi-circle. The law of cosines applied twice gives the answer for x of exactly 7, but the arithmetic is so complex that the...
Back
Top