Max & Min of xy for $x^2-xy+2y^2=116$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the maximum and minimum values of the product \(xy\) for integer solutions of the equation \(x^2 - xy + 2y^2 = 116\). Participants explore various methods, including algebraic manipulations and graphical approaches, to analyze the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the maximum integer value of \(xy\) is at most 63 and the minimum is at least -30, with specific pairs \((9,7)\) and \((6,-5)\) achieving these values.
  • Others suggest rewriting the equation in terms of \(w = xy\) and using computational tools like Wolfram to find integer solutions, confirming the same maximum and minimum values.
  • One participant discusses the necessity of ensuring the discriminant of the rearranged equation is non-negative, leading to bounds on \(y\) between -8 and 8.
  • Another participant notes that the integer solutions can be derived by substituting integer values for \(y\) and solving for \(x\), leading to the same range for \(xy\).
  • There is a mention of the need for a more analytical solution, with some participants expressing interest in exploring this further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the maximum and minimum values of \(xy\) being 63 and -30, respectively. However, the methods to derive these values and the completeness of the solutions remain points of exploration and discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight that the solutions depend on the integer nature of \(x\) and \(y\), and the analysis involves ensuring that the discriminant is a perfect square. There are also unresolved aspects regarding the completeness of the integer solutions derived from the equation.

Albert1
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x,y are integers and

$x^2-xy+2y^2=116$

find max(xy) and min(xy)
 
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$$\begin{align*}
x^2-xy+2y^2&=116\\
x^2-2\sqrt{2}xy+(\sqrt{2}y)^2+2\sqrt{2}xy-xy&=116\\
(x-\sqrt{2}y)^2&=116+(1-2\sqrt{2})xy\\
\end{align*}$$

since, $(x-\sqrt{2}y)^2\geq 0$,
$$\begin{align*}
116+(1-2\sqrt 2)xy &\geq 0\\
(2\sqrt 2-1)xy &\leq 116\\
xy &\leq \frac{116}{2\sqrt 2 -1} \qquad (2\sqrt 2-1 > 0)
\end{align*}$$

also,
$$\begin{align*}
x^2-xy+2y^2&=116\\
x^2+2\sqrt{2}xy+(\sqrt{2}y)^2-2\sqrt{2}xy-xy&=116\\
(x+\sqrt{2}y)^2&=116+(1+2\sqrt{2})xy\\
\end{align*}$$

with, $(x+\sqrt{2}y)^2\geq 0$,

$$\begin{align*}
116+(1+2\sqrt 2)xy &\geq 0\\
(2\sqrt 2+1)xy &\geq -116\\
xy &\geq \frac{-116}{2\sqrt 2 +1}
\end{align*}$$

eventually we have,

$$\frac{-116}{2\sqrt 2 +1} \leq xy \leq \frac{116}{2\sqrt 2 -1}$$

$$-30.36 \leq xy \leq 63.73$$

but this is for $x,y \in R$ I cannot figure out it for integers
 
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Continuing BAdhi's analysis, the max integer value is at most 63, and the min integer value is at least -30. But you can achieve each of those values, by taking $(x,y) = (9,7)$ or $(-9,-7)$ for the max, and $(x,y) = (6,-5)$ or $(-6,5)$ for the min.

I found those points by graphing, using MHB's Desmos grapher (click on it to see the detail):
[graph]35ihvotanp[/graph]​
It would be interesting to see a more analytical solution.​
 
I rewrote the problem with $w=xy \Rightarrow y=\frac w x$ to get:

$x^2-w+2\frac {w^2} {x^2}=116$

Feeding it to Wolfram gives a nice graph and all 12 integer solutions, with the minimum of -30 and the maximum of 63.

Likewise, it would be nice to see a more analytical solution.
 
I like Serena said:
I rewrote the problem with $w=xy \Rightarrow y=\frac w x$ to get:

$x^2-w+2\frac {w^2} {x^2}=116$

Feeding it to Wolfram gives a nice graph and all 12 integer solutions, with the minimum of -30 and the maximum of 63.

Likewise, it would be nice to see a more analytical solution.

yes, it could be solved to use a more analytical solution,try it ! it is not hard !

I will give the solution soon
 
$ x^2-xy+2y^2=116$
we rerrange it and get
$x^2-xy+2y^2-116=0----(1)$
solving for x ,since x,y are integers the determinant:
$7y^2-464 \leq 0$
ant it must be a perfect square
$ \therefore -8 \leq y\leq 8$
furthermore if we replace x , y with -x and -y the equation remain unchanged
so we only have to put y=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 to
(1) and get the corresponding x
by taking for (x,y)=(9,7) or (-9,-7) the max(xy)=63
(x,y)=(6,-5) or (-6,5) the min(xy)=-30
 
Since $$x^2-xy+2y^2-116=0$$ are defined over the real integers, we know that the discriminant of the equation (if we solve it for x) will be greater than or equal to zero.

Thus,

$$(-y)^2-4(1)(2y^2-116) \ge 0$$

$$464-7y^2 \ge 0$$

$$(\sqrt{464}+\sqrt{7}y)(\sqrt{464}-\sqrt{7}y) \ge 0$$ $$\rightarrow {-8.1416 \le y \le 8.1416} $$

But y will be an integer, thus, we know that $${-8 \le y \le 8} $$ must be true.

From the given equation $$x^2-xy+2y^2=116$$

We know that we can manipulate the RHS of the equation by doing the following:
$$x^2-xy+2y^2=114+2(1)$$ which implies $$y=\pm1$$

This gives $$x^2-x(\pm 1)=114$$ but this leads to non-integer solutions for x.

We repeat the process from $$y=2$$ to $$y=8$$ (we will cover the negative values of y as well because of the fact that $$y^2=1, 4, 9, 14, 25, 36, 49, 64$$ would cover the y values from $$y=\pm1, \pm2, \pm3, \pm4, \pm5, \pm6, \pm7, \pm8$$) and we find that all of the integer solutions to the equations are $$(6, -5), (-11, -5), (11, 5), (-6, 5), (2, -7), (-9, -7), (9, 7), (-2, 7), (-2, -8), (-6, -8), (6, 8), $$ and $$(2, 8)$$ which gives us the range of $$xy$$ as $$-30 \le xy \le 63$$.

(Edit:I now notice that this solution is similar to that posted by Albert, which I did not see until after making my post...I am sorry!)
 
Last edited:

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