{Number Theory} Smallest integer solution

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the smallest positive integer solution for x in the equation √(x + 2√2015) = √y + √z. Participants note that since 2√2015 is irrational, it must be canceled by another irrational component in the equation. Through algebraic manipulation, the correct value of x is determined to be 96. There is also a suggestion to rigorously show that 2015yz must be a perfect square to support the solution. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between the rational and irrational parts of the equation.
youngstudent16
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Homework Statement


Let ##x,y,z## be positive integers such that ##\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{2015}}=\sqrt{y}+\sqrt{z}## find the smallest possible value of ##x##

Homework Equations


Not even sure what to ask I'm trying to learn number theory doing problems and look up information by doing the problems. [/B]

The Attempt at a Solution



The only thing I have done so far is get it set equal to ##x## so that I could make do some algebra and the answer would pop up.
##x=2\sqrt{yz}+y+z-2\sqrt{2015}##

Thanks for any help.
 
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youngstudent16 said:

Homework Statement


Let ##x,y,z## be positive integers such that ##\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{2015}}=\sqrt{y}+\sqrt{z}## find the smallest possible value of ##x##

Homework Equations


Not even sure what to ask I'm trying to learn number theory doing problems and look up information by doing the problems. [/B]

The Attempt at a Solution



The only thing I have done so far is get it set equal to ##x## so that I could make do some algebra and the answer would pop up.
##x=2\sqrt{yz}+y+z-2\sqrt{2015}##

Thanks for any help.

Should be kind of clear where to go from there. ##x,y,z## are integers. ##2\sqrt{2015}## is irrational. Something else irrational must cancel it. What must it be?
 
Dick said:
Should be kind of clear where to go from there. ##x,y,z## are integers. ##2\sqrt{2015}## is irrational. Something else irrational must cancel it. What must it be?
But if it cancels it out wouldn't that make ##x=0## which I can't have?
 
youngstudent16 said:
But if it cancels it out wouldn't that make ##x=0## which I can't have?

There are only two things with can be irrational in your expression. What the other one? Equate them.
 
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Dick said:
There are only two things with can be irrational in your expression. What the other one? Equate them.
Thank you I'm little tired so I just didn't understand what you said the first time even though it was clear. I got the correct answer now with that hint which is ##96##
 
youngstudent16 said:
Thank you I'm little tired so I just didn't understand what you said the first time even though it was clear. I got the correct answer now with that hint which is ##96##

You're welcome. But my argument why is pretty dodgy. If you want to be more rigorous, can you show that ##2015yz## must be a perfect square? What would that imply?
 
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I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
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