Prove a given number is an odd integer

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a statement related to the product of five positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ that satisfy the equation $pqrst=5(qrst+prst+pqst+pqrt+pqrs)$. The focus is on whether this product can be classified as an odd integer, with considerations of conditions that may affect the validity of the claim.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the product of the integers is an odd integer based on the given equation.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the claim, suggesting that additional conditions may be necessary for the result to hold true, and provides a counterexample with specific values for $p, q, r, s, t$ that yield an even product.
  • A later reply acknowledges a mistake in the problem statement, clarifying that the intention was to prove the number of such integers is an odd integer rather than the product itself.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to agree on the validity of the original claim regarding the product being an odd integer, and there are competing views regarding the necessary conditions for the statement to hold. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the original problem statement and the need for clarity regarding the conditions under which the integers are considered.

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Prove that the product of 5 positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ satisfying the equation $pqrst=5(qrst+prst+pqst+pqrt+pqrs)$ is an odd integer.
 
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anemone said:
Prove that the product of 5 positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ satisfying the equation $pqrst=5(qrst+prst+pqst+pqrt+pqrs)$ is an odd integer.
Should there be some extra condition here? If not, I think that the result is false.

Suppose that $p=q=r=20$ and $s=t=40$. Then $$\frac1p + \frac1q + \frac1r + \frac1s + \frac1t = \frac1{20} + \frac1{20} + \frac1{20} + \frac1{40} + \frac1{40} = \frac4{20} = \frac15.$$ Multiply out the fractions to see that $pqrst=5(qrst+prst+pqst+pqrt+pqrs)$. But each of the integers $p,q,r,s,t$ is even, and so is their product.
 
I am so so sorry for the late response, Opalg! I can explain:o...I was very busy celebrating Chinese New Year with my family and relatives in the past few days. Sorry...

I checked and argh! I typed the problem wrongly:mad:, I am deeply sorry about that...the problem should read as follow:

Prove that the number of 5 positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ satisfying the equation $pqrst=5(qrst+prst+pqst+pqrt+pqrs)$ is an odd integer.
 
Solution of other:

We rewrite the given equation as

$\dfrac{1}{p}+\dfrac{1}{q}+\dfrac{1}{r}+\dfrac{1}{s}+\dfrac{1}{t}=\dfrac{1}{5}$

The number of five positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ which satisfy the given relation and for which $p\ne q$ is even, because for if $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ is a solution, then so is $(q,\,p,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ which is distinct from $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$.

Similarly the number of five positive integers which satisfy the equation and for which $r\ne s$ is also even.

Hence, it sufices to count only those five positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ for which $p=q$ and $r=s$. Thus the equation reduces to

$\dfrac{2}{p}+\dfrac{2}{r}+\dfrac{1}{t}=\dfrac{1}{5}$

Here again $(p,\,p,\,r,\,r,\,t)$ for which $p\ne r$ is even.

Thus, it suffices to consider the equation

$\dfrac{4}{p}+\dfrac{1}{t}=\dfrac{1}{5}$

and show that the number of pairs $(p,\,t)$ satisfying this equation is odd.

This reduces to

$pt=20t+5p$

$(p-20)(t-5)=100$

Observe that

$100=1\times 100=2\times 50=4\times 25=5\times 20=10\times 10=20\times 5=25\times 4=50\times 2=100\times 1$

Note that no factorization of 100 as product of two negative numbers yield a positive pairs $(p,\,t)$.

Hence we get these 9 solutions. This proves that the total number of five positive integers $(p,\,q,\,r,\,s,\,t)$ satifying the given equation is odd.
 

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