Prove the given equation has no solution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the equation $\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{xy}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}=1$ and the claim that it has no solutions for natural numbers $x$ and $y$. Participants are tasked with proving this assertion.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Several participants reiterate the equation and the claim that it has no solutions, emphasizing the need for a proof.
  • One participant expresses approval of a proof presented by another, indicating that there may be differing levels of agreement on the validity of the proof.
  • A participant suggests that a critical part of the proof may have been overlooked, hinting at potential gaps or assumptions in the argumentation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the equation has no solutions, as some express confidence in the proof while others suggest that important aspects may have been missed.

Contextual Notes

There may be missing assumptions or definitions regarding the natural numbers involved, and the proof's completeness is questioned without resolving these issues.

Albert1
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$x,y\in N$
prove the equation :$\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{xy}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}=1$
has no solution
 
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Hello, Albert!

$x,y\in N$
Prove the equation: $\,\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{xy}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}=1\,$ has no solution.
Multiply by $x^2y^2\!:\;y^2 +xy + x^2 \:=\:x^2y^2$

Add $xy$ to both sides: $\:x^2 + 2xy + y^2 \:=\:x^2y^2+xy$

Factor: $\: (x+y)^2 \;=\;xy(xy+1)$

The left side is a square of an integer.
The right side is the product of two consecutive integers.

This is clearly impossible.
 
soroban said:
Hello, Albert!
Multiply by $x^2y^2\!:\;y^2 +xy + x^2 \:=\:x^2y^2$

Add $xy$ to both sides: $\:x^2 + 2xy + y^2 \:=\:x^2y^2+xy$

Factor: $\: (x+y)^2 \;=\;xy(xy+1)$

The left side is a square of an integer.
The right side is the product of two consecutive integers.

This is clearly impossible.
nice proof !
 
Albert said:
$x,y\in N$
prove the equation :$\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{xy}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}=1---(1)$
has no solution
let $x>y>0$ then
$1=\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{xy}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}<\dfrac{1}{y^2}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}=\dfrac {3}{y^2}$
$\therefore y^2<3 , or \,\, y=1$, put y=1 to (1)
we get :
$0=\dfrac {1}{x^2}+\dfrac {1}{x}$ it is impossible (since $x,y\in N$)
if $y>x>0$, the proof is the same
 
Last edited:
Albert said:
let $x>y>0$ then
$1=\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{xy}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}<\dfrac{1}{y^2}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}+\dfrac{1}{y^2}=\dfrac {3}{y^2}$
$\therefore y^2<3 , or \,\, y=1$, put y=1 to (1)
we get :
$0=\dfrac {1}{x^2}+\dfrac {1}{x}$ it is impossible (since $x,y\in N$)
if $y>x>0$, the proof is the same

the part that was missed was

$x= y$
which gives
$1= \frac{1}{x^2} +\frac{1}{xy} + \frac{1}{y^2}= \frac{3}{x^2} $

or
$x^2 = 3$
which is impossible as it gives irrational x
so x = y is not possible
 

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