What is the sum of all possible values of a and b between 0 and 100?

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The discussion explores the sum of all possible values of positive integers a and b between 0 and 100, given the equation a^(-2) + b^(-2) = c^(-2) and c = (√a + √b)². The calculations reveal that for specific integer relationships, a can be expressed as multiples of 20, leading to a total of 300 for a. For b, calculated as multiples of 15, the total is 315. Additional integer combinations yield a value of 65 for another scenario. Ultimately, the total sum of all possible values of a and b is determined to be 680.
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This question goes:

a, b and c are positive integrers.

What is the sum of all possible values of a and b between 0 and 100 if

a^(-2) + b^(-2)=c^(-2)
 
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c = (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b})^2

a \in [0, 100] \rightarrow \sqrt{a} \in [0, 10]

so the sum of all values of a is:

\sum_{x=1}^{10}{x^2}

the same for b.
 
gerben said:
c = (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b})^2
I don't understand...
a ^ {-2} = \frac{1}{a ^ 2}, and that's not a ^ {-2} = \sqrt{a}
Viet Dao,
 
Last edited:
I've solved it...

1/c^2=1/b^2 + 1/a^2
=(a^2+ b^2)/(ab)^2
c^2=ab^2/(a^2+ b^2)
c=ab/(a^2+ b^2)^1/2

Since a^2+ b^2 is an integrer, it's root is either another integrer or irrational. Thus in order for c to be an integrer, (a^2+ b^2)^1/2 must be an integrer.
Listing possible result;

3^2 + 4^2 = 5^2
5^2 + 12^2 = 13^2
20^2 + 21^2 = 29^2
...

Then considering the first possibility, a=4x and b=3x

c=12x^2/5x
=12x/5

We conclude that x must be a factor of 5. Since a=4x, a is multiple of 20. Adding up all multiples of 20 between 0 and 100

20 + 40 + 60 + 80 + 100=300

Now for b, b=3x

15 + 30 + 45 + 60 + 75 + 90=315

Now the second possibility,

c=60x/13

a=5x, b=12x

x must be a multiple of 13

5(13)=65, and 12(13)>100.

The next possibility, we knoe that a=20x and b=21x, and x has to be a factor of 29. Since 21(29)>20(29)>100, then there is no further solution.

300 + 315 + 65=680.

So the awnser is 680.
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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