Let p1 and q1 be integers such that the equation x2+p1x+q1=0 has two integer solutions. For all n∈N we define the numbers pn+1 and qn+1 by the formulas pn+1=pn+1,qn+1=qn+21pn. Prove that there exists an infinite number of positive integers n such that the equation x2+pnx+qn=0 has two integer solutions.
Solution
Let Dn be a discriminant of quadratic equation x2+pnx+qn=0, for each n∈N, i.e. Dn=pn2−4qn. By assumption we conclude that D1 is a square of an integer. Further, we have: Dn+1=pn+12−4qn+1=(pn+1)2−4(qn+21pn)=pn2−4qn+1=Dn+1. Let's suppose that the equation x2+pnx+qn=0 has two integer solutions for some n. Then Dn=k2 for some integer k, hence, we have: Dn+2k+1=Dn+2k+1=k2+2k+1=(k+1)2. Moreover, since 21(−pn+Dn) and 21(−pn−Dn) are integers, we conclude that pn and Dn are of the same parity. But, pn+2k+1≡pn+2k+1≡pn+1≡Dn+1≡Dn+2k+1≡Dn+2k+1(mod2) so the equation x2+pn+2k+1x+qn+2k+1=0 also has two integer solutions. Hence, we proved that there are infinitely many integers n for which the equation x2+pnx+qn=0 has two integer solutions.
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