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Olympiad workbook
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Olympiad workbook
Subject
IOQM
Chapter
Basics of Mathematics

Olympiad workbook · IOQM · Basics of Mathematics

Let a and b natural numbers such that 2 a-b, a-2 b and a+b are all...

Let aa and bb natural numbers such that 2a−b,a−2b2 a-b, a-2 b and a+ba+b are all distinct squares. What is the smallest possible value of bb ?

Correct answer

21

Step-by-step solution

2 \mathrm{a}-b=k\mathrm{b}=\mathrm{k}_1^2......(1)......(1)a-2 b=k_2^2......(2)......(2)a+b=k_3{ }^2......(3)Add(2)&(3)weget......(3) Add (2) \& (3) we get2 \mathrm{a}-b=k\mathrm{b}=\mathrm{k}_2^2+\mathrm{k}_3^2 \Rightarrow \mathrm{k}_2^2+\mathrm{k}_3^2=\mathrm{k}_1^2 \quad(k2<k3)\left(\mathrm{k}_2 < \mathrm{k}_3\right) For least ' b ' difference of k32\mathrm{k}_3{ }^2 &\& k22\mathrm{k}_2{ }^2 is also least and must be multiple of 3 ⇒k22=a−2 b=a2\Rightarrow \mathrm{k}_2^2=\mathrm{a}-2 \mathrm{~b}=\mathrm{a}^2 & k32=a+b=122\mathrm{k}_3^2=\mathrm{a}+\mathrm{b}=12^2 ⇒k32−k22=3 b=144−81=63⇒ b=21\Rightarrow \mathrm{k}_3^2-\mathrm{k}_2^2=3 \mathrm{~b}=144-81=63 \Rightarrow \mathrm{~b}=21 ⇒\Rightarrow least bb is 21
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