problem on number theory

Prove that for any integer n

n7+7 is not a perfect square

i have proved it for all cases except for n of the form - 7k+1

plz help .

10 Answers

9
Celestine preetham ·

Rohan heres my sol its quite diff from wat ur expecting

case 1: n = 2α

2α^7 + 7 = (2β+1)2 = 4β2+4β+1

2α^7 = 2(2β2+2β-3) = 2 X oddno
hence lhs even powers > rhs even powers imposibble

case 2: n = 2α+1

2α+1^7 - 1 =4β2 - 8

2α( odd) = 4(β2-2)
α(odd) = 4(β2/2-1) if β is odd α=2 , else α=4

so n = 2α+1 has possibly 9,5 has sol
but 5^7 + 7 ends in 2 obviously not square
9^7 + 7 ends in 6 and is not div by 3 itself so no ending with 6 ruled out

hence all possibilities are ruled out
i have skipped some simple extra explanations in btw as it will make the post too long;)

1
Rohan Ghosh ·

in your step

a(odd)=4(β2/2 -1)

when β=even

β=2k

hence we get =
4(2k2-1)=a(odd)

how come you say that a=4 and no other ?

a can also be 4*(some factor of 2n2-1)

how come 2n2-1 is a prime always ?

eg. 2(5)2-1 = 49=7*7

1
Rohan Ghosh ·

some one try it ...

1
Philip Calvert ·

did you try induction

1
Rohan Ghosh ·

i dont think induction will help much

by the way could u prove it by induction..

1
Philip Calvert ·

ya rohan you're absolutely rite
sorry

341
Hari Shankar ·

Please see http://www.mathlinks.ro/viewtopic.php?t=224626

1
Rohan Ghosh ·

thanks!!

1
SOUMIK Bhattacharyya ·

Tried Congruences?

1
SOUMIK Bhattacharyya ·

n^7+7 to be a square means n has to be of the form 4n+1 (Obtained by congruences), so effectively if u can prove that 4n+1 does not satisfy this condition, its done.

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