Let $a,b,c \in \mathbb{Z}$.
Proove that if $a^2 - b^2 = c$ then exists $m,n \in \mathbb{Z}$ which are both even/odd such that
$a = \frac{m+n}{2}, b = \frac{m-n}{2}, c = mn$
I think I should use Fermat's theorem, but I'm not sure how to do it
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What is your question? – Air Conditioner Jan 07 '18 at 17:37
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i guess we have to set a question then solve it – Varazda Jan 07 '18 at 17:38
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Sorry, I was still editing... I had to translate the question so it took some time – Tomer Amir Jan 07 '18 at 17:39
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Doesn't $a^2+b^2=c$ then turn into $m^2+n^2=mn$? if both $m$ and $n$ are odd it cannot hold – Jan 07 '18 at 17:42
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@paramaribo sorry... I had a typo... fixed it – Tomer Amir Jan 07 '18 at 17:43
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Thanks @MartinR flagged as duplicate – Tomer Amir Jan 07 '18 at 17:44
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Suppose $c$ is odd. Then $c-1$ and $c+1$ are even, implying $\frac{c-1}{2}$ and $\frac{c+1}{2}$ are integers. Then take $m=c,n=1$ getting integral solutions for $a,b$.
If $c$ is even then $c=2^nk$ for some odd integer $k$, where $n$ is the highest power of $2$ in $c$. If $n\ge 2$, take $m=2^{n-1}k$ and $n=2$. If $n=1$, then $a^2+b^2=c$ has no solution of the above form. Butobviously it might have other solutions.
QED
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