cat 2019 Question 4

Question

How many pairs (m, n) of positive integers satisfy the equation $m^2 + 105 = n^2$?

Accepted Answer

(n-m)(n+m) = 1*105, 3*35, 5*21, 7*15, 15*7, 21*5, 35*3, 105*1.

n-m=1, n+m=105 ==> n=53, m=52

n-m=3, n+m=35 ==> n=19, m=16

n-m=5, n+m=21 ==> n=13, m=8

n-m=7, n+m=15 ==> n=11, m=4

n-m=15, n+m=7 ==> n=11, m=-4

n-m=21, n+m=5 ==> n=13, m=-8

n-m=35, n+m=3 ==> n=19, m=-16

n-m=105, n+m=1 ==> n=53, m=-52

Since only positive integer values of m and n are required. There are 4 possible solutions.

Question 4.