Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, Seventh Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073383090
ISBN 13: 978-0-07338-309-5

Chapter 1 - Section 1.8 - Proof Methods and Strategy - Exercises - Page 108: 32

Answer

Infinitely many solutions $(x,y,z)$, where $x,y,z$ are integers

Work Step by Step

We are given the equation: $x^2+y^2=z^2$ First we prove that there exists a solution of the equation. Consider the Pythagoreic numbers: $x=3$ $y=4$ $z=5$ $x^2+y^2=3^2+4^2=9+16=25$ $z^2=5^2=25$ Therefore $(3,4,5)$ represents a solution of the equation. Then we prove that there are infinitely many solutions. Note: $x=3a$ $y=4a$ $z=5a$ We have: $x^2+y^2=(3a)^2+(4a)^2=9a^2+16a^2=25a^2$ $z^2=(5a)^2=25a^2$ This means that $(3a,4a,5a)$ is a solution of the equation. As $a$ is any real number, it means the equation has infinitely many solutions. Note: We could use any triplet of Pythagorean numbers (for example $(5,12,13)$, $(8,15,17)$, $(7,24,25)$).
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