MathLabs

Problem 4

Find all ordered pairs of positive integers (m,n)(m,n) for which n3+1mn−1\frac{n^3+1}{mn-1} is an integer.
Step 2 of 4: Bound the complementary factors
In plain words

A sum of at least 3n3n would make the product too large.

m+k=n or m+k=2nm+k=n\text{ or }m+k=2n
Detailed analysis

Assume n>3n>3. If m+k≥3nm+k\ge3n, one of m,km,k is at least n+2n+2, while the other is at least 11; hence (mn−1)(kn−1)≥(n2+2n−1)(n−1)>n3+1(mn-1)(kn-1)\ge(n^2+2n-1)(n-1)>n^3+1, impossible. Since nn divides m+km+k, only m+k=nm+k=n or m+k=2nm+k=2n remain.