MathLabs

Problem 5

Find all pairs (a,b)(a,b) of positive integers satisfying ab2=ba a^{b^2}=b^a .
Step 4 of 5: Solve d<0 d<0
In plain words

Solve d<0 d<0

m=2n+km=2n+k
Detailed analysis

Let k=−d=m−2n>0 k=-d=m-2n>0. Then m/n=sk m/n=s^k , so n(sk−2)=k n(s^k-2)=k . For k=1 k=1, this forces s=3,n=1 s=3,n=1, giving (a,b)=(27,3)(a,b)=(27,3). For k=2 k=2, it forces s=2,n=1 s=2,n=1, giving (a,b)=(16,2)(a,b)=(16,2). For k≥3 k\ge3, 2k−2>k2^k-2>k , impossible.