MathLabs

Problem 4

Determine all pairs (x,y)(x,y) of integers such that 1+2x+22x+1=y21+2^{x}+2^{2x+1}=y^{2}.
Step 1 of 7: Exclude negative exponents
x≥0x\ge0
Detailed analysis

If x=−1x=-1, the left side equals 22, which is not a square. If x≤−2x\le-2, then 1+2x+22x+11+2^x+2^{2x+1} lies strictly between 11 and 22, so it cannot equal the integer y2y^2. Hence x≥0x\ge0.