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Pythagorean triple. 1. x = p^2-q^2 2. y = 2pq 3. z = p^2 + q^2 k = p^2 and l = q

ID: 3146766 • Letter: P

Question

Pythagorean triple. 1. x = p^2-q^2 2. y = 2pq 3. z = p^2 + q^2
k = p^2 and l = q^2. Check that the Pythagorean triple (x, y, z) is given by equation (1, 2, 3). Also show that 1 is the largest common factor for p and q and that they are not both odd numbers.
Assume (x,y,z) is a primitive Pythagorean triple, where x is odd, y is even and z is odd. Pythagorean triple. 1. x = p^2-q^2 2. y = 2pq 3. z = p^2 + q^2
k = p^2 and l = q^2. Check that the Pythagorean triple (x, y, z) is given by equation (1, 2, 3). Also show that 1 is the largest common factor for p and q and that they are not both odd numbers.
Assume (x,y,z) is a primitive Pythagorean triple, where x is odd, y is even and z is odd. Pythagorean triple. 1. x = p^2-q^2 2. y = 2pq 3. z = p^2 + q^2
k = p^2 and l = q^2. Check that the Pythagorean triple (x, y, z) is given by equation (1, 2, 3). Also show that 1 is the largest common factor for p and q and that they are not both odd numbers.
Assume (x,y,z) is a primitive Pythagorean triple, where x is odd, y is even and z is odd.

Explanation / Answer

(x,y,z) is aprimitive pythagorean triple.

x is odd, y is even and z is odd.

1. x = p2 - q2

2. y = 2pq

3. z = p2 + q2

x2 + y2 = (p2 - q2)2 + (2pq)2

= (p4 - 2p2q2 + q4) + 4p2q2

= p4 + 2p2q2 + q4

= (p2 + q2)2

= z2.

If p and q are both odd, then p2 and q2 are both odd too.

=> p2 + q2 and p2 - q2 are even.

=> x and z are even.

But z and z are both odd.

Therefore, we arrive at a contradiction and so p and q can't both be odd.

Let k be the gcd of p and q.

Let p = Pk and q = Qk

=> x = (Pk)2 - (Qk)2 = k2 (P2 - Q2)

y = 2PkQk = 2PQk2

z = (Pk)2 + (Qk)2 = k2 (P2 + Q2)

Then P2 - Q2, 2PQ and P2 + Q2 would also form a Pythagorean triple.

Since (x,y,z) is primitive, we arrive at a contradiction.

=> gcd(p,q) = 1.