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If $a$ and $c$ are odd prime numbers and $ax^2+bx+c=0$ has rational roots, where $b$ belongs to $\Bbb{Z}$. Prove that one root of the equation is independent of $a,b,c$.

For rational roots discriminant should be a perfect sq.

$b^2-4ac=p^2$ (say $p$)

$(b+p)(b-p)=4ac$

I tried to make cases as $b+p=2a,b-p=2c$(as both should be even) and I can prove it,but what if I took $b+p=2$ and $b-p=2ac$ or say $b+p=2ac$ and $b-p=2$.Is it right?I am confused about its validity and how to proceed?Would you help?

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    $\begingroup$ Siong, you can’t prove it because the statement is not true in general, for example, when b=ac+1, we have $ax^2+(ac+1)x+c=0$, $(ax+1)(x+c)=0$$x=-\frac{1}{a} or -c, $ which are dependent on either a or c. $\endgroup$
    – Lai
    Commented Oct 3, 2021 at 3:33
  • $\begingroup$ What do you mean by " independent of $a,b,c$"? $\endgroup$
    – Paul Frost
    Commented Oct 3, 2021 at 9:35

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\begin{align*} \text{Given} \quad b^2-4ac=p^2 \space\implies\space p^2+4ac=b^2\\ \quad\text{we have}\qquad A^2+B^2=C^2 \\ \text{which is a Pythagorean triple where}\\ A=m^2-k^2\quad B=2mk\quad C=m^2+k^2\\ \end{align*} In this case, $\quad p=m^2-k^2\\ 4ac=B^2=(2mk)^2=4m^2k^2\implies ac=m^2k^2\\ b=m^2+k^2.$

In any Pythagorean triple, $B= 4n\space\implies \space ac\in\mathbb{N^2}.\quad$ The only way this can work is if both of $\quad ac\quad$ are either $1, 2,\space$ or equal odd primes, or squares themselves.

$\textbf{Non Pythagorean solutions:}$

Other solutions have no pattern that "jumps out" as seen in this sample of $(p,4\times ac,b)\space$ triples.

$$(3 , 4x2 ,1 )\quad (4 , 4x3 ,2 )\quad (5 , 4x6 ,1 )\quad (5 , 4x4 ,3 )\\ (6 , 4x8 ,2 )\quad (6 , 4x5 ,4 )\quad (7 , 4x12 ,1 )\quad (7 , 4x10 ,3 )\\ (7 , 4x6 ,5 )\quad (8 , 4x15 ,2 )\quad (8 , 4x12 ,4 )\quad (8 , 4x7 ,6 )\\ (9 , 4x20 ,1 )\quad (9 , 4x18 ,3 )\quad (9 , 4x14 ,5 )\quad (9 , 4x8 ,7 )\\ (10 , 4x24 ,2 )\quad (10 , 4x21 ,4 )\quad (10 , 4x16 ,6 )\quad (10 , 4x9 ,8 )\\ $$

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  • $\begingroup$ "$ac$ must always be a square" $\;-\;$ Why? $\endgroup$
    – dxiv
    Commented Oct 3, 2021 at 19:12
  • $\begingroup$ @dxiv. I would have answered sooner but my comport has been in the shop. We accept that $4ac$. must be a square. Four is a square and then ac must be a square if the product is a square. $\endgroup$
    – poetasis
    Commented Oct 7, 2021 at 18:10
  • $\begingroup$ The problem does not state that $4ac$ must be a square. If you are introducing that as an additional assumption, you should make that clear in the answer. $\endgroup$
    – dxiv
    Commented Oct 7, 2021 at 22:19
  • $\begingroup$ @dxiv The statement $\quad 2+4ac=b^2\quad$ requires $\space 4ac \space $ to be a square because $\space 4ac=B^2.\quad$ $\endgroup$
    – poetasis
    Commented Oct 7, 2021 at 22:30
  • $\begingroup$ There is no "$B$" in the original problem, and just because $\,p^2+4ac=b^2\,$ does not require the three terms to form a pythagorean triple. That seems to be an additional assumption that your answer introduces and uses, but it does not follow from OP's question. $\endgroup$
    – dxiv
    Commented Oct 7, 2021 at 22:43

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