Solving for Perfect Squares of $f(x)=x^2-19x+99$ for All Natural Numbers $x$

In summary, the formula for finding the perfect square of $f(x)$ is $(x-\frac{b}{2})^2$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term. To determine if the perfect square of $f(x)$ exists for a given natural number $x$, you can use the discriminant of the quadratic equation $x^2-19x+99=0$, which is given by $b^2-4ac$. The steps for solving for the perfect square of $f(x)$ for a given natural number $x$ are to find the value of $b$ from the coefficient of the $x$ term, plug it into the formula, and simplify the expression. The perfect
  • #1
anemone
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Find all values of $x$ such that $f(x)=x^2-19x+99$ is a perfect square for all $x\in N$.
 
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  • #2
This is equivalent to integer results for
f(k)=(19+Sqrt[4k^2-35])/2 where k is a Natural number.

eg. f(3)=10 and f(9)=18
 
Last edited:
  • #3
RLBrown said:
This is equivalent to integer results for
f(k)=(19+Sqrt[4k^2-35])/2 where k is a Natural number.

eg. f(3)=10 and f(9)=18
Why?

-Dan

Oops. Missed the obvious. Thanks.

-Dan
 
  • #4
let
$y^2 = x^2 - 19 x + 99$
$\Rightarrow\, 4y^2 = 4x^2 - 76 x +396$ to make perfect square and avoid fraction
$\Rightarrow\, 4y^2 = (2x- 19)^2 - 19^2 + 396$
$\Rightarrow\, (2y)^2 = (2x- 19)^2 + 35$
$\Rightarrow\, (2x- 19)^2 -(2y)^2 = - 35$
$\Rightarrow\, (2x- 19+2y)(2x- 19-2y) = - 35$
without loss of generality we can assume y > 0
then we get factoring - 35
$(2x-19+2y, 2x - 19- 2y)$ =$ (35,-1)$ or$ ( 7, -5)$ or $(5,-7)$ or $(1, -35)$

or x = 18 or 10 or 9 or 1
 
  • #5
kaliprasad said:
let
$y^2 = x^2 - 19 x + 99$
$\Rightarrow\, 4y^2 = 4x^2 - 76 x +396$ to make perfect square and avoid fraction
$\Rightarrow\, 4y^2 = (2x- 19)^2 - 19^2 + 396$
$\Rightarrow\, (2y)^2 = (2x- 19)^2 + 35$
$\Rightarrow\, (2x- 19)^2 -(2y)^2 = - 35$
$\Rightarrow\, (2x- 19+2y)(2x- 19-2y) = - 35$
without loss of generality we can assume y > 0
then we get factoring - 35
$(2x-19+2y, 2x - 19- 2y)$ =$ (35,-1)$ or$ ( 7, -5)$ or $(5,-7)$ or $(1, -35)$

or x = 18 or 10 or 9 or 1
Nicely done. (Bow)

-Dan
 

Related to Solving for Perfect Squares of $f(x)=x^2-19x+99$ for All Natural Numbers $x$

What is the formula for finding the perfect square of $f(x)$?

The formula for finding the perfect square of $f(x)$ is $(x-\frac{b}{2})^2$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term.

How do I know if the perfect square of $f(x)$ exists for a given natural number $x$?

The perfect square of $f(x)$ exists for a given natural number $x$ if the discriminant of the quadratic equation $x^2-19x+99=0$ is a perfect square. The discriminant is given by $b^2-4ac$, where $a$ and $b$ are the coefficients of the quadratic equation.

What are the steps for solving for the perfect square of $f(x)$ for a given natural number $x$?

The steps for solving for the perfect square of $f(x)$ for a given natural number $x$ are as follows:

  1. Find the value of $b$ by looking at the coefficient of the $x$ term in the quadratic equation $x^2-19x+99=0$.
  2. Plug in the value of $b$ into the formula $(x-\frac{b}{2})^2$.
  3. Simplify the expression to get the perfect square of $f(x)$.

Can the perfect square of $f(x)$ be negative?

No, the perfect square of $f(x)$ cannot be negative. It will always be a positive number or zero.

Is there a specific range of natural numbers for which the perfect square of $f(x)$ is defined?

No, the perfect square of $f(x)$ is defined for all natural numbers. However, the value of $x$ may vary depending on the given quadratic equation.

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