[Math] How to prove no integer solutions

algebra-precalculuselementary-number-theory

What I want to do is prove that there are no integers x, y that satisfy this equation:

$11=x^2-3y^2$

I tried solving and other methods, but to no avail. Any help would be awesome.

Best Answer

11 is congruent to 3 mod 4. While squares are only congruent 0 and 1 mod 4. Therefore $x^2-3y^2$ can only be $1-3,0-3,1-0$or $0-0$ So it can't be.


Proof squares are only conguent 1 and 0:

if k is even then $k=2m\rightarrow k^2=(2m)^2=4m^2$

if k is odd then $k=2m+1 \rightarrow k^2=(2m+1)^2=4m^2+4m+1=4(m^2+m)+1$

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