Algebra, geometry, and Pythagorean triples

Kaloyan Slavov

Department of Mathematics
ETH Zürich
kaloyan.slavov@math.ethz.ch

February 9, 2017

1/8
Basics

√
−2, 1, 5, 7

2/8
Basics

√
−2, 1, 5, 7 √
−2 1 5 7

2/8
Basics

algebra geometry

√
−2, 1, 5, 7 √
−2 1 5 7

2/8
Basics

algebra geometry

√
−2, 1, 5, 7 √
−2 1 5 7

(2, 1)

2/8
Basics

algebra geometry

√
−2, 1, 5, 7 √
−2 1 5 7

(2, 1) (2, 1)

2/8
Lines

algebra geometry

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

(2, 1)
(−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

(2, 1)
(−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

y=  x+  (2, 1)
(−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

y=  x+  (2, 1)
slope (−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

1−0
y=
2 − (−1)
x+  (2, 1)
slope (−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

y=
1
3
x+  (2, 1)
slope (−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

1 1
y= x+ (2, 1)
3 3
slope (−1, 0)
x

3/8
Lines

algebra geometry

1 1
y = x+
1 1 3 3
y= x+ (2, 1)
3 3
slope (−1, 0)
x

3/8
Circles

algebra geometry

4/8
Circles

algebra geometry

1 x

4/8
Circles

algebra geometry

y
2 2
x +y =1

1 x

4/8
Circles

algebra geometry

y
2 2
x +y =1 (x, y)

1 y

1 x x

4/8
Circles

algebra geometry

y
2 2
x +y =1 (x, y)

√ ! 1
1 2 2 y
Is − , on this circle?
3 3
1 x x

4/8
Circles

algebra geometry

y
2 2
x +y =1 (x, y)

√ ! 1
1 2 2 y
Is − , on this circle?
3 3
1 8 1 x x
+ = 1 =⇒ yes.
9 9

4/8
Circles

algebra geometry

y
2 2
x +y =1 (x, y)

√ ! 1
1 2 2 y
Is − , on this circle?
3 3
1 8 1 x x
+ = 1 =⇒ yes.
9 9

4/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers

b c

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52
62 + 82 = 102

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52
62 + 82 = 102
92 + 122 = 152

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52
62 + 82 = 102
92 + 122 = 152
...
300 + 4002
2
= 5002

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52 , 52 + 122 = 132
62 + 82 = 102
92 + 122 = 152
...
300 + 4002
2
= 5002

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52 , 52 + 122 = 132 , 82 + 152 = 172 ,

62 + 82 = 102
92 + 122 = 152
...
300 + 4002
2
= 5002

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52 , 52 + 122 = 132 , 82 + 152 = 172 , •••

62 + 82 = 102
92 + 122 = 152
...
300 + 4002
2
= 5002

5/8
Pythagorean triples
N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} positive integers
Problem
Find examples of a, b, c ∈ N such that
b c
a2 + b 2 = c 2 .
a

32 + 42 = 52 , 52 + 122 = 132 , 82 + 152 = 172 , •••

62 + 82 = 102
92 + 122 = 152
...
300 + 4002
2
= 5002
√
Non-example: 12 + 12 = ( 2)2
5/8
Geometric interpretation

a2 + b 2 = c 2
a, b, c ∈ N

6/8
Geometric interpretation

a2 + b2 = c2 ⇐⇒
a, b, c ∈ N

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 a 2  2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + =1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 a 2 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + =1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z }
y

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 a 2 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z }
y

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2
3 4
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒ + =1
5 5

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2
3 4
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒ + =1
5 5
( 35 , 45 )

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2
3 4
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒ + =1
5 5
( 35 , 45 )
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2
3 4
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒ + =1
5 5
 2  2 ( 35 , 45 )
5 12
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒ + =1
13 13

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2 5 12
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒
3
+
4
=1 ( 13 , 13 )
5 5
 2  2 ( 35 , 45 )
5 12
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒ + =1
13 13

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2 5 12
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒
3
+
4
=1 ( 13 , 13 )
5 5
 2  2 ( 35 , 45 )
5 12
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒ + =1
13 13

152 + 82 = 172 ⇐⇒

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2 5 12
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒
3
+
4
=1 ( 13 , 13 )
5 5
 2  2 ( 35 , 45 )
5 12
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒ + =1
13 13
 2  2
15 8
152 + 82 = 172 ⇐⇒ + =1
17 17

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2 5 12
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒
3
+
4
=1 ( 13 , 13 )
5 5
 2  2 ( 35 , 45 )
5 12
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒ + =1
13 13
 2  2 ( 15 , 8)
17 17
15 8
152 + 82 = 172 ⇐⇒ + =1
17 17

1
x

6/8
Geometric interpretation
 2
 a 2
2 2 2 b
a + b = c ⇐⇒ + = 1 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 = 1
c c
a, b, c ∈ N |{z}
x
| {z } x, y ∈ Q (rational)
y

y
 2  2 5 12
32 + 42 = 52 ⇐⇒
3
+
4
=1 ( 13 , 13 )
5 5
 2  2 ( 35 , 45 )
5 12
52 + 122 = 132 ⇐⇒ + =1
13 13
 2  2 ( 15 , 8)
17 17
15 8
152 + 82 = 172 ⇐⇒ + =1
17 17

1
x
Problem
Find examples of x, y ∈ Q such
that
x2 + y 2 = 1. 6/8
Hunting rational points

1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

( 35 , 45 )

1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

y
5 12
( 13 , 13 )
( 35 , 45 )

1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

y
5 12
( 13 , 13 )
( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17

1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

y
5 12
( 13 , 13 )
( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

y
5 12
( 13 , 13 )
( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

y slope m =
5 12
( 13 , 13 )
( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

4
−0
y slope m = 53
5 12 +1
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points

slope m =

4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0
slope m = 5
13
+1
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
slope m =
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
slope m = (rational!)
( 15 , 8)
17 17
(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
1
slope m = (rational!)
( 15 , 8)
17 17
4

(−1, 0)
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
1
slope m = (rational!)
( 15 , 8)
17 17
4
1
(−1, 0) slope m = (try!)
10
1
x

7/8
Hunting rational points
12
13
−0 2
slope m = 5 =
13
+1 3
4
−0 1
y slope m = 53 =
5 12 +1 2
( 13 , 13 ) 5

( 35 , 45 )
1
slope m = (rational!)
( 15 , 8)
17 17
4
1
(−1, 0) slope m = (try!)
10
1
x

7/8
The computation
y

1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x
1

8/8
The computation
y

y= x + 
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x
1

8/8
The computation
y

y=
1
10
x+ 
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x
1

8/8
The computation
y

1 1
y= x+
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x
1

8/8
The computation
y

1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x
1

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x
1

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ =1
10 10

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0

x1 = −1 X

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = −
101
Vieta’s formula

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+
(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
10 10
1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 =
101 101
Vieta’s formula

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+

(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
99 10 10
101
, 1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 =
101 101
Vieta’s formula

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+

(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
99 10 10
101
, 1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99 20
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 = , y2 =
101 101 101
Vieta’s formula

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+

(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
99 20 10 10
,
101 101 1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99 20
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 = , y2 =
101 101 101
Vieta’s formula

8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+

(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
99 20 10 10
,
101 101 1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99 20
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 = , y2 =
101 101 101
Vieta’s formula
 2  2
99 20
Check: + =1
101 101 8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+

(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
99 20 10 10
,
101 101 1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99 20
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 = , y2 =
101 101 101
Vieta’s formula
 2  2
99 20
Check: + = 1 ⇐⇒
101 101 8/8
The computation
y
x2 + y 2 = 1
1 1
y= x+

(x, 1
x + 1
) 10 10
99 20 10 10
,
101 101 1
(−1, 0) slope m = 10
x 2
1 
1 1
2
Solve: x + x+ = 1 ⇐⇒
10 10
101x2 + 2x − 99 = 0
99 99 20
x1 = −1 X x 1 x2 = − =⇒ x2 = , y2 =
101 101 101
Vieta’s formula
 2  2
99 20
Check: + = 1 ⇐⇒ 992 + 202 = 1012
101 101 8/8