150 OF THE INDETERMINATE ANALYSIS. In the common rules of Algebra, such questions are usually proposed as require some certain or definite answer; in which case, it is necessary that there should be as many independent equations, expressing their conditions, as there are unknown quantities to be determined; or otherwise the problem would not be limited. But in other branches of the science, questions frequently arise that involve a greater number of unknown quantities than there are equations to express them; in which instances they are called indeterminate or unlimited problems; being such as usually admit of an indefi nite number of solutions; although, when the question is proposed in integers, and the answers are required only in whole positive numbers, they are, in some cases, confined within certain limits, and in others, the problem may become impossible. PROBLEM 1. To find the integral values of the unknown quantities x and y in the equation. ax-by=c, or ax+by=e. Where a and b are supposed to be given whole numbers, which admit of no common divisor, except when it is also a divisor of c. RULE. 1. Let wh denote a whole, or integral number; and reduce the equation to the form _by±c c-by x= —wh, or x=. wh. α α 2. Throw all whole numbers out of that of these two expressions, to which the question belongs, so that the numbers d and e in the remaining parts, may be each less than a ; then 3. Take such a multiple of one of these last formulæ, corresponding with that above mentioned, as will make the coeficient of y nearly equal to a, and throw the whole numbers out of it as before. Or find the sum or difference of, and the expression a above used, or any multiple of it that comes near ay α dy, and the result, in either of these cases, will still be =wh, a whole number. 4. Proceed in the same manner with this last result; and so on, till the coefficient of y becomes = 1, and the remainder = some number r; then Where p may be o, or any integral number whatever, that makes y positive; and as the value of y is row known, that of x may be found from the given equation, when the question is possible (m). NOTE. Any indeterminate equation of the form ax-by=c, in which a and b are prime to each other, is always possible, and will admit of an infinite number of answers in whole numbers. (m) This rule is founded on the obvious principle, that the sum, difference, or product of any two whole numbers, is a whole number; and that, if a number divides the whole of any other number and a part of it, it will also diyide the remaining part But if the proposed equation be of the form ax+by+c, the number of answers will always be limited; and, in some cases, the question is impossible; both of which circumstances may be readily discovered, from the mode of solution above given. (n) EXAMPLES. 1. Given 19x-14y=11, to find x and y in whole num And by rejecting y-2, which is a whole number, y-6 19 =wh.=p. Whence we have y=19p+6. (n) That the coefficients a and b, when these two formulæ are possible, should have no common divisor, which is not, at the same time,a divisor of c, is evident; for if amd, and b=me, we shall have axby=mdx±mey=c; and consequently dx+ey C C m But d, e, x, y, being supposed to be whole numbers must also be a whole number, which it cannot be, except when m is a divisor of c. Hence, if it were required to pay 100%. in guineas and moidores only, the question would be impossible; since, in the equation 21x+27y=2000 which represents the conditions of the problem, the coefficients, 21 and 27, are each divisible by 3, whilst the ab. solute term 2000 is not divisible by it. See my Treatise of Algebra, for the method of resolving questions of this kind, by means of Continued Fractions. Whence, if p be taken =0 we shall have x=5 and y=6, for their least values; the number of solutions being obviously indefinite. 2. Given 2x+3y=25, to determine x and y in whole positive numbers. Hence, since must be a whole number, it follows 1-y Let therefore 1="=wh=p ; Then 1-y=2p, or y=1-2p. x=12−y+1—4—12—(1—2p)+p=12+3p—1, We shall have x=11+3p, and y=1-2p; Where p may be any whole number whatever, that will render the values of x and y in these two equations positive. But it is evident, from the value of y, that P must be either O or negative; and consequently, from that of x, that it must be 0, -1, -2, or -3. Whence, if p=0, p= −1, p=2, p=-3, Then x=11, x=8, x=5, x=2 y=1, y=8, y=5, y=7 Which are all the answers in whole positive numbers that the question admits of. 3. Given 3x=8y-16 to find the values of x and y in whole numbers. |