The extensibility of Diophantine pairs \(\{k - 1,k+1\}\) (Q2469222): Difference between revisions

The author considers Diophantine quadruples that are extensions of the pair \(\{k-1,k+1\}\). In particular he proves relations for \(c\) and \(d\) in the case that \(\{k-1,k+1,c,d\}\) is such an extension. From these relations the author proves that the pair \(\{k-1,k+1\}\) cannot be extended to a Diophantine quintuple. The proof is based on the solution of the simultaneous Pell equations \((k-1)z^2-cx^2=k-1-c\) and \((k+1)z^2-cy^2=k+1-c\). This system is solved by combining hypergeometric methods and Baker's theory of linear forms in logarithms.