Resolution of the equation \((3^{x_{1}}-1)(3^{x_{2}}-1)=(5^{y_{1}}-1)(5^{y_{2}}-1)\) (Q2204756)

The authors show that the equation in the title has the only solution \((x_1,x_2,y_1,y_2)=(1,2,1,1)\) with \(x_1\leq x_2\) and \(y_1\leq y_2\). In the proof Baker's method is combined with reduction techniques, in a nice and clear way. Note that the equation is related to problems concerning integers having representations with 'small' sum of digits in two bases simultaneously, studied by Senge, Strauss, Stewart and others.