What is the NO-SHORTCUT approach for learning great Mathematics?

# How to Pursue Mathematics after High School?

For Students who are passionate for Mathematics and want to pursue it for higher studies in India and abroad.

Try this beautiful problem from Algebra based on Largest Common Divisor .

## Largest Common Divisor | PRMO | Problem 11

For natural numbers x$x$ and y$y$,let (x,y)$(x,y)$ denote the largest common divisor of x$x$ and y$y$. How many pairs of natural numbers x$x$ and y$y$ with xy$x\leq y$ satisfy the equation xy=x+y+(x,y)$xy=x+y+(x,y)$?

• $1$
• $3$
• $4$

## Check the Answer

Answer:$3$

PRMO-2018, Problem 21

Pre College Mathematics

## Try with Hints

At first we have to find out the divisors that satisfy the equation $xy=x+y+(x,y)$ .so we assume that $x$=ak and $y$=bk and try to find out the divisors

Can you now finish the problem ....

Let $x$ =ak and $y$=bk, then (x,y)=k and (a,b)=1

Therefore $xy=x+y+(x,y)$

$\Rightarrow abk^2=ka+kb+k$

$\Rightarrow kab=a+b+1$

Can you finish the problem...

$k=1\Rightarrow ab=a+b+1\Rightarrow a=1=\frac{2}{b-1}$

For $a\in \mathbb N$, then (b-1) divides 2

$\Rightarrow b-1=1,2$

$\Rightarrow b=2,3$

Therefore a=1+2=3 and a=1+1=2

$\Rightarrow (x,y)=(3,2) or (2,3)$

Now for $x=y\Rightarrow(x,y)=x$

so $xy=x+y(x<y)$

$\Rightarrow x^2=3x$

$\Rightarrow x^2 -3x=0$

$\Rightarrow x(x-3)=0$

$\Rightarrow x=3 or 0$

Therefore $x\in \mathbb N\Rightarrow x=3,y=3$

Therefore $(x,y)=(3,3)$

Hence total number of pairs =3

## What to do to shape your Career in Mathematics after 12th?

From the video below, let's learn from Dr. Ashani Dasgupta (a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin and Founder-Faculty of Cheenta) how you can shape your career in Mathematics and pursue it after 12th in India and Abroad. These are some of the key questions that we are discussing here:

• What are some of the best colleges for Mathematics that you can aim to apply for after high school?
• How can you strategically opt for less known colleges and prepare yourself for the best universities in India or Abroad for your Masters or Ph.D. Programs?
• What are the best universities for MS, MMath, and Ph.D. Programs in India?
• What topics in Mathematics are really needed to crack some great Masters or Ph.D. level entrances?
• How can you pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics outside India?
• What are the 5 ways Cheenta can help you to pursue Higher Mathematics in India and abroad?

## Want to Explore Advanced Mathematics at Cheenta?

Cheenta has taken an initiative of helping College and High School Passout Students with its "Open Seminars" and "Open for all Math Camps". These events are extremely useful for students who are really passionate for Mathematic and want to pursue their career in it.

To Explore and Experience Advanced Mathematics at Cheenta

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# Knowledge Partner

Cheenta is a knowledge partner of Aditya Birla Education Academy