Problem #WSP-000508

Problems Algebra Diophantine equations

Problem

Suppose that \(x_1+y_1\sqrt{d}\) and \(x_2+y_2\sqrt{d}\) give solutions to Pell’s equation \(x^2-dy^2=1\) and \(x_1,x_2,y_1,y_2\geq 0\). Show that the following are equivalent:

  1. \(x_1+y_1\sqrt{d} < x_2+y_2\sqrt{d}\),

  2. \(x_1<x_2\) and \(y_1<y_2\),

  3. \(x_1<x_2\) or \(y_1<y_2\).