IMO 2001 · Problem 6

Let \(a,b,c,d\) be integers with \(a>b>c>d>0\). Suppose that \[ ac+bd=(b+d+a-c)(b+d-a+c). \] Prove that \(ab+cd\) is not prime.

Official text of the problem. Official problem paper (PDF)

Solution

Expanding the given equation gives \[ a^2-ac+c^2=b^2+bd+d^2. \] Write this common value as \(Q\), and put \(p=ab+cd\).

First, the same equality yields \[ (a-b-d)(a+b+d-c)=(b-c)(c-d)>0. \] Since \(a+b+d-c>0\), we obtain \(a>b+d\). Consequently, \[ 0<Q=b(b+d)+d^2<ab+cd=p, \] where we used \(c>d>0\).

Next, we have the identity \[ \begin{aligned} p(ab-bc-cd) &=(ab+cd)(ab-bc-cd)\\ &=b^2(a^2-ac)-c^2(bd+d^2)\\ &=b^2(Q-c^2)-c^2(Q-b^2)\\ &=(b^2-c^2)Q. \end{aligned} \] Thus \(p\) divides \((b^2-c^2)Q\). But \[ 0<b^2-c^2<b^2<ab<p \qquad\text{and}\qquad 0<Q<p. \] If \(p\) were prime, it would divide one of these two positive factors, both of which are smaller than \(p\). This is impossible. Therefore \(ab+cd\) is not prime. \(\square\)

The solution was checked against Evan Chen's published IMO solution notes.