- #1
- 628
- 502
- Homework Statement
- "Here is a basic fact about integers that has many uses in number theory: If two integers can be expressed as the sum of two squares, then so can their product. With the understanding that each symbol denotes an integer, this says that if ##M = a^2 + b^2## and ##N = c^2 + d^2##, then ##MN = p^2 + q^2##. Prove this result by considering ##|(a + ib)(c + id)|^2##."
- Relevant Equations
- ##|x+iy|^2 = x^2 + y^2##
Firstly, the exercise itself is not difficult:
On one hand, $$|(a + ib)(c + id)|^2 = |a + ib|^2|c + id|^2 = (a^2 + b^2) (c^2 + d^2) = MN.$$
On the other hand, ##(a + ib)(c + id) = p+ iq## for some integers p and q, and so $$|(a + ib)(c + id)|^2 = |p + iq|^2 = p^2 + q^2.$$
Thus, ##MN = p^2 + q^2.##
However, it can be done quite straightforwardly, without considering the complex numbers, e.g.,
$$MN = (a^2 + b^2) (c^2 + d^2) = a^2 c^2 + a^2 d^2 + b^2 c^2 + b^2 d^2 =$$$$a^2 c^2 + a^2 d^2 + b^2 c^2 + b^2 d^2 + 2abcd - 2abcd = $$$$(a^2 c^2 + 2abcd + b^2 d^2) + (a^2 d^2 - 2abcd + b^2 c^2) =$$$$(ac + bd)^2 + (ad - bc)^2 = p^2 + q^2.$$
I don't see an advantage of considering the complex numbers in this case. What am I missing?
On one hand, $$|(a + ib)(c + id)|^2 = |a + ib|^2|c + id|^2 = (a^2 + b^2) (c^2 + d^2) = MN.$$
On the other hand, ##(a + ib)(c + id) = p+ iq## for some integers p and q, and so $$|(a + ib)(c + id)|^2 = |p + iq|^2 = p^2 + q^2.$$
Thus, ##MN = p^2 + q^2.##
However, it can be done quite straightforwardly, without considering the complex numbers, e.g.,
$$MN = (a^2 + b^2) (c^2 + d^2) = a^2 c^2 + a^2 d^2 + b^2 c^2 + b^2 d^2 =$$$$a^2 c^2 + a^2 d^2 + b^2 c^2 + b^2 d^2 + 2abcd - 2abcd = $$$$(a^2 c^2 + 2abcd + b^2 d^2) + (a^2 d^2 - 2abcd + b^2 c^2) =$$$$(ac + bd)^2 + (ad - bc)^2 = p^2 + q^2.$$
I don't see an advantage of considering the complex numbers in this case. What am I missing?
Last edited: