MathDB
a+2018 is a perfect square

Source: 2018 JBMO TST - Turkey, P5

March 27, 2020
NumberTheory

Problem Statement

Let a1,a2,...,a1000a_1, a_2, ... , a_{1000} be a sequence of integers such that a1=3,a2=7a_1=3, a_2=7 and for all n=2,3,...,999n=2, 3, ... , 999 an+1an=4(a1+a2)(a2+a3)...(an1+an)a_{n+1}-a_n=4(a_1+a_2)(a_2+a_3) ... (a_{n-1}+a_n). Find the number of indices 1n10001\leq n\leq 1000 for which an+2018a_n+2018 is a perfect square.