OFFSET
3,1
COMMENTS
A Pythagorean n-tuple consists of positive integers X1,...,Xn where X1^2 + X2^2 + ... + X(n-1)^2 = Xn^2. The product of those terms is P = X1*X2*...*Xn.
a(n) is the GCD of all possible products P arising this way.
If n is odd, then 2 | a(n).
If n mod 3 is 0 or 1, then 3 | a(n).
If n is divisible by 4, then 4 | a(n).
If n mod 8 is 1 or 3, then 4 | a(n).
If n mod 8 is 0 or 6, then 8 | a(n).
If n mod 24 is 2, then a(n)=1.
a(n+24)=a(n) for n >= 4.
LINKS
Des MacHale and Christian van den Bosch, Generalising a result about Pythagorean triples, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 96, March 2012.
EXAMPLE
For n = 8, then 8 | a(n). Since 1^2 + 1^2 + 1^2 + 1^2 + 2^2 + 2^2 + 2^2 = 4^2 with P = 1*1*1*1*2*2*2*4 = 32 and 1^2 + 1^2 + 1^2 + 1^2 + 1^2 + 2^2 + 4^2 = 5^2 with P = 1*1*1*1*1*2*4*5 = 40, then a(8) = gcd(32,40) = 8, and no larger number will divide the product of terms in every Pythagorean octuple.
CROSSREFS
KEYWORD
nonn,more
AUTHOR
Brian Almond, May 28 2024
STATUS
approved