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There was a recent homework question that went along the lines of finding integer solutions to $(4x^2-1)(4y^2-1)=(4z^2-1)^2$, but it seems to be deleted now. Is this correct? I don't have 10k reputation, so I can't tell.

It would be pity if OP decided to delete this question because of the comments it received (telling that it should show some work). Since I also made a comment, I would feel particularly guilty if I made a contribution into deletion of the post.

Note that I am not attempting to revive discussion about homework problems, how much one should show effort, etc. I already know such threads exist (plenty in number) and are quite contentious in nature. I am just curious about the state of this particular post.

Thanks!

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  • $\begingroup$ The poster is in Shanghai, China. Is it really very likely that he has a clear idea of the (much debated, and possibly nonexistent) etiquette implications of English phrasing that "posts in the imperative", or would know how to find an equivalent non-imperative phrasing, or would be confident of a different phrasing if the source of the problem is from a book or website in English? In books, websites, and competition sources, in all languages I have seen, it is standard for a problem to be stated in the imperative: find $x$, prove $P$, solve for $y$, determine $z$. $\endgroup$ – zyx Aug 31 '13 at 18:21
  • $\begingroup$ @zyx: Good point. I agree that I was inconsiderate of the fact that poster lives in Shanghai, China. So if 3 users with sufficient rep vote to undelete this question, I would feel less guilty. :( To make matters worse, I think this question is quite interesting! $\endgroup$ – Prism Aug 31 '13 at 19:06
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Yes, it was deleted by author. Those with 10k can see it at https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/480417/find-positive-integer-x-y-zx-ne-y-satisfying-4x2-14y2-1-4z2-12 I wouldn't try to read the author's mind, as to the reason(s) for the deletion.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks Gerry. Yeah we won't be able to read author's mind. But could you also tell me the name of OP (i.e. username)? $\endgroup$ – Prism Aug 31 '13 at 19:09
  • $\begingroup$ Here's the user's page: math.stackexchange.com/users/91701/smy2012 $\endgroup$ – Gerry Myerson Sep 1 '13 at 1:10
  • $\begingroup$ Great! I appreciate it. $\endgroup$ – Prism Sep 1 '13 at 5:42

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