Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2005/ii/paper-4/11h/b/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 ii Paper 4 11H b Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
The continued-fraction algorithm givesafter which the process repeats. ThusThe first two convergents are and , of field norms and respectively. The even period gives the fundamental solutionIt is also directly the smallest positive solution: for , the values are , neither square; gives . Cubing by the preceding Pell equation group law givesIndeed .
New to topics? Read the docs here!