Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2022 iii Paper 125 1 c Solution 2026-09-28
The Lutz–Nagell theorem says that ifhas nonzero discriminant and is a torsion point, then and either or
For integrality, fix a prime . If a rational point has nonintegral coordinates, its primitive projective coordinates reduce to , so it belongs to the kernel of reduction. The parameter identifies this kernel with the formal group of an elliptic curve over . The formal logarithm, with the standard separate first-step argument at , shows that this group has no nonzero rational torsion. A rational torsion point therefore has nonnegative -adic valuations in both coordinates for every prime , hence integral coordinates.
Suppose now that . The point is again a nonzero torsion point and hence integral. Its -coordinate is , whereThus is an integer. A rational number whose square is integral is integral, so and in particular . The curve equation and the identitythen prove . This is the divisibility proof in the Nagell–Lutz theorem.