As we all know the equation has no solutions for real .
If we however introduce the imaginary number this equation has two solutions: and .
If we go a step further the equation has two complex solutions: and .
and are called each others' complex conjugate.
Numbers of the form are called complex numbers.
In general and are each other's complex conjugate.
A Gaussian Integer is a complex number such that both and are integers.
The regular integers are also Gaussian integers (with ).
To distinguish them from Gaussian integers with we call such integers "rational integers."
A Gaussian integer is called a divisor of a rational integer if the result is also a Gaussian integer.
If for example we divide by we can simplify in the following manner:
Multiply numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of : .
The result is .
So is a divisor of .
Note that is not a divisor of because .
Note also that if the Gaussian Integer is a divisor of a rational integer , then its complex conjugate is also a divisor of .
In fact, has six divisors such that the real part is positive: .
The following is a table of all of the divisors for the first five positive rational integers:
Gaussian integer divisors
with positive real part
Sum of these
divisors
For divisors with positive real parts, then, we have: .
.
What is ?
Write-up coming later
The complete problem is available here. An approach, code, and answer will be added later.