English

On the Markoff Equation

Number Theory 2022-08-26 v9

Abstract

A triple (a, b, c) of positive integers is called a Markoff triple iff it satisfies the Diophantine equation a2+b2+c2=abc . Recasting the Markoff tree, whose vertices are Markoff triples, in the framework of integral upper triangular 3x3 matrices, it will be shown that the largest member of such a triple determines the other two uniquely. This answers a question which has been open for 100 years. The solution of this problem will be obtained in the course of a broader investigation of the Markoff equation by means of 3x3 matrices.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1208.4032,
  title  = {On the Markoff Equation},
  author = {Norbert Riedel},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1208.4032},
  year   = {2022}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T21:53:01.081Z