Generalized conjecture on squares in the associated recurrence sequence

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Let aa, bb, and dd be positive integers with dd nonsquare, let α=a+b2d\alpha=a+b^{2}\sqrt{d} have norm Nα=a2−b4dN_{\alpha}=a^{2}-b^{4}d, and let ε=(t+ud)/2\varepsilon=(t+u\sqrt{d})/2 be a unit in OQ(d)\mathcal{O}_{\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{d})} with t,ut,u positive integers. Define xk,ykx_k,y_k by replacing ε2k\varepsilon^{2k} in

xk+ykd=αε2kx_k+y_k\sqrt{d}=\alpha\varepsilon^{2k}

with εk\varepsilon^k, so that yky_k is the coefficient of d\sqrt d in αεk\alpha\varepsilon^k. Generalized squares conjecture. There are at most four distinct integer squares among the yky_k. If ∣Nα∣|N_{\alpha}| is a prime power or a perfect square, then there are at most three distinct integer squares among the yky_k. This generalizes the first bound to the sequence obtained using all powers of the unit rather than only even powers, and remains unresolved in the supplied source.

References

Primary source

Paul M Voutier, “Bounds on the number of squares in recurrence sequences”, arXiv:2401.01293 (2025).

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