Problem

Source: USA TST for EGMO 2019, Problem 4 (adapted from IMO TST Problem 4)

Tags: algebra, number theory



For every pair $(m, n)$ of positive integers, a positive real number $a_{m, n}$ is given. Assume that \[a_{m+1, n+1} = \frac{a_{m, n+1} a_{m+1, n} + 1}{a_{m, n}}\]for all positive integers $m$ and $n$. Suppose further that $a_{m, n}$ is an integer whenever $\min(m, n) \le 2$. Prove that $a_{m, n}$ is an integer for all positive integers $m$ and $n$.