An exponential diophantine equation related to odd perfect numbers

Abstract

We shall show that, for any given primes $\ell\geq 17$ and $p, q\equiv 1\pmod{\ell}$, the diophantine equation $(x^\ell-1)/(x-1)=p^m q$ has at most four positive integral solutions $(x, m)$ and give its application to odd perfect number problem.