1950 AHSME Problems/Problem 20

Problem

When $x^{13}+1$ is divided by $x-1$ , the remainder is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ -1\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 0\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{None of these answers}$

Solution

Solution 1

Using synthetic division, we get that the remainder is $\boxed{\textbf{(D)}\ 2}$ .

Solution 2

By the remainder theorem, the remainder is equal to the expression $x^{13}+1$ when $x=1.$ This gives the answer of $\boxed{(\mathrm{D})\ 2.}$

Solution 3

Note that $x^{13} - 1 = (x - 1)(x^{12} + x^{11} \cdots + 1)$ , so $x^{13} - 1$ is divisible by $x-1$ , meaning $(x^{13} - 1) + 2$ leaves a remainder of $\boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2.}$

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/z4-bFo2D3TU?list=PLZ6lgLajy7SZ4MsF6ytXTrVOheuGNnsqn&t=2485 - AMBRIGGS

1950 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 19	Followed by Problem 21
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All AHSME Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.

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