Difference between revisions of "2001 IMO Problems/Problem 6"

(See also)
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
6<math>K > L > M > N</math> are positive integers such that <math>KM + LN = (K + L - M + N)(-K + L + M + N)</math>. Prove that <math>KL + MN</math> is not prime.
+
== Problem 6 ==
 +
<math>K > L > M > N</math> are positive integers such that <math>KM + LN = (K + L - M + N)(-K + L + M + N)</math>. Prove that <math>KL + MN</math> is not prime.
 +
 
 +
==Solution==
 +
 
 +
 
 +
First, <math>(KL+MN)-(KM+LN)=(K-N)(L-M)>0</math> as <math>K>N</math> and <math>L>M</math>.  Thus, <math>KL+MN>KM+LN</math>. 
 +
 
 +
Similarly, <math>(KM+LN)-(KN+LM)=(K-L)(M-N)>0</math> since <math>K>L</math> and <math>M>N</math>.  Thus, <math>KM+LN>KN+LM</math>. 
 +
 
 +
Putting the two together, we have
 +
<cmath>KL+MN>KM+LN>KN+LM</cmath>
 +
 
 +
Now, we have:
 +
<cmath>(K+L-M+N)(-K+L+M+N)=KM+LN</cmath>
 +
<cmath>-K^2+KM+L^2+LN+KM-M^2+LN+N^2=KM+LN</cmath>
 +
<cmath>L^2+LN+N^2=K^2-KM+M^2</cmath>
 +
So, we have:
 +
<cmath>(KM+LN)(L^2+LN+N^2)=KM(L^2+LN+N^2)+LN(L^2+LN+N^2)</cmath>
 +
<cmath>=KM(L^2+LN+N^2)+LN(K^2-KM+M^2)</cmath>
 +
<cmath>=KML^2+KMN^2+K^2LN+LM^2N</cmath>
 +
<cmath>=(KL+MN)(KN+LM)</cmath>
 +
Thus, it follows that <cmath>(KM+LN) \mid (KL+MN)(KN+LM).</cmath> 
 +
Now, since <math>KL+MN>KM+LN</math> if <math>KL+MN</math> is prime, then there are no common factors between the two.  So, in order to have <cmath>(KM+LN)\mid (KL+MN)(KN+LM),</cmath> we would have to have <cmath>(KM+LN) \mid (KN+LM).</cmath> This is impossible as <math>KM+LN>KN+LM</math>.  Thus, <math>KL+MN</math> must be composite.
 +
 
 +
==See also==
 +
{{IMO box|num-b=5|after=Last Problem|year=2001}}
 +
 
 +
[[Category: Olympiad Number Theory Problems]]

Latest revision as of 23:23, 18 November 2023

Problem 6

$K > L > M > N$ are positive integers such that $KM + LN = (K + L - M + N)(-K + L + M + N)$. Prove that $KL + MN$ is not prime.

Solution

First, $(KL+MN)-(KM+LN)=(K-N)(L-M)>0$ as $K>N$ and $L>M$. Thus, $KL+MN>KM+LN$.

Similarly, $(KM+LN)-(KN+LM)=(K-L)(M-N)>0$ since $K>L$ and $M>N$. Thus, $KM+LN>KN+LM$.

Putting the two together, we have \[KL+MN>KM+LN>KN+LM\]

Now, we have: \[(K+L-M+N)(-K+L+M+N)=KM+LN\] \[-K^2+KM+L^2+LN+KM-M^2+LN+N^2=KM+LN\] \[L^2+LN+N^2=K^2-KM+M^2\] So, we have: \[(KM+LN)(L^2+LN+N^2)=KM(L^2+LN+N^2)+LN(L^2+LN+N^2)\] \[=KM(L^2+LN+N^2)+LN(K^2-KM+M^2)\] \[=KML^2+KMN^2+K^2LN+LM^2N\] \[=(KL+MN)(KN+LM)\] Thus, it follows that \[(KM+LN) \mid (KL+MN)(KN+LM).\] Now, since $KL+MN>KM+LN$ if $KL+MN$ is prime, then there are no common factors between the two. So, in order to have \[(KM+LN)\mid (KL+MN)(KN+LM),\] we would have to have \[(KM+LN) \mid (KN+LM).\] This is impossible as $KM+LN>KN+LM$. Thus, $KL+MN$ must be composite.

See also

2001 IMO (Problems) • Resources
Preceded by
Problem 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 Followed by
Last Problem
All IMO Problems and Solutions