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Difference between revisions of "1975 AHSME Problems/Problem 22"
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==Problem==
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If <math>p</math> and <math>q</math> are primes and <math>x^2-px+q=0</math> has distinct positive integral roots, then which of the following statements are true?
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<math>
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I.\ \text{The difference of the roots is odd.} \\
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II.\ \text{At least one root is prime.} \\
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III.\ p^2-q\ \text{is prime}.
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IV.\ p+q \text{is prime}
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</math>
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<math>
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\textbf{(A)}\ I\ \text{only} \qquad
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\textbf{(B)}\ II\ \text{only} \qquad
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\textbf{(C)}\ II\ \text{and}\ III\ \text{only} \\
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\textbf{(D)}\ I, II, \text{and}\ IV \text{only} \qquad
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\textbf{(E)}\ \text{All are true.}
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</math>
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==Solution
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Since the roots are both positive integers, we can say that <math>x^2-px+q=(x-1)(x-q)</math> since <math>q</math> only has <math>2</math> divisors. Thus, the roots are <math>1</math> and <math>q</math> and <math>p=q+1</math>. The only two primes which differ by <math>1</math> are <math>2,3</math> so <math>p=3</math> and <math>q=2</math>.  
 
Since the roots are both positive integers, we can say that <math>x^2-px+q=(x-1)(x-q)</math> since <math>q</math> only has <math>2</math> divisors. Thus, the roots are <math>1</math> and <math>q</math> and <math>p=q+1</math>. The only two primes which differ by <math>1</math> are <math>2,3</math> so <math>p=3</math> and <math>q=2</math>.  
 
<math>I</math> is true because <math>3-2=1</math>.
 
<math>I</math> is true because <math>3-2=1</math>.

Revision as of 16:44, 19 January 2021

Problem

If $p$ and $q$ are primes and $x^2-px+q=0$ has distinct positive integral roots, then which of the following statements are true?

$I.\ \text{The difference of the roots is odd.} \\ II.\ \text{At least one root is prime.} \\ III.\ p^2-q\ \text{is prime}. IV.\ p+q \text{is prime}$

$\textbf{(A)}\ I\ \text{only} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ II\ \text{only} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ II\ \text{and}\ III\ \text{only} \\ \textbf{(D)}\ I, II, \text{and}\ IV \text{only} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \text{All are true.}$

==Solution

Since the roots are both positive integers, we can say that $x^2-px+q=(x-1)(x-q)$ since $q$ only has $2$ divisors. Thus, the roots are $1$ and $q$ and $p=q+1$. The only two primes which differ by $1$ are $2,3$ so $p=3$ and $q=2$. $I$ is true because $3-2=1$. $II$ is true because one of the roots is $2$ which is prime. $III$ is true because $3^2-2=7$ is prime. $IV$ is true because $2+3=5$ is prime. Thus, the answer is $\textbf{(E)}$. -brainiacmaniac31

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