Difference between revisions of "1962 AHSME Problems/Problem 36"

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(Solution)
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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
{{solution}}
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It is obvious that x>10 , thus x=12 , y=3.
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Then, let x-8=2n , x-10=2n-2 , it can be written as 2n*(2n-2) = 2^y ,
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Also, n (n-1) = 2^y-2 , so, n only can be 2 , y=3, and the answer is <math>\boxed{B}</math>.

Revision as of 04:24, 1 December 2017

Problem

If both $x$ and $y$ are both integers, how many pairs of solutions are there of the equation $(x-8)(x-10) = 2^y$?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 0\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 1\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{more than 3}$

Solution

It is obvious that x>10 , thus x=12 , y=3. Then, let x-8=2n , x-10=2n-2 , it can be written as 2n*(2n-2) = 2^y , Also, n (n-1) = 2^y-2 , so, n only can be 2 , y=3, and the answer is $\boxed{B}$.