Difference between revisions of "2005 AIME II Problems/Problem 13"

(Solution 1)
(Solution 2)
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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
  
=== Solution 2 ===
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=== Solution 1 ===
  
 
As above, we define <math>Q(x)=P(x)-x+7</math>, noting that it has roots at <math>17</math> and <math>24</math>. Hence <math>P(x)-x+7=A(x-17)(x-24)</math>. In particular, this means that  
 
As above, we define <math>Q(x)=P(x)-x+7</math>, noting that it has roots at <math>17</math> and <math>24</math>. Hence <math>P(x)-x+7=A(x-17)(x-24)</math>. In particular, this means that  

Revision as of 22:45, 14 February 2016

Problem

Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients that satisfies $P(17)=10$ and $P(24)=17.$ Given that $P(n)=n+3$ has two distinct integer solutions $n_1$ and $n_2,$ find the product $n_1\cdot n_2.$

Solution

Solution 1

As above, we define $Q(x)=P(x)-x+7$, noting that it has roots at $17$ and $24$. Hence $P(x)-x+7=A(x-17)(x-24)$. In particular, this means that $P(x)-x-3=A(x-17)(x-24)-10$. Therefore, $x=n_1,n_2$ satisfy $A(x-17)(x-24)=10$, where $A$, $(x-17)$, and $(x-24)$ are integers. This cannot occur if $x\le 17$ or $x\ge 24$ because the product $(x-17)(x-24)$ will either be too large or not be a divisor of $10$. We find that $x=19$ and $x=22$ are the only values that allow $(x-17)(x-24)$ to be a factor of $10$. Hence the answer is $19\cdot 22=\boxed{418}$.

See also

2005 AIME II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 12
Followed by
Problem 14
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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