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Difference between revisions of "2018 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 11"

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==Solution 3==
 
==Solution 3==
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From Fermat's Little Theorom, <math>p^2 \equiv 1\pmod 3</math> if <math>p</math> is coprime with <math>3</math>.
 
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So for any <math>n\equiv2\pmod3</math>, <math>p^2+n \equiv 0\pmod 3</math> - divisible by 3, so not a prime.
 
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The only choice <math>\equiv2\pmod3</math> is <math>\boxed{(\textbf{C})}</math>
 
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==Solution 4==
 
 
Primes can only be <math>1</math> or <math>-1\mod 6</math>. Therefore, the square of a prime can only be <math>1\mod 6</math>. <math>p^2+26</math> then must be <math>3\mod 6</math>, so it is always divisible by <math>3</math>. Therefore, the answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(C)}}</math>.
 
Primes can only be <math>1</math> or <math>-1\mod 6</math>. Therefore, the square of a prime can only be <math>1\mod 6</math>. <math>p^2+26</math> then must be <math>3\mod 6</math>, so it is always divisible by <math>3</math>. Therefore, the answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(C)}}</math>.
  

Revision as of 19:59, 3 September 2018

Which of the following expressions is never a prime number when $p$ is a prime number?

$\textbf{(A) } p^2+16 \qquad \textbf{(B) } p^2+24 \qquad \textbf{(C) } p^2+26 \qquad \textbf{(D) } p^2+46 \qquad \textbf{(E) } p^2+96$

Solution 1

Because squares of a non-multiple of 3 is always $1\mod 3$, the only expression is always a multiple of $3$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) } p^2+26}$. This is excluding when $p=0\mod3$, which only occurs when $p=3$, then $p^2+26=35$ which is still composite.

Solution 2 (Not Recommended Solution)

We proceed with guess and check: $5^2+16=41 \qquad 7^2+24=73 \qquad 5^2+46=71 \qquad 19^2+96=457$. Clearly only $\boxed{(\textbf{C})}$ is our only option left. (franchester)

Solution 3

Primes can only be $1$ or $-1\mod 6$. Therefore, the square of a prime can only be $1\mod 6$. $p^2+26$ then must be $3\mod 6$, so it is always divisible by $3$. Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{\text{(C)}}$.

See Also

2018 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 10 		Followed by
Problem 12
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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