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Difference between revisions of "2024 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 15"
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~MRENTHUSIASM ~Tacos_are_yummy_1
 
~MRENTHUSIASM ~Tacos_are_yummy_1
  
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==Solution 2 (not rigorous)==
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==Solution 2 (not rigorously proven)==
  
 
We assume that when the maximum values are achieved, the two squares are consecutive squares. However, since both have the same parity, the closest we can get to this is that they are 1 square apart.  
 
We assume that when the maximum values are achieved, the two squares are consecutive squares. However, since both have the same parity, the closest we can get to this is that they are 1 square apart.  

Revision as of 17:38, 8 November 2024

Problem

Let $M$ be the greatest integer such that both $M+1213$ and $M+3773$ are perfect squares. What is the units digit of $M$?

$\textbf{(A) }1\qquad\textbf{(B) }2\qquad\textbf{(C) }3\qquad\textbf{(D) }6\qquad\textbf{(E) }8$

Solution 1

Let $M+1213=P^2$ and $M+3773=Q^2$ for some positive integers $P$ and $Q.$ We subtract the first equation from the second, then apply the difference of squares: \[(Q+P)(Q-P)=2560.\] Note that $Q+P$ and $Q-P$ have the same parity, and $Q+P>Q-P.$

We wish to maximize both $P$ and $Q,$ so we maximize $Q+P$ and minimize $Q-P.$ It follows that \begin{align*} Q+P&=1280, \\ Q-P&=2, \end{align*} from which $(P,Q)=(639,641).$

Finally, we get $M=P^2-1213=Q^2=3773\equiv1-3\equiv8\pmod{10},$ so the units digit of $M$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(E) }8}.$

~MRENTHUSIASM ~Tacos_are_yummy_1

Solution 2 (not rigorously proven)

We assume that when the maximum values are achieved, the two squares are consecutive squares. However, since both have the same parity, the closest we can get to this is that they are 1 square apart.

Let the square between $M+1213$ and $M+3773$ be $x^2$. So, we have $M+1213 = (x-1)^2$ and $M+3773 = (x+1)^2$. Subtracting the two, we have $(M+3773)-(M+1213) = (x+1)^2 - (x-1)^2$, which yields $2560 = 4x$, which leads to $x = 640$. Therefore, the two squares are $639^2$ and $641^2$, which both have units digit $1$. Since both $1213$ and $3773$ have units digit $3$, $M$ will have units digit $\boxed{\textbf{(E) }8}$.

~i_am_suk_at_math_2

See also

2024 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 14 		Followed by
Problem 16
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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