1951 AHSME Problems/Problem 15

Problem

The largest number by which the expression $n^3 - n$ is divisible for all possible integral values of $n$ , is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 2 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 6$

Solution

Factoring the polynomial gives $(n+1)(n)(n-1)$ According to the factorization, one of those factors must be a multiple of two because there are more than 2 consecutive integers. In addition, because there are three consecutive integers, one of the integers must be a multiple of 3. Therefore $6$ must divide the given expression. Plugging in $n=2$ yields $6$ . So the largest possibility is $6$ .

Clearly the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)} \ 6}$

1951 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 14	Followed by Problem 16
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1951 AHSME Problems/Problem 15

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