Difference between revisions of "1991 AIME Problems/Problem 1"
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− | Define <math>a = x + y</math> and <math>b = xy</math>. Then <math>a + b = 71</math> and <math>ab = 880</math>. Solving these two equations yields a [[quadratic equation|quadratic]]: <math> | + | Define <math>a = x + y</math> and <math>b = xy</math>. Then <math>a + b = 71</math> and <math>ab = 880</math>. Solving these two equations yields a [[quadratic equation|quadratic]]: <math>a^2 - 71a + 880 = 0</math>, which [[factor]]s to <math>(a - 16)(a - 55) = 0</math>. Either <math>a = 16</math> and <math>b = 55</math> or <math>a = 55</math> and <math>b = 16</math>. For the first case, it is easy to see that <math>(x,y)</math> can be <math>(5,11)</math> (or vice versa). In the second case, since all factors of <math>16</math> must be <math>\le 16</math>, no two factors of <math>16</math> can sum greater than <math>32</math>, and so there are no integral solutions for <math>(x,y)</math>. The solution is <math>5^2 + 11^2 = 146</math>. |
=== Solution 2 === | === Solution 2 === | ||
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[[Category:Intermediate Algebra Problems]] | [[Category:Intermediate Algebra Problems]] | ||
+ | {{MAA Notice}} |
Revision as of 18:20, 4 July 2013
Problem
Find if and are positive integers such that
Solution
Solution 1
Define and . Then and . Solving these two equations yields a quadratic: , which factors to . Either and or and . For the first case, it is easy to see that can be (or vice versa). In the second case, since all factors of must be , no two factors of can sum greater than , and so there are no integral solutions for . The solution is .
Solution 2
Since , this can be factored to . As and are integers, the possible sets for (ignoring cases where since it is symmetrical) are . The second equation factors to . The only set with a factor of is , and checking shows that it is our solution.
See also
1991 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by First question |
Followed by Problem 2 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.