Difference between revisions of "1965 AHSME Problems/Problem 27"

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Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A) }0}</math>.
 
Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A) }0}</math>.
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== Solution 2 ==
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As in the other solution, let <math>h(y)=y^2+my+2</math>. By dividing <math>h(y)</math> by <math>(y-1)</math> (through either long or [[synthetic division|synthetic]] division), we get a remainder <math>R_1=m+3</math>. Similarly, dividing <math>h(y)</math> by <math>(y+1)</math> yields the remainder <math>R_2=3-m</math>. Setting <math>R_1=R_2</math>, we see that <math>m+3=3-m</math>, which only holds when <math>m=0</math>, which corresponds to answer choice <math>\fbox{\textbf{(A)}}</math>.
  
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==

Latest revision as of 20:21, 18 July 2024

Problem

When $y^2 + my + 2$ is divided by $y - 1$ the quotient is $f(y)$ and the remainder is $R_1$. When $y^2 + my + 2$ is divided by $y + 1$ the quotient is $g(y)$ and the remainder is $R_2$. If $R_1 = R_2$ then $m$ is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 0 \qquad  \textbf{(B) }\ 1 \qquad  \textbf{(C) }\ 2 \qquad  \textbf{(D) }\ - 1 \qquad  \textbf{(E) }\ \text{an undetermined constant}$

Solution

Let $h(y)=y^2+my+2$

$h(y)=y^2+my+2=f(y)(y-1)+R_1$

$h(y)=y^2+my+2=g(y)(y+1)+R_2$

$h(1)=3+m=R_1$

$h(-1)=3-m=R_2$

$m=0$

Thus, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(A) }0}$.


Solution 2

As in the other solution, let $h(y)=y^2+my+2$. By dividing $h(y)$ by $(y-1)$ (through either long or synthetic division), we get a remainder $R_1=m+3$. Similarly, dividing $h(y)$ by $(y+1)$ yields the remainder $R_2=3-m$. Setting $R_1=R_2$, we see that $m+3=3-m$, which only holds when $m=0$, which corresponds to answer choice $\fbox{\textbf{(A)}}$.

See Also

1965 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 26
Followed by
Problem 28
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