Difference between revisions of "2023 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 9"

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==Solution 2==
 
==Solution 2==
 
The smallest number that can be expressed as the difference of a pair of consecutive positive squares is 3, which is <math>2^2-1^2</math>. The largest number that can be expressed as the difference of a pair of consecutive positive squares that is less than or equal to 2023 is 2023, which is <math>1012^2-1011^1</math>. Since these numbers are in the form <math>(x+1)^2-x^2</math>, which is just <math>2x+1</math>.These numbers are just the odd numbers from 3 to 2023, so there are <math>[(2023-3)/2]+1=1011</math> numbers. The answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(B)}1011}</math>.
 
The smallest number that can be expressed as the difference of a pair of consecutive positive squares is 3, which is <math>2^2-1^2</math>. The largest number that can be expressed as the difference of a pair of consecutive positive squares that is less than or equal to 2023 is 2023, which is <math>1012^2-1011^1</math>. Since these numbers are in the form <math>(x+1)^2-x^2</math>, which is just <math>2x+1</math>.These numbers are just the odd numbers from 3 to 2023, so there are <math>[(2023-3)/2]+1=1011</math> numbers. The answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(B)}1011}</math>.
 +
 
~Aopsthedude
 
~Aopsthedude
  

Revision as of 22:22, 15 November 2023

Problem

The numbers 16 and 25 are a pair of consecutive postive squares whose difference is 9. How many pairs of consecutive positive perfect squares have a difference of less than or equal to 2023?

$\text{(A)}\ 674 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 1011 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 1010 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 2019 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 2017$

Solution 1

Let m be the square root of the smaller of the two perfect squares. Then, $(m+1)^2 - m^2 = m^2+2m+1-m^2 = 2m+1 \le 2023$. Thus, $m \le 1011$. So there are $\boxed{\text{(B)}1011}$ numbers that satisfy the equation.

~andliu766

Minor corrections by ~milquetoast

Note from ~milquetoast: Alternatively, you can let m be the square root of the larger number, but if you do that, keep in mind that $m=1$ must be rejected, since $(m-1)$ cannot be $0$.

Solution 2

The smallest number that can be expressed as the difference of a pair of consecutive positive squares is 3, which is $2^2-1^2$. The largest number that can be expressed as the difference of a pair of consecutive positive squares that is less than or equal to 2023 is 2023, which is $1012^2-1011^1$. Since these numbers are in the form $(x+1)^2-x^2$, which is just $2x+1$.These numbers are just the odd numbers from 3 to 2023, so there are $[(2023-3)/2]+1=1011$ numbers. The answer is $\boxed{\text{(B)}1011}$.

~Aopsthedude

See also

2023 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 8
Followed by
Problem 10
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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