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2021 Fall AMC 10B Problems/Problem 3

Problem

The expression $\frac{2021}{2020} - \frac{2020}{2021}$ is equal to the fraction $\frac{p}{q}$ in which $p$ and $q$ are positive integers whose greatest common divisor is ${ }1$. What is $p?$

$(\textbf{A})\: 1\qquad(\textbf{B}) \: 9\qquad(\textbf{C}) \: 2020\qquad(\textbf{D}) \: 2021\qquad(\textbf{E}) \: 4041$

Solution

We write the given expression as a single fraction: \[\frac{2021}{2020} - \frac{2020}{2021} = \frac{2021\cdot2021-2020\cdot2020}{2020\cdot2021}\] by cross multiplication. Then by factoring the numerator, we get \[\frac{2021\cdot2021-2020\cdot2020}{2020\cdot2021}=\frac{(2021-2020)(2021+2020)}{2020\cdot2021}.\] The question is asking for the numerator, so our answer is $2021+2020=4041,$ giving answer choice $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}}.$

~Aops-g5-gethsemanea2

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