2022 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 17

Problem

One of the following numbers is not divisible by any prime number less than 10. Which is it? $\textbf{(A) } 2^{606}-1 \qquad\textbf{(B) } 2^{606}+1 \qquad\textbf{(C) } 2^{607}-1 \qquad\textbf{(D) } 2^{607}+1\qquad\textbf{(E) } 2^{607}+3^{607}$

Solution

For A, modulo 3, $\begin{align*} 2^{606} - 1 & \equiv (-1)^{606} - 1 \\ & \equiv 1 - 1 \\ & \equiv 0 . \end{align*}$

Thus, $2^{606} - 1$ is divisible by 3.

For B, modulo 5, $\begin{align*} 2^{606} + 1 & \equiv 2^{{\rm Rem} ( 606, \phi(5) )} + 1 \\ & \equiv 2^{{\rm Rem} ( 606, 4 )} + 1 \\ & \equiv 2^2 + 1 \\ & \equiv 0 . \end{align*}$

Thus, $2^{606} + 1$ is divisible by 5.

For D, modulo 3, $\begin{align*} 2^{607} + 1 & \equiv (-1)^{607} + 1 \\ & \equiv - 1 + 1 \\ & \equiv 0 . \end{align*}$

Thus, $2^{607} + 1$ is divisible by 3.

For E, module 5, $\begin{align*} 2^{607} + 3^{607} & \equiv 2^{607} + (-2)^{607} \\ & \equiv 2^{607} - 2^{607} \\ & \equiv 0 . \end{align*}$

Thus, $2^{607} + 3^{607}$ is divisible by 5.

Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) }2^{607} - 1}$ .

~Steven Chen (Professor Chen Education Palace, www.professorchenedu.com)

~MrThinker (LaTeX Error)

Solution 2 (Factoring)

$2^{606}-1=4^{303}-1=(4-1)(4^{302}+4^{301}+4^{300}+\dots+4^0)$ . A is divisible by 3.

$2^{606}+1=4^{303}+1=(4+1)(4^{302}-4^{301}+4^{300}-\dots+4^0)$ . B is divisible by 5.

$2^{607}+1=(2+1)(2^{606}-2^{605}+2^{604}-\dots+2^0)$ . D is divisible by 3.

$2^{607}+3^{607}=(2+3)[(2^{606})(3^0)-(2^{605})(3^1)+(2^{604})(3^2)-\dots+(2^0)(3^{606})]$ . E is divisible by 5.

Since all of the other choices have been eliminated, we are left with $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}2^{607}-1}$ .

~not_slay

Solution 2 (Elimination)

Mersenne Primes are primes of the form $2^n-1$ , where $n$ is prime. Using the process of elimination, we can eliminate every option except for $\textbf{(A)}$ and $\textbf{(C)}$ . Clearly, $606$ isn't prime, so the answer must be $\boxed{\textbf{(C) }2^{607}-1}$ .

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/YF3HPVcVGZk

~Steven Chen (Professor Chen Education Palace, www.professorchenedu.com)

2022 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 16	Followed by Problem 18
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