Difference between revisions of "1977 Canadian MO Problems/Problem 3"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
Rewriting <math>N</math> in base <math>10,</math> <math>N=7(b^2+b+1)=a^4</math> for some integer <math>a.</math> Because <math>7\mid a^4</math> and <math>7</math> is prime, <math>a \ge 7^4.</math> Since we want to minimize <math>b,</math> we check to see if <math>a=7^4</math> works.
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Rewriting <math>N</math> in base <math>10,</math> <math>N=7(b^2+b+1)=a^4</math> for some integer <math>a.</math> Because <math>7\mid a^4</math> and <math>7</math> is prime, <math>a^4 \ge 7^4.</math> Since we want to minimize <math>b,</math> we check to see if <math>a=7</math> works.
  
  
When <math>a=7^4,</math> <math>b^2+b+1=7^3.</math> Solving this quadratic, <math>b = 18 </math>.
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When <math>a=7,</math> <math>b^2+b+1=7^3.</math> Solving this quadratic, <math>b = 18 </math>.
  
  

Latest revision as of 01:45, 19 August 2012

Problem

$N$ is an integer whose representation in base $b$ is $777.$ Find the smallest positive integer $b$ for which $N$ is the fourth power of an integer.

Solution

Rewriting $N$ in base $10,$ $N=7(b^2+b+1)=a^4$ for some integer $a.$ Because $7\mid a^4$ and $7$ is prime, $a^4 \ge 7^4.$ Since we want to minimize $b,$ we check to see if $a=7$ works.


When $a=7,$ $b^2+b+1=7^3.$ Solving this quadratic, $b = 18$.


1977 Canadian MO (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Followed by
Problem 4