Difference between revisions of "2019 AIME I Problems/Problem 14"

(Solution)
m (Solution 2 the above is much better)
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Find the least odd prime factor of <math>2019^8 + 1</math>.
 
Find the least odd prime factor of <math>2019^8 + 1</math>.
  
==Solution 2 the above is much better==
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==Solution 2 the solution in the chat is better and should be sol 1==
 
Essentially, we are trying to find the smallest prime p such that <math>2019^8 \equiv -1 (\mod p)</math>. This congruence tells us that <math>2019^{16} \equiv 1 (\mod p)</math>. Therefore, the order of 2019 modulo p is a divisor of 16, but not a divisor of 8. This tells us that the order of 2019 modulo p is exactly 16 since it is the only possibility. We know that the order of 2019 modulo p is a divisor of <math>\phi(p)</math>, which is just p-1 because p is prime.Thus, we have <math>16|p-1</math>. Now, we just test up. 17 does not work, because <math>2019^8 +1</math> reduces to 2 modulo 17. The reason this does not work is because <math>2019^8</math> reduces to 1, not -1 modulo 17. Since, 33, 49, 65, and 81 are all composite, we are able to skip those cases. This brings us to 97, which gives  
 
Essentially, we are trying to find the smallest prime p such that <math>2019^8 \equiv -1 (\mod p)</math>. This congruence tells us that <math>2019^{16} \equiv 1 (\mod p)</math>. Therefore, the order of 2019 modulo p is a divisor of 16, but not a divisor of 8. This tells us that the order of 2019 modulo p is exactly 16 since it is the only possibility. We know that the order of 2019 modulo p is a divisor of <math>\phi(p)</math>, which is just p-1 because p is prime.Thus, we have <math>16|p-1</math>. Now, we just test up. 17 does not work, because <math>2019^8 +1</math> reduces to 2 modulo 17. The reason this does not work is because <math>2019^8</math> reduces to 1, not -1 modulo 17. Since, 33, 49, 65, and 81 are all composite, we are able to skip those cases. This brings us to 97, which gives  
 
<math>2019^8 \equiv (-18)^8 \equiv 324^4 \equiv 33^4 \equiv 1089^2 \equiv 22^2 \equiv 96 (\mod 97)</math>.
 
<math>2019^8 \equiv (-18)^8 \equiv 324^4 \equiv 33^4 \equiv 1089^2 \equiv 22^2 \equiv 96 (\mod 97)</math>.

Revision as of 19:40, 14 March 2019

The 2019 AIME I takes place on March 13, 2019.

Problem 14

Find the least odd prime factor of $2019^8 + 1$.

Solution 2 the solution in the chat is better and should be sol 1

Essentially, we are trying to find the smallest prime p such that $2019^8 \equiv -1 (\mod p)$. This congruence tells us that $2019^{16} \equiv 1 (\mod p)$. Therefore, the order of 2019 modulo p is a divisor of 16, but not a divisor of 8. This tells us that the order of 2019 modulo p is exactly 16 since it is the only possibility. We know that the order of 2019 modulo p is a divisor of $\phi(p)$, which is just p-1 because p is prime.Thus, we have $16|p-1$. Now, we just test up. 17 does not work, because $2019^8 +1$ reduces to 2 modulo 17. The reason this does not work is because $2019^8$ reduces to 1, not -1 modulo 17. Since, 33, 49, 65, and 81 are all composite, we are able to skip those cases. This brings us to 97, which gives $2019^8 \equiv (-18)^8 \equiv 324^4 \equiv 33^4 \equiv 1089^2 \equiv 22^2 \equiv 96 (\mod 97)$. Thus $2019^8 +1 \equiv 0 (\mod\boxed{97})$.

See Also

2019 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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