2019 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 9

Revision as of 18:26, 9 February 2019 by Lcz (talk | contribs) (Solution)

Problem

What is the greatest three-digit positive integer $n$ for which the sum of the first $n$ positive integers is $\underline{not}$ a divisor of the product of the first $n$ positive integers?

$\textbf{(A) } 995 \qquad\textbf{(B) } 996 \qquad\textbf{(C) } 997 \qquad\textbf{(D) } 998 \qquad\textbf{(E) } 999$

Solution

Because the sum of $n$ positive integers is $(n)(n+1)/2$, and we want this to not be a divisor of the $n!$, $n+1$ must be prime. The greatest three-digit integer that is prime is $997$. Subtract $1$ to get $996 => B$ -Lcz

See Also

2019 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 8
Followed by
Problem 10
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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