1985 AIME Problem 7

Attempt Problem 7 of the 1985 AIME below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1985 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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7.

Assume that a,a, b,b, c,c, and dd are positive integers such that a5=b4,a^5=b^4, c3=d2,c^3=d^2, and ca=19.c-a=19. Determine db.d-b.

Answer: 757
Concepts:perfect powerdifference of squaresDiophantine Equation
Difficulty rating: 2340
Small Hint:

Parametrize the solutions of a5=b4a^5=b^4 and c3=d2c^3=d^2

Big Hint:

Factor the resulting difference s2t4s^2-t^4

Solution:

Comparing prime exponents, write a=t4,b=t5,c=s2,d=s3 \begin{aligned} a&=t^4,\quad b=t^5,\\ c&=s^2,\quad d=s^3 \end{aligned} for positive integers s,s, t.t. Then (st2)(s+t2)=s2t4=19. (s-t^2)(s+t^2)=s^2-t^4=19. Since 1919 is prime, the factors are 11 and 19,19, giving s=10s=10 and t2=9.t^2=9. Thus t=3,t=3, and db=10335=1000243=757. \begin{aligned} d-b&=10^3-3^5\\ &=1000-243=757. \end{aligned}

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