1986 AIME Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 1986 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 1986 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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5.

What is the largest positive integer nn for which n3+100n^3+100 is divisible by n+10?n+10?

Answer: 890
Concepts:divisibilitymodular arithmeticpolynomial
Difficulty rating: 1840
Small Hint:

Reduce n3+100n^3+100 modulo n+10n+10

Big Hint:

The condition makes n+10n+10 a positive divisor of a fixed integer

Solution:

Modulo n+10,n+10, we have n10.n\equiv-10. Thus n3+100(10)3+100900(modn+10). \begin{gathered} n^3+100 \equiv(-10)^3+100\\ \equiv-900\pmod{n+10}. \end{gathered} The condition is therefore equivalent to 900900 being divisible by n+10.n+10. Since nn is positive, n+10n+10 is a positive divisor of 900,900, and its largest possible value is 900.900. This gives n=90010=890.n=900-10=890.

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