1987 AIME Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 1987 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 1987 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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5.

Find 3x2y23x^2y^2 if xx and yy are integers such that y2+3x2y2=30x2+517.y^2+3x^2y^2=30x^2+517.

Answer: 588
Concepts:factoringDiophantine Equationdivisibility
Difficulty rating: 2070
Small Hint:

Move a suitable multiple of 3x2+13x^2+1 to create a product

Big Hint:

Factor 507507 and use that 3x2+11(mod3)3x^2+1\equiv1\pmod3

Solution:

Rearranging gives (3x2+1)(y210)=507,(3x^2+1)(y^2-10)=507, where 507=3132.507=3\cdot13^2. The positive divisors of 507507 congruent to 1(mod3)1\pmod3 are 1,1, 13,13, 169.169. If 3x2+1=1,3x^2+1=1, then x2=0x^2=0 but y2=517,y^2=517, which is not a square. If 3x2+1=13,3x^2+1=13, then x2=4x^2=4 and y2=49.y^2=49. Finally, 3x2+1=1693x^2+1=169 gives x2=56,x^2=56, not a square. Therefore 3x2y2=3449=588.3x^2y^2=3\cdot4\cdot49=588.

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