2002 AMC 10B Problem 16

Attempt Problem 16 of the 2002 AMC 10B 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 2002 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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16.

For how many integers nn is n20n\dfrac{n}{20 - n} the square of an integer?

11

22

33

44

1010

Answer: D
Concepts:Diophantine Equationdivisibilityperfect square
Difficulty rating: 1580
Small Hint:

Set n20n=k2\dfrac{n}{20 - n} = k^2 and solve for nn in terms of kk

Big Hint:

n=20k2k2+1n = \dfrac{20k^2}{k^2 + 1}; since k2k^2 and k2+1k^2 + 1 are coprime, 2020 is divisible by k2+1k^2 + 1

Solution:

Suppose n20n=k2\dfrac{n}{20 - n} = k^2 for some integer k0.k \ge 0. Solving, n=20k2k2+1.n = \dfrac{20k^2}{k^2 + 1}.

Since k2k^2 and k2+1k^2 + 1 share no common factor, k2+1k^2 + 1 must divide 20.20. This happens only for k=0,k = 0, 1,1, 2,2, 3,3, giving k2+1=1,k^2 + 1 = 1, 2,2, 5,5, 10.10.

The corresponding values n=0,n = 0, 10,10, 16,16, 1818 are all integers, so there are 44 such n.n.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

Problem 15#15
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