2003 AMC 10B Problem 18

Attempt Problem 18 of the 2003 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 2003 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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18.

What is the largest integer that is a divisor of

(n+1)(n+3)(n+5)(n+7)(n+9) \begin{aligned} &(n+1)(n+3)(n+5) \\ &\quad {}\cdot (n+7)(n+9) \end{aligned}

for all positive even integers n?n?

33

55

1111

1515

165165

Answer: D
Concepts:divisibilitygreatest common divisor
Difficulty rating: 1480
Solution:

For even n,n, the factors are five consecutive odd numbers. Among any five consecutive odd numbers, at least one is divisible by 33 and exactly one by 5,5, so the product is always divisible by 15.15.

To prove that no larger fixed divisor is forced, compare three cases: n=2:357911,n=10:1113151719,n=12:1315171921. \begin{aligned} n=2 &: 3\cdot5\cdot7\cdot9\cdot11,\\ n=10 &: 11\cdot13\cdot15\cdot17\cdot19,\\ n=12 &: 13\cdot15\cdot17\cdot19\cdot21. \end{aligned} The greatest common divisor of these three products is exactly 15,15, so a divisor common to every case cannot be any larger.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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