2024 AMC 10B Problem 13

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 13 of the 2024 AMC 10B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2024 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:radicalprime factorizationoptimization

Difficulty rating: 1560

13.

Positive integers xx and yy satisfy the equation x+y=1183.\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y} = \sqrt{1183}. What is the minimum possible value of x+y?x + y?

585585

595595

623623

700700

791791

Solution:

Since 1183=7169=7132,1183 = 7 \cdot 169 = 7 \cdot 13^2, we have 1183=137.\sqrt{1183} = 13\sqrt7. Square x+y=137\sqrt x + \sqrt y = 13\sqrt7 to get x+y+2xy=1183.x + y + 2\sqrt{xy} = 1183. So xy\sqrt{xy} is rational, which forces each of x,yx, y to be 77 times a perfect square: x=7a2,x = 7a^2, y=7b2y = 7b^2 with a+b=13.a + b = 13. Now x+y=7(a2+b2),x + y = 7(a^2 + b^2), smallest when aa and bb are as equal as we can make them. Take a=6,a = 6, b=7b = 7 for 7(36+49)=595.7(36 + 49) = 595. Thus, B is the correct answer.

Problem 13 in Other Years