2025 AMC 10B Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2025 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 2025 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

Let f(n)=n35n2+2n+8,f(n) = n^3 - 5n^2 + 2n + 8, and let g(n)=n36n2+5n+12.g(n) = n^3 - 6n^2 + 5n + 12. What is the sum of all integer values of nn for which f(n)g(n)\dfrac{f(n)}{g(n)} is also an integer?

22

33

44

55

66

Answer: A
Concepts:polynomialfactoringdivisibility
Difficulty rating: 1510
Small Hint:

Both cubics have n=1n = -1 as a root; factor each and cancel common factors

Big Hint:

The ratio simplifies to n2n3=1+1n3;\dfrac{n - 2}{n - 3} = 1 + \dfrac{1}{n - 3}; it is an integer only when n3n - 3 divides 11

Solution:

Factor both cubics: f(n)=(n+1)(n2)(n4)f(n) = (n + 1)(n - 2)(n - 4) and g(n)=(n+1)(n3)(n4).g(n) = (n + 1)(n - 3)(n - 4). Away from n{1,3,4},n \in \{-1, 3, 4\}, where gg vanishes or the ratio is 00,\tfrac{0}{0}, the common factors cancel and f(n)g(n)=n2n3=1+1n3.\dfrac{f(n)}{g(n)} = \dfrac{n - 2}{n - 3} = 1 + \dfrac{1}{n - 3}. That’s an integer only when n3=±1,n - 3 = \pm 1, so n=2n = 2 or n=4.n = 4. But n=4n = 4 kills g,g, so only n=2n = 2 survives, and the sum is 2.2. Therefore, the answer is A.

Problem 9#9
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