1956 AMC 12 Problem 34

Attempt Problem 34 of the 1956 AMC 12 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 1956 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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34.

If nn is any whole number, n2(n21)n^2(n^2-1) is always divisible by:

1212

2424

any multiple of 1212

12n12-n

1212 and 2424

Answer: A
Concepts:divisibilityconsecutive integersparity
Difficulty rating: 1770
Small Hint:

Factor the expression as n2(n1)(n+1)n^2(n-1)(n+1)

Big Hint:

Among three consecutive integers there is a multiple of 3,3, and the factors supply at least two powers of 22

Solution:

We have n2(n21)=n2(n1)(n+1). n^2(n^2-1)=n^2(n-1)(n+1). Among n1,n-1, n,n, and n+1,n+1, one is divisible by 3.3. If nn is even, n2n^2 is divisible by 4;4; if nn is odd, both n1n-1 and n+1n+1 are even, so their product is divisible by 4.4. Thus the expression is always divisible by 12.12. It is not always divisible by 24,24, since n=2n=2 gives 12.12.

Therefore, the correct answer is A.

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Problem 34 in Other Years

1950 AMC 12 · 1951 AMC 12 · 1952 AMC 12 · 1953 AMC 12 · 1954 AMC 12 · 1955 AMC 12 · 1957 AMC 12 · 1958 AMC 12 · 1959 AMC 12 · 1960 AMC 12 · 1961 AMC 12 · 1962 AMC 12 · 1963 AMC 12 · 1964 AMC 12 · 1965 AMC 12 · 1966 AMC 12 · 1967 AMC 12 · 1968 AMC 12 · 1969 AMC 12 · 1970 AMC 12 · 1971 AMC 12 · 1972 AMC 12 · 1973 AMC 12