2002 AMC 12A Problem 12

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 12 of the 2002 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2002 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:Vieta’s Formulasprimeparity

Difficulty rating: 1350

12.

Both roots of the quadratic equation x263x+k=0x^2 - 63x + k = 0 are prime numbers. The number of possible values of kk is

00

11

22

44

more than four

Solution:

If the roots are primes pp and q,q, then by Vieta's formulas p+q=63p + q = 63 and pq=k.pq = k.

Since 6363 is odd, one prime must be even, namely 2,2, and the other is 61.61. Both are prime, so k=261=122k = 2\cdot 61 = 122 is the only possible value.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

Problem 12 in Other Years