2019 AMC 12B Problem 2

Attempt Problem 2 of the 2019 AMC 12B 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 2019 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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2.

Consider the statement, "If nn is not prime, then n2n-2 is prime." Which of the following values of nn is a counterexample to this statement?

1111

1515

1919

2121

2727

Answer: E
Concepts:counterexampleprime
Difficulty rating: 990
Solution:

A counterexample needs nn not prime (so the hypothesis holds) and n2n-2 not prime (so the conclusion fails).

Among the choices, 2727 is not prime and 272=2527-2=25 is not prime. The primes 1111 and 1919 fail the hypothesis, and 152=13,15-2=13, 212=1921-2=19 are prime.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

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