2024 AMC 12A Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2024 AMC 12A 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 2024 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Let $M$ be the greatest integer such that both $M+1213$ and $M+3773$ are perfect squares. What is the units digit of $M?$

$1$

$2$

$3$

$6$

$8$

Answer: E

Concepts:difference of squares perfect square optimization

Difficulty rating: 1510

Solution:

Write $M+1213=a^2$ and $M+3773=b^2,$ so $b^2-a^2=2560,$ i.e. $(b-a)(b+a)=2560.$ Both factors have the same parity, hence both even. To maximize $a$ (and thus $M$ ), minimize $b-a:$ take $b-a=2,\ b+a=1280,$ so $a=639.$ Then $M=639^2-1213$ $=408321-1213$ $=407108,$ whose units digit is $8.$ Thus, the correct answer is E.

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