AoPSWiki
Want to learn how to tackle those tough MATHCOUNTS and AMC counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
Personal tools

Mock AIME 4 2006-2007 Problems/Problem 9

From AoPSWiki

Problem

Compute the smallest positive integer k such that the fraction

\frac{7k+100}{5k-3}

is reducible.

Solution

Suppose p>1 is a common divisor of 7k+100 and 5k-3. Then p also divides a\cdot (7k+100) + b\cdot (5k-3) for integers a,b. Putting a=5 and b=-7 gives p|521. Since 521 is prime and p>1, we have p=521. Thus 521 divides 5k-3, or 5k-3\equiv0\pmod {521} or k\equiv 209\pmod {521}. Since we are looking for the smallest positive solution, our answer is 209.


Visit the AoPS Book Store.
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us