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2016/17 AHSMC Part 1 Problem 5

Problem 5 of 16

For any integer nn, the expression n2+3n+2n^2 + 3n + 2 cannot assume the value

Answer choices

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Solution

Since n2+3n+2=(n+1)(n+2)n^2 + 3n + 2 = (n+1)(n+2) it must be even. Thus, 375375 is not attainable. The other four numbers in the list can be attained using n=−1n = -1, n=0n = 0, n=9n = 9 and n=19n = 19, respectively. The answer is (D).