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2002 AMC 10B Problem 16

Problem 16 of 25IntermediateNumber Theory

For how many integers nn is n20n\dfrac{n}{20 - n} the square of an integer?

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Solution

Suppose n20n=k2\dfrac{n}{20 - n} = k^2 for some integer k0.k \ge 0. Solving, n=20k2k2+1.n = \dfrac{20k^2}{k^2 + 1}. Since k2k^2 and k2+1k^2 + 1 share no common factor, k2+1k^2 + 1 must divide 20.20. This happens only for k=0,k = 0, 1,1, 2,2, 3,3, giving k2+1=1,k^2 + 1 = 1, 2,2, 5,5, 10.10. The corresponding values n=0,n = 0, 10,10, 16,16, 1818 are all integers, so there are 44 such n.n. Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Concepts: Diophantine Equation · divisibility · perfect square

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.