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2008 AMC 10A Problem 9

Problem 9 of 25EasierAlgebraNumber Theory

Suppose that 2x3x6 \dfrac{2x}{3} - \dfrac{x}{6} is an integer. Which of the following statements must be true about x?x?

Answer choices

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Solution

Combining over a common denominator, 2x3x6=4xx6=x2.\dfrac{2x}{3} - \dfrac{x}{6} = \dfrac{4x - x}{6} = \dfrac{x}{2}. For x2\dfrac{x}{2} to be an integer, xx must be even. The example x=4x = 4 shows that xx need not be a multiple of 33 and rules out the other statements. Thus, the correct answer is B.

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Concepts: fraction · parity · divisibility

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