2010 AMC 10A Problem 21
Problem 21 of 25HarderAlgebraNumber Theory
The polynomial has three positive integer zeros. What is the smallest possible value of
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Solution
Let the roots be positive integers By Vieta’s formulas, and
Since one root must be divisible by If that root is larger than then it is at least which is already worse than the construction below.
Thus take and minimize with The factor pair with smallest sum is and so
Thus, A is the correct answer.