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2020 AMC 10A Problem 17

Problem 17 of 25IntermediateAlgebraCounting & Probability

Define P(x)=(x12)(x22)(x1002). \begin{aligned} P(x)={}&(x-1^2)(x-2^2)\\ &\cdots(x-100^2). \end{aligned} How many integers nn are there such that P(n)0?P(n)\leq 0?

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Solution

The polynomial changes sign at each square 12,22,,10021^2,2^2,\ldots,100^2, and its leading coefficient is positive. Thus P(n)0P(n)\le0 for integers in the intervals [12,22][1^2,2^2], [32,42][3^2,4^2], \ldots, [992,1002][99^2,100^2]. For odd kk, the interval [k2,(k+1)2][k^2,(k+1)^2] contains (k+1)2k2+1=2k+2(k+1)^2-k^2+1=2k+2 integers. Summing over odd k=1,3,,99k=1,3,\ldots,99 gives 2(1+3++99)2(1+3+\cdots+99) +250=5000+100+2\cdot50=5000+100 =5100=5100. Thus, E is the correct answer.

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Concepts: polynomial · inequality · counting integers in a range

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