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2002 AMC 12B Problem 12

Problem 12 of 25IntermediateNumber Theory

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

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Solution

Set n20n=k2.\dfrac{n}{20-n}=k^2. Solving, n=20k2k2+1.n=\dfrac{20k^2}{k^2+1}. Since k2k^2 and k2+1k^2+1 are coprime, k2+1k^2+1 must divide 20,20, which happens only for k=0,1,2,3.|k|=0,1,2,3. The signs of kk do not change n;n; these give n=0,n=0, 10,10, 16,16, and 18,18, which is four values. Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Concepts: perfect square · divisibility

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