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2008 AMC 12A Problem 5

Problem 5 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 the fractions, 2x3x6=4xx6=x2. \dfrac{2x}{3} - \dfrac{x}{6} = \dfrac{4x - x}{6} = \dfrac{x}{2}. This is an integer exactly when xx is even. The example x=4x = 4 is even but not a multiple of 3,3, which rules out every other statement. Thus, B is the correct answer.

More practice

Concepts: algebraic manipulation · parity

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