2013 AMC 12B Problem 22
Problem 22 of 25HarderAlgebraNumber Theory
Let and be integers. Suppose that the product of the solutions for of the equation
is the smallest possible integer. What is
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Solution
Writing and the equation becomes a quadratic in whose roots sum to Hence where For each prime dividing let its exponents in be Then An odd is impossible. If then is a multiple of and this prime contributes at least but some other prime must divide If is positive, its contribution to is at least if then and the least contribution is Every other positive even gives more. Thus the minimum uses only with giving and So Thus, the correct answer is A.