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Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
What is the sum of all values of such that the equation has two distinct integer solutions?
Solution
We use the fact that the sum and product of the roots of a quadratic equation are given by and , respectively. Let the two roots of the equation be and . Then . However the only other restriction on and is that and that and are distinct integers. For each such possibility , we also have the possibility since . This gives two values of : and . Since these occur in such pairs, the sum of all possible values of is .
Alternatively, one can note that the only way to factor 4 into 2 distinct integer factors is and , so that the two possible values of are and , given a sum of .
Alternatively, one can note that the only way to factor 4 into 2 distinct integer factors is and , so that the two possible values of are and , given a sum of .
Final answer
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