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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

If is an integer and the root(s) of the quadratic expression are integers, find the sum of all possible values of .
Solution
By the quadratic equation, the roots of the equation are Thus we know that and are integers. We know that is an integer, so in order for the sum to be an integer, we must have that is an integer.

Let for some integer . Then we have , or and thus Since and are both integers, then their sum and difference must also both be integers, so they are either both or both since their product is 1. In either case, , so and . This is the only value of for which is an integer, and thus the only value of that makes the roots of the given quadratic integers, so .
Final answer
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