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PrintUSA IMO TST
United States number theory
Problem
Determine all integers for which there exist positive integers such that and divides .
Solution
The answer is composite.
Composite construction Write , where are positive integers. Let , , , . Then so this works.
Prime proof Choose suitable . Then Hence divides a product of positive integers less than , so is composite.
Remark. Here is another proof that is composite. Suppose that is prime. Then the polynomial is even, so the roots come in two opposite pairs in . Thus the sum of each pair is at least , so the sum of all four is at least , contradiction.
Composite construction Write , where are positive integers. Let , , , . Then so this works.
Prime proof Choose suitable . Then Hence divides a product of positive integers less than , so is composite.
Remark. Here is another proof that is composite. Suppose that is prime. Then the polynomial is even, so the roots come in two opposite pairs in . Thus the sum of each pair is at least , so the sum of all four is at least , contradiction.
Final answer
All composite integers at least 4
Techniques
Factorization techniquesPrime numbersPolynomials mod pField Theory