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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

If and , how many lattice points does the line pass through? (A lattice point is a point with integer coordinates.)
Solution
We look at the -intercept and the -intercept. Since , at , and at , the -intercept is and the -intercept is . In order to keep both and integral, we investigate further. Since the slope is , a negative integer, and must be a nonnegative integer, must be a nonpositive integer. This means that all the integer values between 0 and , inclusive are valid, since and so . Therefore, there are total lattice points.
Final answer
10