Browse · harp
Printsmc
number theory senior
Problem
Find the least positive integer for which is a non-zero reducible fraction.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Solution
For the fraction to be reducible, the greatest common factor of the numerator and the denominator must be greater than . Using the Euclidean algorithm, we compute Since is prime, it follows that this GCD will be unless is a multiple of , which first occurs when , so the answer is .
Final answer
E