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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

How many positive integers less than 100 have a corresponding integer divisible by 3 such that the roots of are consecutive positive integers?
Solution
In the quadratic , the roots sum to and multiply to . Therefore, for , we know that the sum of the roots is and the product of the roots is . The requirement that be an integer with along with the requirement that the roots are consecutive positive integers leaves us with 49 possible values of : . Of these values of , the corresponding value of would be . In order for to be divisible by 3, thus, one of the roots has to be divisible by three. The values of in satisfy that requirement, but in they do not. This eliminates one third of the possibilities for . Since is disqualified, we are left with possible values of .
Final answer
32