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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

What is the greatest integer such that is prime?
Solution
We can factor the quadratic as . So we have . In order for to be prime, its only divisors must be and itself. Thus one of or must be equal to .

If , then or . These equations yield and , respectively. We throw out since it is not an integer, and keep as a candidate.

If , then , in which case and , or , in which case and .

Thus our candidates for the greatest are , and . It remains to check whether the other factor is prime. We first check . Since , we know , which is prime. Thus is the largest integer for which is prime.
Final answer
8