Browse · harp
Printimc
number theory intermediate
Problem
Let and be positive integers such that , , , and . Which of the following must be a divisor of ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
The GCD information tells us that divides , both and divide , both and divide , and divides . Note that we have the prime factorizations: Hence we have for some positive integers . Now if divides , then would be at least which is too large, hence does not divide . Similarly, if divides , then would be at least which is too large, so does not divide . Therefore, where neither nor divide . In other words, is divisible only by primes that are at least . The only possible value of between and and which fits this criterion is , so the answer is .
Final answer
D