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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

Let be an increasing arithmetic sequence of integers. If , what is ?
Solution
The only ways to write 13 as the product of two integers is as or . We take these two cases separately.

In the case , we must have and , since the sequence is increasing. Then the common difference is , so , and , so .

In the case , we must have and . Then the common difference is , so , and , so .

Hence, .
Final answer
-275