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Printsmc
number theory senior
Problem
For how many integers between and , inclusive, is an integer? (Recall that .)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
The main insight is that is always an integer. This is true because it is precisely the number of ways to split up objects into unordered groups of size . Thus, is an integer if , or in other words, if , is an integer. This condition is false precisely when or is prime, by Wilson's Theorem. There are primes between and , inclusive, so there are terms for which is potentially not an integer. It can be easily verified that the above expression is not an integer for as there are more factors of in the denominator than the numerator. Similarly, it can be verified that the above expression is not an integer for any prime , as there are more factors of p in the denominator than the numerator. Thus all values of n make the expression not an integer and the answer is . SideNote: Another method to prove that is always an integer is instead as follows using Number Theory. Notice that will divide the numerator times, since contains not one but two factors of Also, for notice that divides at least times. Thus, each integer from to will divide at least times, which proves such a lemma.
Final answer
D