Browse · MATH
Printjmc
algebra junior
Problem
Both roots of the quadratic equation are prime numbers. Find the number of possible values of
Solution
Let and be the roots. Then by Vieta's formulas,
If both and are odd, then is even, so one of or must be even. This means one of and is 2, and the other is Therefore, so there is only possible value of
If both and are odd, then is even, so one of or must be even. This means one of and is 2, and the other is Therefore, so there is only possible value of
Final answer
1