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Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
Let be a function taking the integers to the integers such that for all integers and
Let be the number of possible values of and let be the sum of all possible values of Find
Let be the number of possible values of and let be the sum of all possible values of Find
Solution
Setting we get If then is equal to some constant, say Then which has no integer solutions. Therefore, and then
Setting we get Let ; then Since and Setting we get Then which simplifies to This factors as Hence,
Setting and we get Then Checking and we find that the only value that works is
Hence, The first few values are and so on. By a straight-forward induction argument, for all integers
We can check that this function works. Therefore, and so
Setting we get Let ; then Since and Setting we get Then which simplifies to This factors as Hence,
Setting and we get Then Checking and we find that the only value that works is
Hence, The first few values are and so on. By a straight-forward induction argument, for all integers
We can check that this function works. Therefore, and so
Final answer
5