The polynomial p(x) = x^2 + ax + b has positive integer coefficients a and b. If p(60) is a perfect
square and the equation p(x) = 0 has two distinct integer solutions, what is the least possible value of b?
The polynomial p(x) = x^2 + ax + b has positive integer coefficients a and b. If p(60) is a perfect
square and the equation p(x) = 0 has two distinct integer solutions, what is the least possible value of b?
p(x) = 0 has two distinct integer solutions
a2−4b is a perfect squarea2(1−4ba2) is a perfect square(1−4ba2) is a perfect squarebut a and b are both positive so 4b must equal a24b=a2maybe b=1 and a=2
p(60)=3600+60a+b
sub in b=1 and a=2
3600+120+1 = (60+1)^2=61^2 so that works perfectly.
The least possible value of b is 1