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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?

 Oct 28, 2022
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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
a24b is a perfect squarea2(14ba2) is a perfect square(14ba2) 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   

 Oct 29, 2022

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