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2002 AMC 12P Problems/Problem 13: Difference between revisions

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Therefore, we know <math>n \leq 17</math>.
Therefore, we know <math>n \leq 17</math>.
Now we must show that <math>n = 17</math> works. We replace one of <math>1, 2, ... 17</math> with an integer <math>a > 17</math> to account for the amount under <math>2002</math>, which is <math>2002-1785 = 217</math>.
Essentially, this boils down to writing <math>217</math> as a difference of squares. We know <math>217 = (7)(31)</math>, so we assume there exist positive integers <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> where <math>a > 17</math> and <math>b \leq 17</math> such that <math>a^2 - b^2 = 217</math>.


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{AMC12 box|year=2002|ab=P|num-b=12|num-a=14}}
{{AMC12 box|year=2002|ab=P|num-b=12|num-a=14}}
{{MAA Notice}}
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 19:27, 10 March 2024

Problem

What is the maximum value of $n$ for which there is a set of distinct positive integers $k_1, k_2, ... k_n$ for which

\[k^2_1 + k^2_2 + ... + k^2_n = 2002?\]

$\text{(A) }14 \qquad \text{(B) }15 \qquad \text{(C) }16 \qquad \text{(D) }17 \qquad \text{(E) }18$

Solution

Note that $k^2_1 + k^2_2 + ... + k^2_n = 2002 \leq \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}$

When $n = 17$, $\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6} = \frac{(17)(18)(35)}{6} = 1785 < 2002$.

When $n = 18$, $\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6} = 1785 + 18^2 = 2109 > 2002$.

Therefore, we know $n \leq 17$.

Now we must show that $n = 17$ works. We replace one of $1, 2, ... 17$ with an integer $a > 17$ to account for the amount under $2002$, which is $2002-1785 = 217$.

Essentially, this boils down to writing $217$ as a difference of squares. We know $217 = (7)(31)$, so we assume there exist positive integers $a$ and $b$ where $a > 17$ and $b \leq 17$ such that $a^2 - b^2 = 217$.

See also

2002 AMC 12P (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 12 		Followed by
Problem 14
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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