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25 November, 17:20

Suppose that $a$ is a positive integer for which the least common multiple of $a+1$ and $a-5$ is $10508$. What is $a^2 - 4a + 1$?

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  1. 25 November, 17:39
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    21022.

    Step-by-step explanation:

    Find the prime factors of 10508:

    2) 10508

    2) 5254

    37) 2627

    71.

    50208 = 2*2*37*71.

    Now there is no integer value for a that would fit (a + 1) (a - 5) = 10508.

    But we could try multiplying the LCM by 2:-

    = 21016 = 2*2*2*37*71.

    = 2*2*37 multiplied by 2 * 71

    = 148 * 142.

    That looks promising!

    a - 5 = 142 and

    a + 1 = 148

    This gives 2a - 4 = 290

    2a = 294

    a = 147.

    So substituting a = 147 into a^2 - 4a + 1 we get:

    = 21022.
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