2 variables, 1 equation?

The number of positive integers k For which the equation k x 12 = 3 k kx-12=3k has an integer solution for x is ?


The answer is 6.

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3 solutions

Nihar Mahajan
Jun 6, 2015

k x 12 = 3 k k x = 3 k + 12 x = 3 k + 12 k x = 12 k + 3 kx-12=3k \\ kx=3k+12 \\ x=\dfrac{3k+12}{k} \\ x=\dfrac{12}{k}+3

For x x to be an integer , k 12 k \ | \ 12 .

Such positive k k possible are: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 12 1,2,3,4,6,12 which are 6 \boxed{6} in number.

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Harsh Shrivastava - 6 years ago

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Thanks a lot!!! You will also get it soon :)

Nihar Mahajan - 6 years ago

Problem is confusing.. I thought I need to find a value x for K

Xi Huang - 6 years ago

k x 12 = 3 k kx-12=3k k ( x 3 ) = 12 k(x-3)=12

Since, x x needs to be an integer and so does k k , we can say that k k is a factor of 12. Thus, k = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 12 k=1,2,3,4,6,12 . Hence, required solution is 6 \boxed{6} .

Thanks for the great solution sir!

Mehul Arora - 6 years ago
Mehul Arora
Jun 6, 2015

Rearranging the Equation, We get:-

k x 3 k = 12 kx-3k=12

k ( x 3 ) = 12 \rightarrow k(x-3)=12

k = 12 ( x 3 ) k= \dfrac {12}{(x-3)}

For k to have an integer value, x-3 must be a factor of 12.

Now, 12 = 2 2 × 3 12= {2}^{2} \times 3

Therefore, 12 has ( 2 + 1 ) ( 1 + 1 ) = 6 (2+1)(1+1)= 6 factors.

Hence, For 6 values of k, x has an integral value.

Answer:- 6

Cheers!

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