How many integers are there?

Algebra Level 2

How many positive integers n n are there such that 4 n 1 \sqrt{4n - 1} is rational?

7 2 5 1 3 4 6 0

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2 solutions

4 n 1 4n-1 must be a perfect square to satisfy the condition of the problem. So, let 4 n 1 = a 2 4n-1=a^2 , where a a is an integer.

Then n = a 2 + 1 4 n=\dfrac {a^2+1}{4}

Hence a a must be an odd number. Let a = 2 b + 1 a=2b+1

Then n = 4 b ( b + 1 ) + 2 4 n=\dfrac {4b(b+1)+2}{4}

Now this number can never be an integer, whatever be the value of b b

Hence the answer is 0 \boxed 0 .

Any perfect square 0 or 1 ( m o d 4 ) (See wiki) No solution \begin{aligned} \text{Any perfect square} &\equiv 0 \text{ or } 1 \pmod {4} & \small{\color{#D61F06}{\text{(See wiki)}}} \\ & \to \text{No solution} \\ \end{aligned} Link to Wiki \small{\color{#3D99F6}{\text{Link to Wiki}}}

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