This problem is literally made in China.

Algebra Level 2

(From China Math Competitions for Secondary Schools) Given the system of equations m x + 2 y = 10 mx +2y=10 3 x 2 y = 0 3x-2y=0 has positive integer solutions, find the value of m 2 m^2 .


The answer is 4.

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3 solutions

Adding the equations together gives us that ( m + 3 ) x = 10 (m + 3)x = 10 .

Next, note that m 0 m \ne 0 , as this would yield solutions x = 10 3 , y = 5 x = \frac{10}{3}, y = 5 . So multiply the first equation by 3 3 and the second by m m and then subtract to find that

( 3 m x + 6 y ) ( 3 m x 2 m y ) = 30 0 ( 6 + 2 m ) y = 30 ( m + 3 ) y = 15 (3mx + 6y) - (3mx - 2my) = 30 - 0 \Rightarrow (6 + 2m)y = 30 \Rightarrow (m + 3)y = 15 .

So since both ( m + 3 ) x = 10 (m + 3)x = 10 and ( m + 3 ) y = 15 (m + 3)y = 15 , and since we require integer solutions, we can conclude that ( m + 3 ) (m + 3) must be a common factor of 10 10 and 15 15 , the options being 5 , 1 , 1 -5, -1, 1 and 5 5 . This gives us possible values for m of 8 , 4 , 2 -8, -4, -2 and 2 2 .

Now the reader can check that each of these values of m m , when plugged back into the original system of equations, yields integer solutions for x x and y y . Thus m 2 m^{2} could be any of 64 , 16 64, 16 or 4 4 . To make the solution unique, the question should specify that the system has positive integer solutions, which is only the case for m m being either 2 -2 or 2 2 . This would then make m 2 = 4 m^{2} = 4 the unique solution.

Right, the problem was slightly ambiguous. In which there are more than 2 possible values for m 2 m^{2} . I answered 4 and luckily got it right. Peace! :D

Sean Ty - 6 years, 10 months ago

@Joshua Ong In order to have a unique solution you will need to specify that the system has positive integer solutions. Good question, otherwise. :)

Brian Charlesworth - 6 years, 10 months ago

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@brian charlesworth Oops, sorry, my bad! changed now.

Joshua Ong - 6 years, 10 months ago

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Joshua,I do not see any changes made by you on this question. I believe that it does need to be "positive integer solutions".

Calvin Lin Staff - 6 years, 10 months ago

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@Calvin Lin @Calvin Lin Looks like I didn't save -_-

Joshua Ong - 6 years, 10 months ago
Sastry Aditya
Jul 27, 2014

3x - 2y = 0 => y = 3x/2 ------------- (1)

mx + 2y = 10 putting 1 in this.

(m + 3)x = 10

The only possible values of m that would give integral solutions are,

m = 7, 2, -8, -13 for which the values of x become 1, 2, -2, -1

For the solution to have integral solutions we want the y co-ordinate also to be integral. Hence putting 1, 2, -2, -1 in 3x - 2y = 0 and checking the cases where we get integral solutions for y.

1 => 3/2 2 => 3 -2 => -3 -1 => -3/2

Of these cases 2 and -2 are the only values of x for which we get integral values for y. Hence m could be -8 or 2 hence m could be 4 or 64. Given the fact that you had three chances you have to try your luck with both values and see if you hit the correct one.

Mahmoud Hassona
Jul 26, 2014

put m=2 and add first equation to the other we get ,5x=10 then x=2,we back to the equation ,3x-2y=0 -> 2y=6 y=3 and that is integer numbers so m^2 =4 ,thanks

why the 'thanks'? and you haven't proved m = 2 m=2 is a unique value of m m , only that it is sufficient.

mathh mathh - 6 years, 10 months ago

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