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How many integers n with \(70 \leq n \leq 90\) can be written as \(n = ab + 2a + 3b\) for at least one ordered pair of positive integers (a,b)?

 

Thanks a lot!

 Sep 1, 2024
 #1
avatar+1439 
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To determine which integers \( n \) in the range \( 70 \leq n \leq 90 \) can be expressed in the form

 

\[
n = ab + 2a + 3b,
\]

we can rearrange this equation:

\[
n = ab + 2a + 3b = ab + 2a + 3b = a(b + 2) + 3b.
\]

Thus, we can factor the expression:

\[
n = a(b + 2) + 3b = (b + 2)a + 3b.
\]

Rearranging further, we can consider the expression more carefully:

\[
n = ab + 2a + 3b = a(b + 2) + 3b.
\]

To find how \( n \) varies based on \( a \) and \( b \), we can think of expressions:

\[
n = ab + 2a + 3b = a(b + 2) + 3b.
\]

To explore values of \( n \), we can set specific values for \( b \) and investigate how \( n \) changes. We start by expressing \( a \) in terms of \( n \) for different values of \( b \):

1. Rearranging gives us:

\[
n - 3b = a(b + 2).
\]

This implies

\[
a = \frac{n - 3b}{b + 2}.
\]

For \( a \) to be a positive integer, \( n - 3b \) must be divisible by \( b + 2 \) and \( n - 3b > 0 \). This leads to key constraints:

- \( n > 3b \) (or equivalently, \( b < \frac{n}{3} \)),


- \( n - 3b \) should be divisible by \( b + 2 \).

Now, let’s analyze integers within the specified range \( 70 \leq n \leq 90 \).

**For \( b = 1 \):**


\[
n = a(1 + 2) + 3 \cdot 1 = 3a + 3 \Rightarrow n - 3 = 3a \Rightarrow n = 3a + 3 \Rightarrow n - 3 \equiv 0 \, (\text{mod } 3).
\]


Thus, \( n \equiv 0 \, (\text{mod } 3) \) which gives us possible \( n \): \( 72, 75, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90 \).

**For \( b = 2 \):**


\[
n = a(2 + 2) + 3 \cdot 2 = 4a + 6 \Rightarrow n - 6 = 4a \Rightarrow n = 4a + 6 \Rightarrow n - 6 \equiv 0 \, (\text{mod } 4).
\]


Thus, \( n \equiv 2 \, (\text{mod } 4) \) which gives us \( n \): \( 70, 74, 78, 82, 86, 90 \).

**For \( b = 3 \):**


\[
n = a(3 + 2) + 3 \cdot 3 = 5a + 9 \Rightarrow n - 9 = 5a \Rightarrow n = 5a + 9 \Rightarrow n - 9 \equiv 0 \, (\text{mod } 5).
\]


Thus, \( n \equiv 4 \, (\text{mod } 5) \) which gives us \( n \): \( 74, 79, 84, 89 \).

**For \( b = 4 \):**


\[
n = a(4 + 2) + 3 \cdot 4 = 6a + 12 \Rightarrow n - 12 = 6a \Rightarrow n = 6a + 12 \Rightarrow n - 12 \equiv 0 \, (\text{mod } 6).
\]


Thus, \( n \equiv 0 \, (\text{mod } 6) \) which gives us \( n \): \( 72, 78, 84, 90 \).

Continuing this process for \( b = 5 \) and \( b = 6 \) eventually provides specific integers. We can compile our results and find the integers \( n \):

By synthesizing:

- All candidate results from \( b = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 \):

The integers derived include:


- \( n = 70, 72, 74, 75, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 87, 89, 90 \).

Finally, we count unique integers:

\[
\{70, 72, 74, 75, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 87, 89, 90\}
\]

Counting these gives:

\[
\text{Total count} = 13.
\]

Thus, the answer is

\[
\boxed{13}.
\]

 Sep 1, 2024

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