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Number theory Difficulty 4.5 AIME Prove it New Zealand

Problem:

Show that the number 122n102n21n122^{n} - 102^{n} - 21^{n} is always one less than a multiple of 2020, for any positive integer nn.

Solution

Solution:

Let f(n)=122n102n21nf(n) = 122^{n} - 102^{n} - 21^{n}. We consider f(n)f(n) in mod 101 and in mod 20 separately.

Consider f(n)f(n) mod 101.

f(n)=122n102n21n21n1n21n(mod101)=1 \begin{align*} f(n) &= 122^{n} - 102^{n} - 21^{n} \\ &\equiv 21^{n} - 1^{n} - 21^{n} \pmod{101} \\ &= -1 \end{align*}

Consider f(n)f(n) mod 20.

f(n)=122n102n21n2n2n1n(mod20)=1 \begin{align*} f(n) &= 122^{n} - 102^{n} - 21^{n} \\ &\equiv 2^{n} - 2^{n} - 1^{n} \pmod{20} \\ &= -1 \end{align*}

Therefore f(n)1f(n) \equiv -1 both in mod 20 and in mod 101. Since 20 and 101 are relatively prime, this means f(n)1f(n) \equiv -1 (mod 2020). As required. \square

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