Compute the sum of all positive integers n for which 9n+4n+2−3n+16 is an integer.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
For the expression to be an integer at least one of n and n+2 must be a perfect square. We also note that at most one of n and n+2 can be a square, so exactly one of them is a square. Case 1: n is a perfect square. By our previous observation, it must be that 4n+2=3n+16⇒n=16. Case 2: n+2 is a perfect square. By our previous observation, it must be that 9n=3n+16⇒n=2. Consequently, the answer is 16+2=18.
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