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Question 14

The positive integer n, for which the solutions of the equation x(x + 2) + (x + 2)(x + 4) + .... + (x + 2n - 2)(x + 2n) = $$\dfrac{8n}{3}$$ are two consecutive even integers, is:

Write every term in the series in the form $$(x+2k)(x+2k+2)$$, where $$k=0,1,2,\dots ,n-1$$.
Hence the given equation becomes

$$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(x+2k)(x+2k+2)=\frac{8n}{3}\qquad -(1)$$

Expand one general term first:

$$(x+2k)(x+2k+2)=A(A+2)\,,\;A=x+2k$$

$$\;=A^{2}+2A=(x+2k)^{2}+2(x+2k)$$

$$\;=x^{2}+(4k+2)x+4k^{2}+4k\qquad -(2)$$

Add the coefficients separately.

Coefficient of $$x^{2}$$: $$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}1=n$$

Coefficient of $$x$$: $$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(4k+2)=4\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}k+2n=4\frac{(n-1)n}{2}+2n=2n^{2}$$

Constant term: $$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}\bigl(4k^{2}+4k\bigr)=4\sum k^{2}+4\sum k$$

$$=4\frac{(n-1)n(2n-1)}{6}+4\frac{(n-1)n}{2}$$

$$=\frac{2n(n-1)(2n-1)}{3}+2n(n-1)$$

$$=\frac{4n(n^{2}-1)}{3}\qquad -(3)$$

Substituting these three sums into $$(1)$$ we get

$$n x^{2}+2n^{2}x+\frac{4n(n^{2}-1)}{3}=\frac{8n}{3}$$

Because $$n\gt 0$$, divide by $$n$$:

$$x^{2}+2n\,x+\frac{4(n^{2}-1)}{3}=\frac{8}{3}$$

Multiply by $$3$$ to clear the denominator:

$$3x^{2}+6n\,x+4(n^{2}-1)=8$$

$$\Longrightarrow\quad 3x^{2}+6n\,x+4(n^{2}-3)=0\qquad -(4)$$

The quadratic $$(4)$$ has its two roots stated in the question to be consecutive even integers.
Let them be $$m$$ and $$m+2$$.

Sum of roots $$= -\frac{6n}{3}=-2n$$

$$m+(m+2)=2m+2=-2n\quad\Longrightarrow\quad m=-n-1\qquad -(5)$$

Product of roots $$=\frac{4(n^{2}-3)}{3}$$

$$(m)(m+2)=(-n-1)(-n+1)=n^{2}-1\qquad -(6)$$

Equate $$(6)$$ with the product from the quadratic:

$$n^{2}-1=\frac{4(n^{2}-3)}{3}$$

$$\;3(n^{2}-1)=4(n^{2}-3)$$

$$\;3n^{2}-3=4n^{2}-12$$

$$\;n^{2}-9=0$$

$$\;n^{2}=9\quad\Longrightarrow\quad n=3\;(\text{since }n\text{ is positive})$$

The positive integer $$n$$ that satisfies the given condition is $$\mathbf{3}$$.

Therefore the correct option is Option B (3).

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