GeminiHeat wrote:
If \(2^{20} = 2^{15}x+y,\) where x and y are non-negative integers, what is the minimum possible value of \(|x − y|\)?
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) \(2^5\)
(D) \(2^{10}\)
(E) \(2^{15}\)
Take: \(2^{20} = 2^{15}x+y\)
Subtract \(2^{15}x\) from both sides to get: \(2^{20} - 2^{15}x=y\)
Factor: \(2^{15}(2^{5}- x)=y\)
Rewrite as: \(y=2^{15}(32- x)\)
Since x and y are
non-negative integers, we can conclude that \(0<x≤32\) (i.e, if x > 32, y is negative)
Notice that, if \(x=1\), \(y=2^{15}(32- 1)=2^{15}(31)\), which is a little bit less than \(2^{20}\)
In other words, the
maximum value of y is a little bit less than \(2^{20}\)
Also, if \(x=32\), \(y=2^{15}(32-32)=2^{15}(0)=0\)
So, the
minimum value of y is \(0\) AND \(x=32\) is the maximum value of x
As such, the minimum value \(|x − y|\) is \(|32 − 0|=32=2^5\)
Answer: C
Cheers,
Brent