1956 AMC 12 Problem 34

Attempt Problem 34 of the 1956 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1956 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

34.

If nn is any whole number, n2(n2−1)n^2(n^2-1) is always divisible by:
1212
2424
any multiple of 1212
12−n12-n
1212 and 2424
Answer: A
Concepts:divisibilityconsecutive integersparity
Small hint:
Factor the expression as n2(n−1)(n+1)n^2(n-1)(n+1)
Big hint:
Among three consecutive integers there is a multiple of 3,3, and the factors supply at least two powers of 22
Solution:
We have n2(n2−1)=n2(n−1)(n+1). n^2(n^2-1)=n^2(n-1)(n+1). Among n−1,n-1, n,n, and n+1,n+1, one is divisible by 3.3. If nn is even, n2n^2 is divisible by 4;4; if nn is odd, both n−1n-1 and n+1n+1 are even, so their product is divisible by 4.4. Thus the expression is always divisible by 12.12. It is not always divisible by 24,24, since n=2n=2 gives 12.12.
Therefore, the correct answer is A.
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.