Skip to content

Challenge 362: A likely solution

The values p and q in the quadratic expression 2x2 - px +q are determined by throwing two standard fair cubical dice, one red and one blue.

p is given by the value shown by the red die and q is given by the value shown on the blue die.

What is the probability that the equation 2x2 - px + q = 0 will have a solution that is a prime number? 

Make your solution as efficient as you can!

Submit your solution

Please do send in your solution to this problem to  weeklymaths@kcl.ac.uk  You can scan or photograph your written work, or type your solutions. If this is your first weekly maths challenge solution, please include your year group and the name of the school you attend. We'll be happy to provide feedback on your solution, assuming that you are in year 11 or below. If you are older than this, we hope you enjoy trying the problems and reviewing your solutions against those we publish on the website.