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k a My Retirement & New Leadership at AoPS
rrusczyk   1571
N Mar 26, 2025 by SmartGroot
I write today to announce my retirement as CEO from Art of Problem Solving. When I founded AoPS 22 years ago, I never imagined that we would reach so many students and families, or that we would find so many channels through which we discover, inspire, and train the great problem solvers of the next generation. I am very proud of all we have accomplished and I’m thankful for the many supporters who provided inspiration and encouragement along the way. I'm particularly grateful to all of the wonderful members of the AoPS Community!

I’m delighted to introduce our new leaders - Ben Kornell and Andrew Sutherland. Ben has extensive experience in education and edtech prior to joining AoPS as my successor as CEO, including starting like I did as a classroom teacher. He has a deep understanding of the value of our work because he’s an AoPS parent! Meanwhile, Andrew and I have common roots as founders of education companies; he launched Quizlet at age 15! His journey from founder to MIT to technology and product leader as our Chief Product Officer traces a pathway many of our students will follow in the years to come.

Thank you again for your support for Art of Problem Solving and we look forward to working with millions more wonderful problem solvers in the years to come.

And special thanks to all of the amazing AoPS team members who have helped build AoPS. We’ve come a long way from here:IMAGE
1571 replies
rrusczyk
Mar 24, 2025
SmartGroot
Mar 26, 2025
k a March Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Mar 2, 2025
March is the month for State MATHCOUNTS competitions! Kudos to everyone who participated in their local chapter competitions and best of luck to all going to State! Join us on March 11th for a Math Jam devoted to our favorite Chapter competition problems! Are you interested in training for MATHCOUNTS? Be sure to check out our AMC 8/MATHCOUNTS Basics and Advanced courses.

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Do you have plans this summer? There are so many options to fit your schedule and goals whether attending a summer camp or taking online classes, it can be a great break from the routine of the school year. Check out our summer courses at AoPS Online, or if you want a math or language arts class that doesn’t have homework, but is an enriching summer experience, our AoPS Virtual Campus summer camps may be just the ticket! We are expanding our locations for our AoPS Academies across the country with 15 locations so far and new campuses opening in Saratoga CA, Johns Creek GA, and the Upper West Side NY. Check out this page for summer camp information.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following events:
[list][*]March 5th (Wednesday), 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, HCSSiM Math Jam 2025. Amber Verser, Assistant Director of the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics, will host an information session about HCSSiM, a summer program for high school students.
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0 replies
jlacosta
Mar 2, 2025
0 replies
n-gon function
ehsan2004   9
N 13 minutes ago by AshAuktober
Source: Romanian IMO Team Selection Test TST 1996, problem 1
Let $ f: \mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R} $ be a function such that for every regular $ n $-gon $ A_1A_2 \ldots A_n $ we have $ f(A_1)+f(A_2)+\cdots +f(A_n)=0 $. Prove that $ f(x)=0 $ for all reals $ x $.
9 replies
ehsan2004
Sep 13, 2005
AshAuktober
13 minutes ago
Iran geometry
Dadgarnia   37
N 17 minutes ago by amirhsz
Source: Iranian TST 2018, first exam day 2, problem 4
Let $ABC$ be a triangle ($\angle A\neq 90^\circ$). $BE,CF$ are the altitudes of the triangle. The bisector of $\angle A$ intersects $EF,BC$ at $M,N$. Let $P$ be a point such that $MP\perp EF$ and $NP\perp BC$. Prove that $AP$ passes through the midpoint of $BC$.

Proposed by Iman Maghsoudi, Hooman Fattahi
37 replies
Dadgarnia
Apr 8, 2018
amirhsz
17 minutes ago
Inequatity
mrmath2006   13
N 27 minutes ago by KhuongTrang
Given $a,b,c>0$ & $(a+b+c)(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c})=10$. Prove that
$(a^2+b^2+c^2)(\frac{1}{a^2}+\frac{1}{b^2}+\frac{1}{c^2})\ge \frac{27}{2}$
13 replies
mrmath2006
Jan 5, 2016
KhuongTrang
27 minutes ago
weird 3-var cyclic ineq
RainbowNeos   1
N 42 minutes ago by lbh_qys
Given $a,b,c\geq 0$ with $a+b+c=1$ and at most one of them being zero, show that
\[\frac{1}{\max(a^2,b)}+\frac{1}{\max(b^2,c)}+\frac{1}{\max(c^2,a)}\geq\frac{27}{4}\]
1 reply
RainbowNeos
Mar 28, 2025
lbh_qys
42 minutes ago
No more topics!
Show it has *exactly* n roots
the0myth0   41
N Jan 9, 2025 by ZeroAlephZeta
Source: ISI Entrance 2015
If $0<a_1< \cdots < a_n$, show that the following equation has exactly $n$ roots.
$$ \frac{a_1}{a_1-x}+\frac{a_2}{a_2-x}+ \frac{a_3}{a_3-x}+ \cdots + \frac {a_n}{a_n  - x} = 2015$$
41 replies
the0myth0
May 10, 2015
ZeroAlephZeta
Jan 9, 2025
Show it has *exactly* n roots
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
Source: ISI Entrance 2015
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the0myth0
65 posts
#1 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
If $0<a_1< \cdots < a_n$, show that the following equation has exactly $n$ roots.
$$ \frac{a_1}{a_1-x}+\frac{a_2}{a_2-x}+ \frac{a_3}{a_3-x}+ \cdots + \frac {a_n}{a_n  - x} = 2015$$
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by Sayan, May 11, 2015, 10:13 AM
Reason: fixed minor latex
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Submathematics
1028 posts
#2 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
is $n=2015$ and the $a_i$s are distinct?
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Submathematics, May 10, 2015, 12:42 PM
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the0myth0
65 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I've edited, sorry for the inconvenience .
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mavropnevma
15142 posts
#4 • 28 Y
Y by ninjasrule34, Sayan, dantx5, biomathematics, FlakeLCR, rkm0959, DrMath, huricane, chipgiboy, rterte, PRO2000, siddigss, CrazyMatheist, Math-Ninja, opptoinfinity, Mathcollege, ring_r, mathsisbest, hannahptl, Toinfinity, mathleticguyyy, GangstarY, Math_Doctor., tenebrine, megarnie, Adventure10, Mango247, NS2k7
Consider the function $f(x) = \frac{a_1}{a_1-x}+\frac{a_2}{a_2-x}+ \cdots + \frac {a_n}{a_n  - x}$, of class $C^\infty$ on its maximal domain $\mathcal{D} = \mathbb{R}\setminus \{a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n\}$. We have $f'(x) = \frac{a_1}{(a_1-x)^2}+\frac{a_2}{(a_2-x)^2}+ \cdots + \frac {a_n}{(a_n  - x)^2} > 0$ on $\mathcal{D}$. Compute $f$'s limits at $\pm\infty$, and its lateral limits at $a_k$, $1\leq k\leq n$. That is enough to prove the thesis.
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Chirantan
579 posts
#5 • 3 Y
Y by ADEWADE, Adventure10, Mango247
Or you can multiply with the denominator and then side change the terms....bla...bla... you will get it. No more have patience to solve it again
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mavropnevma
15142 posts
#6 • 69 Y
Y by Tintarn, SkyChord, Darn, zmyshatlp, dantx5, ninjasrule34, ShineBunny, CaptainFlint, RadioActive, Sayan, bobthesmartypants, biomathematics, mathtastic, hwl0304, jh235, mathmaster2012, mathwizard888, 15Pandabears, 24iam24, PlatinumFalcon, FlakeLCR, MathSlayer4444, rkm0959, jlammy, Chandrachur, Mathaddict11, DrMath, huricane, kapilpavase, Baban, Tashm, bearytasty, 62861, mssmath, Tawan, AdBondEvent, Devesh14, IceParrot, Ankoganit, sketchcomedyrules, darthsid, rmtf1111, Ushasi, premchandj, Math-Ninja, dchenmathcounts, Wizard_32, opptoinfinity, Mathcollege, Vietjung, mathsisbest, hannahptl, Toinfinity, CancerPatient, Euler1728, math_and_me, mathleticguyyy, GangstarY, Math_Doctor., tenebrine, hrithikguy, Aryan-23, building, EmilXM, megarnie, OronSH, Adventure10, Mango247, Abhaysingh2003
Very nice solution, Chirantan ... precise, illuminating, final.
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Chirantan
579 posts
#7 • 7 Y
Y by mssmath, Tawan, Wizard_32, hrithikguy, OronSH, Adventure10, Mango247
mavropnevma wrote:
Very nice solution, Chirantan ... precise, illuminating, final.

Thank you
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saager
491 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
There is change in siugn in fx so by Descartes rule if signs it has n roots
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Chirantan
579 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by aops777, Adventure10
saager wrote:
There is change in siugn in fx so by Descartes rule if signs it has n roots

You don't know there may be repeated roots
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saager
491 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
How to prove that it doesn't have repeated root
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saager
491 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
...............
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by saager, Aug 10, 2015, 6:19 AM
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e782k5
24 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Yes we can use decartes rule of sign ,
Because a1, a2.....an. are positive so sign of x will be determined by itself only for e.g x^2 will be positive and x^3 will be negative or the opposite ., decartes rule will guarantee a consecutive change in sign of the terms . Hence its proved
further in the expansion it is sure that all the term will be present
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Chirantan
579 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I was saying by your method you cant gurantee that there is not any repeated root
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mavropnevma
15142 posts
#14 • 25 Y
Y by Sayan, bobthesmartypants, FlakeLCR, DrMath, thing, Tawan, adityaguharoy, premchandj, Math-Ninja, opptoinfinity, Mathcollege, mathsisbest, ring_r, Vietjung, AntaraDey, hannahptl, CancerPatient, Toinfinity, math_and_me, GangstarY, Math_Doctor., tenebrine, centslordm, Adventure10, Mango247
First, $f(x)-2015$, as defined, is not a polynomial, but a rational function $f(x) = \dfrac {p(x)}{q(x)}$, where $q(x) = (a_1-x)(a_2-x)\cdots (a_n-x)$. And now, if you apply Descartes' rule of signs to $p(x)$, even if you get $n$ changes of signs, that does not guarantee the existence of $n$ real roots. Descartes' rule of signs is not that precise!
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e782k5
24 posts
#15 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
So can you explain your solution as I was not able to understand it please elaborate
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Chirantan
579 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
mavropnevma wrote:
First, $f(x)-2015$, as defined, is not a polynomial, but a rational function $f(x) = \dfrac {p(x)}{q(x)}$, where $q(x) = (a_1-x)(a_2-x)\cdots (a_n-x)$. And now, if you apply Descartes' rule of signs to $p(x)$, even if you get $n$ changes of signs, that does not guarantee the existence of $n$ real roots. Descartes' rule of signs is not that precise!

Exactly I was trying to explain them the same thing
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borishjha
4 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
After clearing out the denominators nd calling the polynomial we get 'f', we can show that f changes sign in each interval (ai, ai+1) and thus find n-1 roots.nd one root will be present btween infinity nd a1 or an depending on value of n thus obtaining n roots
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saager
491 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
By Descartes rule of signs we can conclude it has n roots moreover if it has repeated roots then at least
One term in the denominator should be a square i.e., one term has to be of the form ai/(ai-x)^2 as in
Case of partial fraction
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mathsara_problemsolver
35 posts
#19 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
we can also use z and z bar as its solutions to show that
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dgmath97
261 posts
#20 • 5 Y
Y by SoumavaPal, Abhinandan18, ring_r, Adventure10, Mango247
Consider the polynomial function $f(x)=a_1(a_2-x)...(a_n-x)+a_2(a_1-x)(a_3-x)...(a_n-x)+.....+a_n(a_1-x)(a_2-x)...(a_n-1 -x)$.Plugging x=$a_1,a_2,a_3,...a_n$,we observe that $f$ changes its sign $(n-1)$ times.$f$ is continuous, so by $IVT$ $f$ has $(n-1)$ real roots each in$(a_i,a_i+1)$.Now another root will surely lie in b/w $a_1$ & $-\infty$. Now for no root the polynomial $g(x)=(a_1-x)(a_2-x)...(a_n-x)$ becomes $0$.So the given equation ,i.e., the rational function $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$ has exactly $n$ real roots.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by dgmath97, Feb 23, 2016, 5:40 AM
Reason: Latex
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Benedicta
19 posts
#21 • 3 Y
Y by ring_r, Adventure10, Mango247
@mavropnevma u use some technical terms. what is meant by of class c^infinity on its maximal domain and lateral limits at ak .why i do find limits at +_ infinity?
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AnderExtrema
417 posts
#22 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Someone Correct, if Incorrect
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kitun
924 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Let p+iq is a complex root of f. then p-iq is also a root. put x=p+iq and multiply Nr and Dr of each term by conjugate. let this expression be R. Again put x=p-iq and do the same. Let this be R'. Perform R-R' and equate imaginary part, and see that it is zero so there are no complex roots. for non repitition of roots use derivative. Though it is not clear from question whether distinct roots are required, so I wish the doubt to be clarified by editing of the question.
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Target_cmi
113 posts
#25 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
dgmath97 wrote:
Now another root will surely lie in b/w $a_1$ & $-\infty$..

All okay except this part. i started the same way, got (n-1) roots. but then got stuck at the nth root. can anyone please explain how there must always exist a root between $a_1$ & $-\infty$ ?
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Target_cmi
113 posts
#26 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
okay.. i got it.. there does exist a root b/w $-\infty$ and $a_1$ :)
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Riyank
46 posts
#27 • 3 Y
Y by GoJensenOrGoHome, Adventure10, Mango247
Since it is a polynomial of n degree so there are n number of roots

We need to prove that these n roots are real
Let there be a pair of complex roots s+ir and s-ir

Now put these two values in the equation and subtract the equations hence obtained

Since a1,a2,a3....an >0 also the square term in denominator is greater than zero
So r=0
This cancels out the imaginary part
This proves that there exist no complex root

Therefore all roots are real
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Pratik
1479 posts
#29 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Chirantan wrote:
Or you can multiply with the denominator and then side change the terms....bla...bla... you will get it. No more have patience to solve it again

When u r multiplying with the denominator u r ensuring that x$a_i$. Then how can u proceed
Please clarify.
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Pratik
1479 posts
#30 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
It can be done by the increading nature and sign change in the intervals
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math_and_me
296 posts
#31 • 1 Y
Y by WolfusA
Here's one more solution..
For all $x \ne a_i$ we clearly see that the given equation can be written as a polynomial in $x$ of degree n. Let the polynomial be denoted as $P(x)$. It can also be easily seen that none of the $P(a_i)\ne0$ for every $i$.
By fundamental theorem of algebra the polynomial has exactly $n$ complex roots.(counted with multiplicities).
Suppose $z=\alpha+i\beta$ is a solution
Then,
$$\sum_{k=1}^{n}\frac{a_k}{a_k-(\alpha+i\beta)}=2015$$Which after solving reduces to,
$$i.\left(\sum_{k=1}^{n} \frac{\beta.a_k}{(a_k-\alpha)^2+\beta^2}\right)=Im(2015)=0$$This immediately implies that $\beta$ is zero and thus the proof that every root is real is complete.

Roots are not repeated can be seen from the fact that $f'(x)>0$
This post has been edited 5 times. Last edited by math_and_me, Apr 15, 2020, 8:57 AM
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stranger_02
337 posts
#32 • 2 Y
Y by Euler1728, Mango247
I would like to argue this one a bit differently.. Observe-

Let $$f(x)= \frac{a_1}{a_1-x} + \frac{a_2}{a_2-x} + \frac{a_3}{a_3-x} +.....+\frac{a_n}{a_n-x}$$$$\therefore f'(x)=\frac{a_1}{{(a_1-x)}^2} + \frac{a_2}{{(a_2-x)}^2} + \frac{a_3}{{(a_3-x)}^2} +.....+\frac{a_n}{{(a_n-x)}^2}$$Which is obviously $>0$ $\forall{x}$. Hence, we can conclude that $f(x)$ is an increasing function.
BUT, here lies the beauty :).. observe that $f(x)$ also has exactly $n$ points of discontinuity $($ namely at $a_1,a_2,a_3,.......,a_n)$..

Therefore, we can conclude that $f(x)$ must have $n$ distinct roots each lying between $(a_i,a_{i+1})$..

But how do we prove that $f(x)$ has 'exactly' these $n$ roots and no more? Well, that's trivial.. just consider the fundamental theorem of algebra and you are done :D

Q.E.D. $\square$
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by stranger_02, Jun 24, 2020, 8:49 PM
Reason: Latex has ruined my life :')
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stranger_02
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#33 • 2 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247
Note that, when you consider my solution above you do not need to show explicitly that all the roots of $f(x)$ fall in the domain of $\Bbb{R}$. It's already clearly implied :)
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Zekron
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#34
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@2above, you have proved that there are 2014 roots. You still need to show there is a root in $(- \infty, a_1)$
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Euler1728
639 posts
#35
Y by
stranger_02 wrote:
I would like to argue this one a bit differently.. Observe-

Let $$f(x)= \frac{a_1}{a_1-x} + \frac{a_2}{a_2-x} + \frac{a_3}{a_3-x} +.....+\frac{a_n}{a_n-x}$$$$\therefore f'(x)=\frac{a_1}{{(a_1-x)}^2} + \frac{a_2}{{(a_2-x)}^2} + \frac{a_3}{{(a_3-x)}^2} +.....+\frac{a_n}{{(a_n-x)}^2}$$Which is obviously $>0$ $\forall{x}$. Hence, we can conclude that $f(x)$ is an increasing function.
BUT, here lies the beauty :).. observe that $f(x)$ also has exactly $n$ points of discontinuity $($ namely at $a_1,a_2,a_3,.......,a_n)$..

Therefore, we can conclude that $f(x)$ must have $n$ distinct roots each lying between $(a_i,a_{i+1})$..

But how do we prove that $f(x)$ has 'exactly' these $n$ roots and no more? Well, that's trivial.. just consider the fundamental theorem of algebra and you are done :D

Q.E.D. $\square$

Will f(x) = 0 has exactly n roots ? I can show it for f(x) > 0 but not for f(x) = 0 as such at - infinity f(x) tends to zero but not exactly zero right?
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Euler1728
639 posts
#36
Y by
dgmath97 wrote:
Consider the polynomial function $f(x)=a_1(a_2-x)...(a_n-x)+a_2(a_1-x)(a_3-x)...(a_n-x)+.....+a_n(a_1-x)(a_2-x)...(a_n-1 -x)$.Plugging x=$a_1,a_2,a_3,...a_n$,we observe that $f$ changes its sign $(n-1)$ times.$f$ is continuous, so by $IVT$ $f$ has $(n-1)$ real roots each in$(a_i,a_i+1)$.Now another root will surely lie in b/w $a_1$ & $-\infty$. Now for no root the polynomial $g(x)=(a_1-x)(a_2-x)...(a_n-x)$ becomes $0$.So the given equation ,i.e., the rational function $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$ has exactly $n$ real roots.
Isnt your f(x) a degree of n-1 so u proved it has n-1 roots , but why will there be an extra root in (-infinity ,a1) ?
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Quantum_fluctuations
1282 posts
#37
Y by
stranger_02 wrote:
I would like to argue this one a bit differently.. Observe-

Let $$f(x)= \frac{a_1}{a_1-x} + \frac{a_2}{a_2-x} + \frac{a_3}{a_3-x} +.....+\frac{a_n}{a_n-x}$$$$\therefore f'(x)=\frac{a_1}{{(a_1-x)}^2} + \frac{a_2}{{(a_2-x)}^2} + \frac{a_3}{{(a_3-x)}^2} +.....+\frac{a_n}{{(a_n-x)}^2}$$Which is obviously $>0$ $\forall{x}$. Hence, we can conclude that $f(x)$ is an increasing function.
BUT, here lies the beauty :).. observe that $f(x)$ also has exactly $n$ points of discontinuity $($ namely at $a_1,a_2,a_3,.......,a_n)$..

Therefore, we can conclude that $f(x)$ must have $n$ distinct roots each lying between $(a_i,a_{i+1})$..

But how do we prove that $f(x)$ has 'exactly' these $n$ roots and no more? Well, that's trivial.. just consider the fundamental theorem of algebra and you are done :D

Q.E.D. $\square$
How does disonctinuity imply roots? There are many types of discontinuities.
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Quantum_fluctuations
1282 posts
#38
Y by
This problem actually also appeared FIITJEE AITS.
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homotopygroup
303 posts
#39
Y by
We note that we must have $x \neq a_i $ for $1 \le i \le n$, for otherwise one or more terms of the left hand side of the given equation is/are undefined...Then we can write the equation as $$\sum_{i=1}^{n}a_i[(a_1-x) \cdots \widehat{(a_i-x)} \cdots (a_n-x)]=2015 \prod_{j=1}^{n}(a_j-x)$$,where the $\widehat {         }$ denotes a deleted term..We can also write this equation in form $ P(x)=Q(x)$ where $P$ and $Q$ are polynomials in $\mathbb{R}[x]$ assuming $a_i \in \mathbb{R}$ ,$1 \le i \le n$, such that $degP=n-1$ and $deg Q=n$.
Hence the equation is equivalent to $R(x)=P(x)-Q(x)=0$..(we've $degR=n$)
Then using the Fundamental theorem of Algebra, clearly the equation has $n$ roots...
QED
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Madhavi
52 posts
#40
Y by
dgmath97 wrote:
Now another root will surely lie in b/w $a_1$ & $-\infty$..

Can someone please explain this??
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DeySSSSS
13 posts
#41
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We can observe easily that the function
a1/(a1-x) +a2/(a2-x) +... +an/(an-x) =2015 is a nth degree polynomial.
Now enough to prove all of the roots are real.
Let us assume one of the roots is complex say x= α+βi, then it's conjugate x=α-βi must be a root of the polynomial as a1, a2,..., an all are real.
Now put x=α+βi, we get a1/{(a1-α) - βi} +...+an/{(an-α) - βi} =2015...(i)
Put x=α-βi, we get a1/{(a1-α) + βi} +... +an/{(an-α) + βi} =2015...(ii)
Now by (i) - (ii) we get, a1/{(a1-α) ^2+β^2} +...+an/{(an-α) ^2 +β^2} =0.
But a1, a2,..., an all are > 0 and all denominators are also >0.
So the lhs is >0 and rhs =0 which is a contradiction.
Hence proved
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problemattempter
2 posts
#42
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Can someone please explain why there will be a root in (-infinity,a_1) as illustrated in some of the above methods?
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lifeismathematics
1188 posts
#43 • 1 Y
Y by Samujjal101
FTSOC assume that there is a non-real root, suppose $z$ then we have $\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}}{a_{i}-z}-\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}}{a_{i}-\overline{z}}=0 \implies \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}(z-\overline{z})}{|a_{i}-z|^2}=0 \implies z=\overline{z}$ and that gives $z \in  \mathbb{R}$ a contradiction , which gives the equation has all real roots.

Now , clearly taking L.C.M and simplifying we get a $n$ degree polynomial which will have $n$ roots , as we proved all of them are real we are done. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by lifeismathematics, Nov 30, 2023, 4:45 PM
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ZeroAlephZeta
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#44
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lifeismathematics wrote:
FTSOC assume that there is a non-real root, suppose $z$ then we have $\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}}{a_{i}-z}-\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}}{a_{i}-\overline{z}}=0 \implies \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}(z-\overline{z})}{|a_{i}-z|^2}=0 \implies z=\overline{z}$ and that gives $z \in  \mathbb{R}$ a contradiction , which gives the equation has all real roots.

Now , clearly taking L.C.M and simplifying we get a $n$ degree polynomial which will have $n$ roots , as we proved all of them are real we are done. $\blacksquare$

How do you write $\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}}{a_{i}-z}-\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{a_{i}}{a_{i}-\overline{z}}=0$ ?
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