2003 Indonesia MO Problems/Problem 3
Problem
Find all real solutions of the equation .
[Note: For any real number ,
is the largest integer less than or equal to
, and
denote the smallest integer more than or equal to
.]
Solution
There are two cases to consider -- one where is positive and one where
is negative.
For the positive case, if then the equation results in
Since the equation does not have an integral solution,
If we let
That means
and solving the equation yields
For confirmation,
and
, so
. Since
can only have integral values,
.
For the negative case, if then the equation results in
This also does not have an integral solution, so
If we let
That means
and this equation also yields
For confirmation,
and
, so
. Since
can only have integral values,
.
In interval notation, the solutions of the equation are
See Also
2003 Indonesia MO (Problems) | ||
Preceded by Problem 2 |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 | Followed by Problem 4 |
All Indonesia MO Problems and Solutions |