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Difference between revisions of "1981 AHSME Problems/Problem 28"

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==Problem 28==
 
==Problem 28==
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Consider the set of all equations <math> x^3 + a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0 = 0</math>, where <math> a_2</math>, <math> a_1</math>, <math> a_0</math> are real constants and <math> |a_i| < 2</math> for <math> i = 0,1,2</math>. Let <math> r</math> be the largest positive real number which satisfies at least one of these equations. Then
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Consider the set of all equations <math> x^3 + a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0 = 0</math>, where <math> a_2</math>, <math> a_1</math>, <math> a_0</math> are real constants and <math> |a_i| < 2</math> for <math> i = 0,1,2</math>. Let <math> r</math> be the largest positive real number which satisfies at least one of these equations. Let r be the largest positive real number that satisfies at least one of these equations. Which of the inequalities below does r satisfy?
  
 
<math> \textbf{(A)}\ 1 < r < \dfrac{3}{2}\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \dfrac{3}{2} < r < 2\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2 < r < \dfrac{5}{2}\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \dfrac{5}{2} < r < 3\qquad \\ \textbf{(E)}\ 3 < r < \dfrac{7}{2}</math>
 
<math> \textbf{(A)}\ 1 < r < \dfrac{3}{2}\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \dfrac{3}{2} < r < 2\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2 < r < \dfrac{5}{2}\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \dfrac{5}{2} < r < 3\qquad \\ \textbf{(E)}\ 3 < r < \dfrac{7}{2}</math>

Revision as of 21:56, 1 October 2024

Problem 28

Consider the set of all equations $x^3 + a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0 = 0$, where $a_2$, $a_1$, $a_0$ are real constants and $|a_i| < 2$ for $i = 0,1,2$. Let $r$ be the largest positive real number which satisfies at least one of these equations. Let r be the largest positive real number that satisfies at least one of these equations. Which of the inequalities below does r satisfy?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1 < r < \dfrac{3}{2}\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \dfrac{3}{2} < r < 2\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2 < r < \dfrac{5}{2}\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \dfrac{5}{2} < r < 3\qquad \\ \textbf{(E)}\ 3 < r < \dfrac{7}{2}$

Solution

Since $x^3 = -(a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0)$ and $x$ will be as big as possible, we need $x^3$ to be as big as possible, which means $a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0$ is as small as possible. Since $x$ is positive (according to the options), it makes sense for all of the coefficients to be $-2$.

Evaluating $f(\frac{5}{2})$ gives a negative number, $f(3)$ 1, and $f(\frac{7}{2})$ a number greater than 1, so the answer is $\boxed{D}$

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