Difference between revisions of "2015 AIME I Problems/Problem 9"
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− | Let <math>a_1=x, a_2=y, a_3=z</math>. First note that if any absolute value equals 0, then <math>a_n</math> | + | Let <math>a_1=x, a_2=y, a_3=z</math>. First note that if any absolute value equals 0, then <math>a_n=0</math>. |
Also note that if at any position, <math>a_n=a_{n-1}</math>, then <math>a_{n+2}=0</math>. | Also note that if at any position, <math>a_n=a_{n-1}</math>, then <math>a_{n+2}=0</math>. | ||
− | Then, if any absolute value equals 1, then <math>a_n</math> | + | Then, if any absolute value equals 1, then <math>a_n=0</math>. |
Therefore, if either <math>|y-x|</math> or <math>|z-y|</math> is less than or equal to 1, then that ordered triple meets the criteria. | Therefore, if either <math>|y-x|</math> or <math>|z-y|</math> is less than or equal to 1, then that ordered triple meets the criteria. | ||
Assume that to be the only way the criteria is met. | Assume that to be the only way the criteria is met. | ||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
However, since the minimum values of <math>a_5</math> and <math>a_6</math> are equal, there must be a scenario where the criteria was met that does not meet our earlier scenarios. Calculation shows that to be <math>z=1</math>, <math>|y-x|=2</math>. Again assume that any other scenario will not meet criteria. | However, since the minimum values of <math>a_5</math> and <math>a_6</math> are equal, there must be a scenario where the criteria was met that does not meet our earlier scenarios. Calculation shows that to be <math>z=1</math>, <math>|y-x|=2</math>. Again assume that any other scenario will not meet criteria. | ||
To prove, divide the other scenarios into two cases: <math>z>1</math>, <math>|y-x|>1</math>, and <math>|z-y|>1</math>; and <math>z=1</math>, <math>|y-x|>2</math>, and <math>|z-y|>1</math>. | To prove, divide the other scenarios into two cases: <math>z>1</math>, <math>|y-x|>1</math>, and <math>|z-y|>1</math>; and <math>z=1</math>, <math>|y-x|>2</math>, and <math>|z-y|>1</math>. | ||
− | For the first one, <math>a_4</math> | + | For the first one, <math>a_4 \ge 2z</math>, <math>a_5 \ge 4z</math>, <math>a_6 \ge 8z</math>, and <math>a_7 \ge 16z</math>, by which point we see that this function diverges. |
For the second one, <math>a_4 \ge 3</math>, <math>a_5 \ge 6</math>, <math>a_6 \ge 18</math>, and <math>a_7 \ge 54</math>, by which point we see that this function diverges. | For the second one, <math>a_4 \ge 3</math>, <math>a_5 \ge 6</math>, <math>a_6 \ge 18</math>, and <math>a_7 \ge 54</math>, by which point we see that this function diverges. | ||
− | Therefore, the only scenarios where <math>a_n</math> | + | Therefore, the only scenarios where <math>a_n=0</math> is when any of the following are met: |
− | <math>|y-x|</math> | + | <math>|y-x|<2</math> (280 options) |
− | <math>|z-y|</math> | + | <math>|z-y|<2</math> (280 options, 80 of which coincide with option 1) |
− | z=1, <math>|y-x|</math> | + | <math>z=1</math>, <math>|y-x|=2</math>. (16 options, 2 of which coincide with either option 1 or option 2) |
Adding the total number of such ordered triples yields <math>280+280-80+16-2=494</math>. | Adding the total number of such ordered triples yields <math>280+280-80+16-2=494</math>. | ||
Revision as of 19:10, 10 May 2015
Problem
Let be the set of all ordered triple of integers
with
. Each ordered triple in
generates a sequence according to the rule
for all
. Find the number of such sequences for which
for some
.
Solution
Let . First note that if any absolute value equals 0, then
.
Also note that if at any position,
, then
.
Then, if any absolute value equals 1, then
.
Therefore, if either
or
is less than or equal to 1, then that ordered triple meets the criteria.
Assume that to be the only way the criteria is met.
To prove, let
, and
. Then,
,
, and
.
However, since the minimum values of
and
are equal, there must be a scenario where the criteria was met that does not meet our earlier scenarios. Calculation shows that to be
,
. Again assume that any other scenario will not meet criteria.
To prove, divide the other scenarios into two cases:
,
, and
; and
,
, and
.
For the first one,
,
,
, and
, by which point we see that this function diverges.
For the second one,
,
,
, and
, by which point we see that this function diverges.
Therefore, the only scenarios where
is when any of the following are met:
(280 options)
(280 options, 80 of which coincide with option 1)
,
. (16 options, 2 of which coincide with either option 1 or option 2)
Adding the total number of such ordered triples yields
.
See Also
2015 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 8 |
Followed by Problem 10 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.