Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "1989 AIME Problems/Problem 1"
m (→‎Solution 3 (Symmetry with Generalization))
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
Compute <math>\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1}</math>.
 
Compute <math>\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1}</math>.
  
−
== Solution ==
+
== Solution 1 (Symmetry)==
−
=== Solution 1===
 
−
Let's call our four [[consecutive]] integers <math>(n-1), n, (n+1), (n+2)</math>.  Notice that <math>(n-1)(n)(n+1)(n+2)+1=(n^2+n)^2-2(n^2+n)+1 \Rightarrow (n^2+n-1)^2</math>.  Thus, <math>\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1} = (29^2+29-1) = \boxed{869}</math>.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Solution 2===
 
 
Note that the four numbers to multiply are symmetric with the center at <math>29.5</math>.  
 
Note that the four numbers to multiply are symmetric with the center at <math>29.5</math>.  
 
Multiply the symmetric pairs to get <math>31\cdot 28=868</math> and <math>30\cdot 29=870</math>.
 
Multiply the symmetric pairs to get <math>31\cdot 28=868</math> and <math>30\cdot 29=870</math>.
 
<math>\sqrt{868\cdot 870 + 1} = \sqrt{(869-1)(869+1) + 1} = \sqrt{869^2 - 1^2 + 1} = \sqrt{869^2} = \boxed{869}</math>.
 
<math>\sqrt{868\cdot 870 + 1} = \sqrt{(869-1)(869+1) + 1} = \sqrt{869^2 - 1^2 + 1} = \sqrt{869^2} = \boxed{869}</math>.
  
−
=== Solution 3===
+
== Solution 2 (Symmetry)==
 +
Notice that <math>(a+1)^2 = a \cdot (a+2) +1</math>. Then we can notice that <math>30 \cdot 29 =870 </math> and that <math>31 \cdot 28 = 868</math>. Therefore, <math> \sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28) +1} = \sqrt{(870)(868) +1} = \sqrt{(868 +1)^2} = \boxed{869}</math>. This is because we have that <math>a=868</math> as per the equation <math>(a+1)^2 = a \cdot (a+2) +1</math>.
 +
 
 +
~qwertysri987
 +
 
 +
== Solution 3 (Symmetry with Generalization) ==
 +
More generally, we can prove that one more than the product of four consecutive integers must be a perfect square:
 +
<cmath>\begin{align*}
 +
(a+3)(a+2)(a+1)(a)+1 &= [(a+3)(a)][(a+2)(a+1)]+1 \\
 +
&= [a^2+3a][a^2+3a+2]+1 \\
 +
&= [a^2+3a]^2+2[a^2+3a]+1 \\
 +
&= [a^2+3a+1]^2.
 +
\end{align*}</cmath>
 +
At <math>a=28,</math> we have <cmath>\sqrt{(a+3)(a+2)(a+1)(a)+1}=a^2+3a+1=\boxed{869}.</cmath>
 +
~Novus677 (Fundamental Logic)
 +
 
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM (Reconstruction)
 +
 
 +
== Solution 4 (Symmetry with Generalization) ==
 +
Similar to Solution 1 above, call the consecutive integers <math>\left(n-\frac{3}{2}\right), \left(n-\frac{1}{2}\right), \left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right), \left(n+\frac{3}{2}\right)</math> to make use of symmetry.  Note that <math>n</math> itself is not an integer - in this case, <math>n = 29.5</math>.  The expression becomes <math>\sqrt{\left(n-\frac{3}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{3}{2}\right)\left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right) + 1}</math>.  Distributing each pair of difference of squares first, and then distributing the two resulting quadratics and adding the constant, gives <math>\sqrt{n^4 - \frac{5}{2}n^2 + \frac{25}{16}}</math>.  The inside is a perfect square trinomial, since <math>b^2 = 4ac</math>.  It's equal to <math>\sqrt{\left(n^2 - \frac{5}{4}\right)^2}</math>, which simplifies to <math>n^2 - \frac{5}{4}</math>.  You can plug in the value of <math>n</math> from there, or further simplify to <math>\left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right) - 1</math>, which is easier to compute.  Either way, plugging in <math>n=29.5</math> gives <math>\boxed{869}</math>.
 +
 
 +
== Solution 5 (Prime Factorization) ==
 +
We have <math>(31)(30)(29)(28)+1=755161.</math> Since the alternating sum of the digits <math>7-5+5-1+6-1=11</math> is divisible by <math>11,</math> we conclude that <math>755161</math> is divisible by <math>11.</math>
 +
 
 +
We evaluate the original expression by prime factorization:
 +
<cmath>\begin{align*}
 +
\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1}&=\sqrt{755161} \\
 +
&=\sqrt{11\cdot68651} \\
 +
&=\sqrt{11^2\cdot6241} \\
 +
&=\sqrt{11^2\cdot79^2} \\
 +
&=11\cdot79 \\
 +
&=\boxed{869}.
 +
\end{align*}</cmath>
 +
~Vrjmath (Fundamental Logic)
 +
 
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM (Reconstruction)
 +
 
 +
== Solution 6 (Observation) ==
 
The last digit under the radical is <math>1</math>, so the square root must either end in <math>1</math> or <math>9</math>, since <math>x^2  = 1\pmod {10}</math> means <math>x = \pm 1</math>.  Additionally, the number must be near <math>29 \cdot 30 = 870</math>, narrowing the reasonable choices to <math>869</math> and <math>871</math>.
 
The last digit under the radical is <math>1</math>, so the square root must either end in <math>1</math> or <math>9</math>, since <math>x^2  = 1\pmod {10}</math> means <math>x = \pm 1</math>.  Additionally, the number must be near <math>29 \cdot 30 = 870</math>, narrowing the reasonable choices to <math>869</math> and <math>871</math>.
  
 
Continuing the logic, the next-to-last digit under the radical is the same as the last digit of <math>28 \cdot 29 \cdot 3 \cdot 31</math>, which is <math>6</math>.  Quick computation shows that <math>869^2</math> ends in <math>61</math>, while <math>871^2</math> ends in <math>41</math>.  Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{869}</math>.
 
Continuing the logic, the next-to-last digit under the radical is the same as the last digit of <math>28 \cdot 29 \cdot 3 \cdot 31</math>, which is <math>6</math>.  Quick computation shows that <math>869^2</math> ends in <math>61</math>, while <math>871^2</math> ends in <math>41</math>.  Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{869}</math>.
−
 
−
===Solution 4===
 
−
Similar to Solution 1 above, call the consecutive integers <math>\left(n-\frac{3}{2}\right), \left(n-\frac{1}{2}\right), \left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right), \left(n+\frac{3}{2}\right)</math> to make use of symmetry.  Note that <math>n</math> itself is not an integer - in this case, <math>n = 29.5</math>.  The expression becomes <math>\sqrt{\left(n-\frac{3}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{3}{2}\right)\left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right) + 1}</math>.  Distributing each pair of difference of squares first, and then distributing the two resulting quadratics and adding the constant, gives <math>\sqrt{n^4 - \frac{5}{2}n^2 + \frac{25}{16}}</math>.  The inside is a perfect square trinomial, since <math>b^2 = 4ac</math>.  It's equal to <math>\sqrt{\left(n^2 - \frac{5}{4}\right)^2}</math>, which simplifies to <math>n^2 - \frac{5}{4}</math>.  You can plug in the value of <math>n</math> from there, or further simplify to <math>\left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right) - 1</math>, which is easier to compute.  Either way, plugging in <math>n=29.5</math> gives <math>\boxed{869}</math>.
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 23:12, 7 October 2021

Problem

Compute $\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1}$.

Solution 1 (Symmetry)

Note that the four numbers to multiply are symmetric with the center at $29.5$. Multiply the symmetric pairs to get $31\cdot 28=868$ and $30\cdot 29=870$. $\sqrt{868\cdot 870 + 1} = \sqrt{(869-1)(869+1) + 1} = \sqrt{869^2 - 1^2 + 1} = \sqrt{869^2} = \boxed{869}$.

Solution 2 (Symmetry)

Notice that $(a+1)^2 = a \cdot (a+2) +1$. Then we can notice that $30 \cdot 29 =870$ and that $31 \cdot 28 = 868$. Therefore, $\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28) +1} = \sqrt{(870)(868) +1} = \sqrt{(868 +1)^2} = \boxed{869}$. This is because we have that $a=868$ as per the equation $(a+1)^2 = a \cdot (a+2) +1$.

~qwertysri987

Solution 3 (Symmetry with Generalization)

More generally, we can prove that one more than the product of four consecutive integers must be a perfect square: \begin{align*} (a+3)(a+2)(a+1)(a)+1 &= [(a+3)(a)][(a+2)(a+1)]+1 \\ &= [a^2+3a][a^2+3a+2]+1 \\ &= [a^2+3a]^2+2[a^2+3a]+1 \\ &= [a^2+3a+1]^2. \end{align*} At $a=28,$ we have \[\sqrt{(a+3)(a+2)(a+1)(a)+1}=a^2+3a+1=\boxed{869}.\] ~Novus677 (Fundamental Logic)

~MRENTHUSIASM (Reconstruction)

Solution 4 (Symmetry with Generalization)

Similar to Solution 1 above, call the consecutive integers $\left(n-\frac{3}{2}\right), \left(n-\frac{1}{2}\right), \left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right), \left(n+\frac{3}{2}\right)$ to make use of symmetry. Note that $n$ itself is not an integer - in this case, $n = 29.5$. The expression becomes $\sqrt{\left(n-\frac{3}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{3}{2}\right)\left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right) + 1}$. Distributing each pair of difference of squares first, and then distributing the two resulting quadratics and adding the constant, gives $\sqrt{n^4 - \frac{5}{2}n^2 + \frac{25}{16}}$. The inside is a perfect square trinomial, since $b^2 = 4ac$. It's equal to $\sqrt{\left(n^2 - \frac{5}{4}\right)^2}$, which simplifies to $n^2 - \frac{5}{4}$. You can plug in the value of $n$ from there, or further simplify to $\left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\left(n + \frac{1}{2}\right) - 1$, which is easier to compute. Either way, plugging in $n=29.5$ gives $\boxed{869}$.

Solution 5 (Prime Factorization)

We have $(31)(30)(29)(28)+1=755161.$ Since the alternating sum of the digits $7-5+5-1+6-1=11$ is divisible by $11,$ we conclude that $755161$ is divisible by $11.$

We evaluate the original expression by prime factorization: \begin{align*} \sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1}&=\sqrt{755161} \\ &=\sqrt{11\cdot68651} \\ &=\sqrt{11^2\cdot6241} \\ &=\sqrt{11^2\cdot79^2} \\ &=11\cdot79 \\ &=\boxed{869}. \end{align*} ~Vrjmath (Fundamental Logic)

~MRENTHUSIASM (Reconstruction)

Solution 6 (Observation)

The last digit under the radical is $1$, so the square root must either end in $1$ or $9$, since $x^2 = 1\pmod {10}$ means $x = \pm 1$. Additionally, the number must be near $29 \cdot 30 = 870$, narrowing the reasonable choices to $869$ and $871$.

Continuing the logic, the next-to-last digit under the radical is the same as the last digit of $28 \cdot 29 \cdot 3 \cdot 31$, which is $6$. Quick computation shows that $869^2$ ends in $61$, while $871^2$ ends in $41$. Thus, the answer is $\boxed{869}$.

See also

1989 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
First Question 		Followed by
Problem 2
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. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=1989_AIME_Problems/Problem_1&oldid=163287"