Difference between revisions of "2002 AIME I Problems/Problem 6"
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From the first equation: <math>A+B=4 \Rightarrow B = 4-A</math>. | From the first equation: <math>A+B=4 \Rightarrow B = 4-A</math>. | ||
− | Plugging this into the second equation yields <math>\frac{1}{A}-\frac{1}{B}=\frac{1}{A}-\frac{1}{4-A}=1 \Rightarrow A = 3\pm\sqrt{5}</math> and thus, <math>B=1\ | + | Plugging this into the second equation yields <math>\frac{1}{A}-\frac{1}{B}=\frac{1}{A}-\frac{1}{4-A}=1 \Rightarrow A = 3\pm\sqrt{5}</math> and thus, <math>B=1\pm\sqrt{5}</math>. |
So, <math>\log_{225}(x_1x_2)=\log_{225}(x_1)+\log_{225}(x_2)=(3+\sqrt{5})+(3-\sqrt{5})=6</math> <math>\Rightarrow x_1x_2=225^6=15^{12}</math>. | So, <math>\log_{225}(x_1x_2)=\log_{225}(x_1)+\log_{225}(x_2)=(3+\sqrt{5})+(3-\sqrt{5})=6</math> <math>\Rightarrow x_1x_2=225^6=15^{12}</math>. |
Latest revision as of 18:55, 23 April 2016
Problem
The solutions to the system of equations
are and . Find .
Solution
Let and let .
From the first equation: .
Plugging this into the second equation yields and thus, .
So, .
And .
Thus, .
One may simplify the work by applying Vieta's formulas to directly find that .
See also
2002 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 5 |
Followed by Problem 7 | |
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.