Difference between revisions of "2012 AIME II Problems/Problem 10"
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== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
| + | We know that x cannot be irrational because the product of a rational number and an irrational number is irrational (but n is an integer). Therefore x is rational. | ||
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| + | Let <math>x = a + \frac{b}{c}</math> where a,b,c are nonnegative integers and <math>0 \le b < c</math> (essentially, x is a mixed number). Then, | ||
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| + | <math>n = (a + \frac{b}{c}) \lfloor a +\frac{b}{c} \rfloor \Rightarrow n = (a + \frac{b}{c})a = a^2 + \frac{ab}{c}</math> Here it is sufficient for <math>\frac{ab}{c}</math> to be an integer. We can use casework based on the value of a: | ||
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| + | a = 0 --> nothing because n is positive | ||
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| + | a = 1 --> b/c = 0/1 | ||
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| + | a = 2 --> b/c = 0/2, 1/2 | ||
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| + | a = 3 --> b/c = 0/3, 1/3, 2/3 | ||
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| + | The pattern continues up to a = 31. Note that if a = 32, then n > 1000. However if a = 31, the largest possible x is 31 + 30/31, in which n is still less than 1000. Therefore the number of positive integers for n is equal to 1+2+3+...+31 = 31*32/2 = 496. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{AIME box|year=2012|n=II|num-b=9|num-a=11}} | {{AIME box|year=2012|n=II|num-b=9|num-a=11}} | ||
Revision as of 18:09, 31 March 2012
Problem 10
Find the number of positive integers 
less than 
for which there exists a positive real number 
such that 
.
Note: 
is the greatest integer less than or equal to .
Solution
We know that x cannot be irrational because the product of a rational number and an irrational number is irrational (but n is an integer). Therefore x is rational.
Let 
where a,b,c are nonnegative integers and 
(essentially, x is a mixed number). Then,
Here it is sufficient for 
to be an integer. We can use casework based on the value of a:
a = 0 --> nothing because n is positive
a = 1 --> b/c = 0/1
a = 2 --> b/c = 0/2, 1/2
a = 3 --> b/c = 0/3, 1/3, 2/3
The pattern continues up to a = 31. Note that if a = 32, then n > 1000. However if a = 31, the largest possible x is 31 + 30/31, in which n is still less than 1000. Therefore the number of positive integers for n is equal to 1+2+3+...+31 = 31*32/2 = 496.
See also
| 2012 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
| Preceded by Problem 9 |
Followed by Problem 11 | |
| 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
| All AIME Problems and Solutions | ||
