Difference between revisions of "1993 USAMO Problems/Problem 1"
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is larger. | is larger. | ||
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+ | ===Solution 1=== | ||
Square and rearrange the first equation and also rearrange the second. | Square and rearrange the first equation and also rearrange the second. | ||
<cmath>\begin{align} | <cmath>\begin{align} | ||
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\end{align*}</cmath> | \end{align*}</cmath> | ||
where we substituted in equations (1) and (2) to achieve (5). Notice that from <math>a^{n}=a+1</math> we have <math>a>1</math>. Thus, if <math>b>a</math>, then <math>b^{2n-1}-1>a^{2n-1}-1</math>. Since <math>a>1\Rightarrow a^{2n-1}-1>0</math>, multiplying the two inequalities yields <math>b^{2n}-b>a^{2n}-a</math>, a contradiction, so <math>a> b</math>. However, when <math>n</math> equals <math>0</math> or <math>1</math>, the first equation becomes meaningless, so we conclude that for each integer <math>n\ge 2</math>, we always have <math>a>b</math>. | where we substituted in equations (1) and (2) to achieve (5). Notice that from <math>a^{n}=a+1</math> we have <math>a>1</math>. Thus, if <math>b>a</math>, then <math>b^{2n-1}-1>a^{2n-1}-1</math>. Since <math>a>1\Rightarrow a^{2n-1}-1>0</math>, multiplying the two inequalities yields <math>b^{2n}-b>a^{2n}-a</math>, a contradiction, so <math>a> b</math>. However, when <math>n</math> equals <math>0</math> or <math>1</math>, the first equation becomes meaningless, so we conclude that for each integer <math>n\ge 2</math>, we always have <math>a>b</math>. | ||
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+ | ===Solution 2=== | ||
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+ | Define <math>f(x)=x^n-x-1</math> and <math>g(x)=x^{2n}-x-3a</math>. By Descarte's Rule of Signs, both polynomials' only positive roots are <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>, respectively. With the Intermediate Value Theorem and the fact that <math>f(1)=-1</math> and <math>f(2)=2^n-3>0</math>, we have <math>a\in(1,2)</math>. | ||
+ | Thus, <math>-3a\in(-6,-3)</math>, which means that <math>g(1)=-3a<0</math>. Also, we find that <math>g(a)=a^{2n}-4a</math>. All that remains to prove is that <math>g(a)>0</math>, or <math>a^{2n}-4a>0</math>. We can then conclude that <math>b</math> is between <math>1</math> and <math>a</math> from the Intermediate Value Theorem. From the first equation given, <math>a^{2n}=(a+1)^2=a^2+2a+1</math>. Subtracting <math>4a</math> gives us <math>a^2-2a+1>0</math>, which is clearly true, as <math>a\neq1</math>. Therefore, we conclude that <math>1<b<a<2</math>. | ||
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== See also == | == See also == |
Revision as of 17:44, 7 July 2012
Contents
[hide]Problem
For each integer , determine, with proof, which of the two positive real numbers and satisfying is larger.
Solutions
Solution 1
Square and rearrange the first equation and also rearrange the second. It is trivial that since clearly cannot equal (Otherwise ). Thus where we substituted in equations (1) and (2) to achieve (5). Notice that from we have . Thus, if , then . Since , multiplying the two inequalities yields , a contradiction, so . However, when equals or , the first equation becomes meaningless, so we conclude that for each integer , we always have .
Solution 2
Define and . By Descarte's Rule of Signs, both polynomials' only positive roots are and , respectively. With the Intermediate Value Theorem and the fact that and , we have . Thus, , which means that . Also, we find that . All that remains to prove is that , or . We can then conclude that is between and from the Intermediate Value Theorem. From the first equation given, . Subtracting gives us , which is clearly true, as . Therefore, we conclude that .
See also
1993 USAMO (Problems • Resources) | ||
Preceded by First Problem |
Followed by Problem 2 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | ||
All USAMO Problems and Solutions |