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 "2016 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 24"

(→‎Solution 2)
(→‎Solution 2)
Line 39: Line 39:
  
 
Thus, the smallest possible value of <math>a</math> is <math>3\sqrt{3}</math> which is achieved when all the roots are equal to <math>\sqrt{3}</math>. For this value of <math>a</math>, we can use Vieta's to get <math>b=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }9}</math>.
 
Thus, the smallest possible value of <math>a</math> is <math>3\sqrt{3}</math> which is achieved when all the roots are equal to <math>\sqrt{3}</math>. For this value of <math>a</math>, we can use Vieta's to get <math>b=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }9}</math>.
 +
 +
==Solution==
 +
 +
All three roots are identical. Therefore, comparing coefficients, the root of this cubic function is <math>sqrt{3}</math>.
 +
Using Vieta's, the coefficient we desire is the sum of the pairwise products of the roots. Because our root is unique, the answer is simply 3(<math>sqrt{3}</math>)^2<math> = 9
 +
</math>b=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }9}$
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC12 box|year=2016|ab=A|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
 
{{AMC12 box|year=2016|ab=A|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 06:41, 27 June 2016

Problem

There is a smallest positive real number $a$ such that there exists a positive real number $b$ such that all the roots of the polynomial $x^3-ax^2+bx-a$ are real. In fact, for this value of $a$ the value of $b$ is unique. What is this value of $b$?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 8\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 9\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 10\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 11\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 12$

Solution

Solution 1

The acceleration must be zero at the $x$-intercept; this intercept must be an inflection point for the minimum $a$ value. Derive $f(x)$ so that the acceleration $f''(x)=0$: $x^3-ax^2+bx-a\rightarrow 3x^2-2ax+b\rightarrow 6x-2a\rightarrow x=\frac{a}{3}$ for the inflection point/root. Furthermore, the slope of the function must be zero - maximum - at the intercept, thus having a triple root at $x=a/3$ (if the slope is greater than zero, there will be two complex roots and we do not want that).

The function with the minimum $a$:

\[f(x)=\left(x-\frac{a}{3}\right)^3\] \[x^3-ax^2+\left(\frac{a^2}{3}\right)x-\frac{a^3}{27}\] Since this is equal to the original equation $x^3-ax^2+bx-a$,

\[\frac{a^3}{27}=a\rightarrow a^2=27\rightarrow a=3\sqrt{3}\] \[b=\frac{a^2}{3}=\frac{27}{3}=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }9}\]

The actual function: $f(x)=x^3-\left(3\sqrt{3}\right)x^2+9x-3\sqrt{3}$

$f(x)=0\rightarrow x=\sqrt{3}$ triple root. "Complete the cube."


Solution 2

Note that since both $a$ and $b$ are positive, all 3 roots of the polynomial are positive as well.


Let the roots of the polynomial be $r, s, t$. By Vieta's $a=r+s+t$ and $a=rst$.


Since $r, s, t$ are positive we can apply AM-GM to get $\frac{r+s+t}{3} \ge \sqrt[3]{rst} \rightarrow \frac{a}{3} \ge \sqrt[3]{a}$. Cubing both sides and then dividing by $a$ (since $a$ is positive we can divide by $a$ and not change the sign of the inequality) yields $\frac{a^2}{27} \ge 1 \rightarrow a \ge 3\sqrt{3}$.


Thus, the smallest possible value of $a$ is $3\sqrt{3}$ which is achieved when all the roots are equal to $\sqrt{3}$. For this value of $a$, we can use Vieta's to get $b=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }9}$.

Solution

All three roots are identical. Therefore, comparing coefficients, the root of this cubic function is $sqrt{3}$. Using Vieta's, the coefficient we desire is the sum of the pairwise products of the roots. Because our root is unique, the answer is simply 3($sqrt{3}$)^2$= 9$b=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }9}$

See Also

2016 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 23 		Followed by
Problem 25
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AMC 12 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=2016_AMC_12A_Problems/Problem_24&oldid=79101"