Difference between revisions of "2000 AIME II Problems/Problem 15"
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Therefore, the entire thing equals approximately <math>\frac{1}{60}</math>. | Therefore, the entire thing equals approximately <math>\frac{1}{60}</math>. | ||
− | Recall that the approximation of <math>\sin(x)</math> in radians is x if x is close to zero. In this case x is close to zero. Converting to radians we see that <math>\sin(1)</math> in degrees is about sin<math>\frac{1}{57}</math> in radians, or is about <math>\frac{1}{57}</math> because of the approximation. What we want is apparently close to that so we make the guess that n is equal to 1 degree. Basically, it boils down to the approximation of <math>sin(1)=\frac{1}{60}</math> in degrees, convert to radians and use the small angle approximation <math>\sin(x)=x</math>. | + | Recall that the approximation of <math>\sin(x)</math> in radians is x if x is close to zero. In this case x is close to zero. Converting to radians we see that <math>\sin(1)</math> in degrees is about sin<math>\frac{1}{57}</math> in radians, or is about <math>\frac{1}{57}</math> because of the approximation. What we want is apparently close to that so we make the guess that n is equal to 1 degree. Basically, it boils down to the approximation of <math>\sin(1)=\frac{1}{60}</math> in degrees, convert to radians and use the small angle approximation <math>\sin(x)=x</math>. |
== See also == | == See also == |
Revision as of 09:37, 26 October 2016
Contents
Problem
Find the least positive integer such that
![$\frac 1{\sin 45^\circ\sin 46^\circ}+\frac 1{\sin 47^\circ\sin 48^\circ}+\cdots+\frac 1{\sin 133^\circ\sin 134^\circ}=\frac 1{\sin n^\circ}.$](http://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/4/c/9/4c9c990a7b70753fe475b450cb0915460af6cf64.png)
Solution 1
We apply the identity
The motivation for this identity arises from the need to decompose those fractions, possibly into telescoping.
Thus our summation becomes
Since , the summation simply reduces to
. Therefore, the answer is
.
Solution 2
We can make an approximation by observing the following points:
The average term is around the 60's which gives .
There are 45 terms, so the approximate sum is 60.
Therefore, the entire thing equals approximately .
Recall that the approximation of in radians is x if x is close to zero. In this case x is close to zero. Converting to radians we see that
in degrees is about sin
in radians, or is about
because of the approximation. What we want is apparently close to that so we make the guess that n is equal to 1 degree. Basically, it boils down to the approximation of
in degrees, convert to radians and use the small angle approximation
.
See also
2000 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 14 |
Followed by Last Question | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
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