1992 OIM Problems/Problem 2
Problem
Given the collection of positive real numbers
and the function:
Determine the sum of the lengths of the intervals, disjoint two by two, formed by all .
~translated into English by Tomas Diaz. ~orders@tomasdiaz.com
Solution
Since , we can plot
to visualize what we're looking for:
Notice that the intervals will be:
Thus the sum of the intervals will be:
Now we set :
And solve for zero:
$\sum_{j\ne i}^{}\left( a_i \prod_{j}^{}\left(x+a_j \right)\right)}-{\prod_{i}^{}\left( x+a_i\right)=0$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)
- Note. I actually competed at this event in Venezuela when I was in High School representing Puerto Rico. I got a ZERO on this one because I didn't even know what was I supposed to do, nor did I know what the sum of the lengths of the intervals, disjoint two by two meant. A decade ago I finally solved it but now I don't remember how. I will attempt to solve this one later.
Alternate solutions are always welcome. If you have a different, elegant solution to this problem, please add it to this page.