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

2015 AIME I Problems/Problem 9

Revision as of 12:42, 17 August 2019 by Alexlikemath (talk | contribs) (→‎Solution)

Problem

Let $S$ be the set of all ordered triple of integers $(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ with $1 \le a_1,a_2,a_3 \le 10$. Each ordered triple in $S$ generates a sequence according to the rule $a_n=a_{n-1}\cdot | a_{n-2}-a_{n-3} |$ for all $n\ge 4$. Find the number of such sequences for which $a_n=0$ for some $n$.

Solution

Let $a_1=x, a_2=y, a_3=z$. First note that if any absolute value equals 0, then $a_n=0$. Also note that if at any position, $a_n=a_{n-1}$, then $a_{n+2}=0$. Then, if any absolute value equals 1, then $a_n=0$. Therefore, if either $|y-x|$ or $|z-y|$ is less than or equal to 1, then that ordered triple meets the criteria. Assume that to be the only way the criteria is met. To prove, let $|y-x|>1$, and $|z-y|>1$. Then, $a_4 \ge 2z$, $a_5 \ge 4z$, and $a_6 \ge 4z$. However, since the minimum values of $a_5$ and $a_6$ are equal, there must be a scenario where the criteria was met that does not meet our earlier scenarios. Calculation shows that to be $z=1$, $|y-x|=2$. Again assume that any other scenario will not meet criteria. To prove, divide the other scenarios into two cases: $z>1$, $|y-x|>1$, and $|z-y|>1$; and $z=1$, $|y-x|>2$, and $|z-y|>1$. For the first one, $a_4 \ge 2z$, $a_5 \ge 4z$, $a_6 \ge 8z$, and $a_7 \ge 16z$, by which point we see that this function diverges. For the second one, $a_4 \ge 3$, $a_5 \ge 6$, $a_6 \ge 18$, and $a_7 \ge 54$, by which point we see that this function diverges.


Therefore, the only scenarios where $a_n=0$ is when any of the following are met: $|y-x|<2$ (280 options) $|z-y|<2$ (280 options, 80 of which coincide with option 1) $z=1$, $|y-x|=2$. (16 options, 2 of which coincide with either option 1 or option 2) Adding the total number of such ordered triples yields $280+280-80+16-2=\boxed{494}$.

  • Note to author:

Because $a_4 \ge 2z$, $a_5 \ge 4z$, $a_6 \ge 8z$, and $a_7 \ge 16z$ doesn't mean the function diverges. What if $z = 7$, $a_4 = 60$, and $a_5 = 60$ too?

See Also

2015 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 8 		Followed by
Problem 10
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME 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=2015_AIME_I_Problems/Problem_9&oldid=108946"