Difference between revisions of "1969 Canadian MO Problems/Problem 2"

 
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== Solution 3 ==
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Plugging in <math>1</math> for both of the expressions, we get that <math>\sqrt{c+1} + \sqrt{c} = \sqrt{2} - \sqrt{1} = \sqrt{2} - 1</math> and <math>\sqrt{c} - \sqrt{c-1} = \sqrt{1} - \sqrt{0} = 1</math>. Since <math>\sqrt{2} - 1 < 1</math>, <math>\boxed{\sqrt{c} - \sqrt{c-1}}</math> is greater
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-andliu766
  
 
{{Old CanadaMO box|num-b=1|num-a=3|year=1969}}
 
{{Old CanadaMO box|num-b=1|num-a=3|year=1969}}

Latest revision as of 21:05, 13 August 2023

Problem

Determine which of the two numbers $\sqrt{c+1}-\sqrt{c}$, $\sqrt{c}-\sqrt{c-1}$ is greater for any $c\ge 1$.

Solution 1

Multiplying and dividing $\sqrt{c+1}-\sqrt c$ by its conjugate,

$\sqrt{c+1}-\sqrt c=\frac{(\sqrt{c+1})^2-(\sqrt c)^2}{\sqrt{c+1}+\sqrt{c}}=\frac1{\sqrt{c+1}+\sqrt{c}}.$

Similarly, $\sqrt c-\sqrt{c-1}=\frac{1}{\sqrt c+\sqrt{c-1}}$. We know that $\frac1{\sqrt{c+1}+\sqrt{c}}<\frac{1}{\sqrt c+\sqrt{c-1}}$ for all positive $c$, so $\sqrt{c+1}-\sqrt c <\sqrt c-\sqrt{c-1}$.

Solution 2

Considering the derivative of $f(x)=\sqrt{x+1}-\sqrt{x}$.

We have $f'(x)=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x+1}}-\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}$. Putting under a common denominator, we can see that the top will be negative.

Thus $\boxed{\sqrt{c}-\sqrt{c-1}}$ is greater.

~hastapasta

Solution 3

Plugging in $1$ for both of the expressions, we get that $\sqrt{c+1} + \sqrt{c} = \sqrt{2} - \sqrt{1} = \sqrt{2} - 1$ and $\sqrt{c} - \sqrt{c-1} = \sqrt{1} - \sqrt{0} = 1$. Since $\sqrt{2} - 1 < 1$, $\boxed{\sqrt{c} - \sqrt{c-1}}$ is greater -andliu766

1969 Canadian MO (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Followed by
Problem 3