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Difference between revisions of "1989 AHSME Problems/Problem 28"

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The roots of <math>t^2-9t+1=0</math> are positive and distinct, so by considering the graph of <math>y=\tan x</math>, the smallest two roots of the original equation <math>x_1,\ x_2</math> are between <math>0</math> and <math>\tfrac\pi{2}</math>, and the two other roots are <math>\pi+x_1, \pi+x_2</math>.
 
The roots of <math>t^2-9t+1=0</math> are positive and distinct, so by considering the graph of <math>y=\tan x</math>, the smallest two roots of the original equation <math>x_1,\ x_2</math> are between <math>0</math> and <math>\tfrac\pi{2}</math>, and the two other roots are <math>\pi+x_1, \pi+x_2</math>.
  
−
Then from the quadratic equation we discover that the product <math>\tan x_1\tan x_2=1</math> which implies that <math>\tan(x_1+x_2)</math> does not exist. The bounds then imply that <math>x_1+x_2=\tfrac\pi{2}</math>. Thus <math>x_1+x_2+\pi+x_1+\pi+x_2=3\pi</math> which is <math>\rm{(D)}</math>.
+
Then, from the quadratic equation, we discover that the product <math>\tan x_1\tan x_2=1</math>, which implies that <math>\tan(x_1+x_2)</math> does not exist. The bounds then imply that <math>x_1+x_2=\tfrac\pi{2}</math>. Thus <math>x_1+x_2+\pi+x_1+\pi+x_2=3\pi</math> which is <math>\rm{(D)}</math>.
  
 
== Second Solution ==
 
== Second Solution ==
Line 19: Line 19:
 
Summing these, we obtain <math>2(x_1+x_2) + 2\pi</math>.
 
Summing these, we obtain <math>2(x_1+x_2) + 2\pi</math>.
 
Using the fact that <math>x_1+x_2=0.5\pi</math>,
 
Using the fact that <math>x_1+x_2=0.5\pi</math>,
−
we get <math>2(0.5\pi) + 2\pi = 3\pi</math>
+
we get <math>2(0.5\pi) + 2\pi = 3\pi.</math>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 14:12, 25 February 2018

Problem

Find the sum of the roots of $\tan^2x-9\tan x+1=0$ that are between $x=0$ and $x=2\pi$ radians.

$\mathrm{(A) \frac{\pi}{2} } \qquad \mathrm{(B) \pi } \qquad \mathrm{(C) \frac{3\pi}{2} } \qquad \mathrm{(D) 3\pi } \qquad \mathrm{(E) 4\pi }$

Solution

The roots of $t^2-9t+1=0$ are positive and distinct, so by considering the graph of $y=\tan x$, the smallest two roots of the original equation $x_1,\ x_2$ are between $0$ and $\tfrac\pi{2}$, and the two other roots are $\pi+x_1, \pi+x_2$.

Then, from the quadratic equation, we discover that the product $\tan x_1\tan x_2=1$, which implies that $\tan(x_1+x_2)$ does not exist. The bounds then imply that $x_1+x_2=\tfrac\pi{2}$. Thus $x_1+x_2+\pi+x_1+\pi+x_2=3\pi$ which is $\rm{(D)}$.

Second Solution

$t^2-9t+1=0$: We treat $\tan(x_1)$ and $\tan(x_2)$ as the roots of our equation. Because $\tan(x_1) \times \tan(x_2) = 1$ by Vieta's formula, $x_1 + x_2 = 0.5\pi$. Because the principal values of $x_1$ and $x_2$ are acute and our range for $x$ is $[0,2\pi]$, we have four values of $x$ that satisfy the quadratic: $x_1, x_2, x_1+\pi, x_2+\pi.$ Summing these, we obtain $2(x_1+x_2) + 2\pi$. Using the fact that $x_1+x_2=0.5\pi$, we get $2(0.5\pi) + 2\pi = 3\pi.$

See also

1989 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 27 		Followed by
Problem 29
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 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30
All AHSME Problems and Solutions

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