Difference between revisions of "2000 AIME I Problems/Problem 3"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
{{solution}}
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From the [[binomial theorem]],
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<math>\binom{2000}{2}*b^{1998}a=\binom{2000}{3}b^{1997}a^2</math>
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<math>b=666a</math>
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Since a and b are positive relatively prime integers, a=1 and b=666.
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<math>a+b=\boxed{667}</math>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2000|n=I|num-b=2|num-a=4}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2000|n=I|num-b=2|num-a=4}}

Revision as of 09:52, 13 November 2007

Problem

In the expansion of $(ax + b)^{2000},$ where $a$ and $b$ are relatively prime positive integers, the coefficients of $x^{2}$ and $x^{3}$ are equal. Find $a + b$.

Solution

From the binomial theorem,

$\binom{2000}{2}*b^{1998}a=\binom{2000}{3}b^{1997}a^2$

$b=666a$

Since a and b are positive relatively prime integers, a=1 and b=666.

$a+b=\boxed{667}$

See also

2000 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions