2003 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 23

Problem

The number of $x$-intercepts on the graph of $y=\sin(1/x)$ in the interval $(0.0001,0.001)$ is closest to

$\mathrm{(A)}\ 2900 \qquad\mathrm{(B)}\ 3000 \qquad\mathrm{(C)}\ 3100 \qquad\mathrm{(D)}\ 3200 \qquad\mathrm{(E)}\ 3300$

Solution

The function $f(x) = \sin x$ has roots in the form of $\pi n$ for all integers $n$. Therefore, we want $\frac{1}{x} = \pi n$ on $\frac{1}{10000} \le x \le \frac{1}{1000}$, so $1000 \le \frac 1x = \pi n \le 10000$. There are $\frac{10000-1000}{\pi} \approx \boxed{2900} \Rightarrow \mathrm{(A)}$ solutions for $n$ on this interval.

See also

2003 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 22
Followed by
Problem 24
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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