Difference between revisions of "2012 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 24"
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<math>(a - b)^2 + (a - c)^2 + (b - c)^2 = 14</math> | <math>(a - b)^2 + (a - c)^2 + (b - c)^2 = 14</math> | ||
− | <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math> are all integers, so the three terms on the left side of the equation must all be perfect squares. We see that the only is possibility is <math>14 = 9 + 4 + 1</math>. | + | <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math> are all integers, so the three terms on the left side of the equation must all be perfect squares. |
+ | We see that the only is possibility is <math>14 = 9 + 4 + 1</math>. | ||
− | <math>(a-c)^2 = 9 \ | + | <math>(a-c)^2 = 9 \Rightarrow a-c = 3</math>, since <math>a-c</math> is the biggest difference. It is impossible to determine by inspection whether <math>a-b = 1</math> or <math>2</math>, or whether <math>b-c = 1</math> or <math>2</math>. |
We want to solve for <math>a</math>, so take the two cases and solve them each for an expression in terms of <math>a</math>. Our two cases are <math>(a, b, c) = (a, a-1, a-3)</math> or <math>(a, a-2, a-3)</math>. Plug these values into one of the original equations to see if we can get an integer for <math>a</math>. | We want to solve for <math>a</math>, so take the two cases and solve them each for an expression in terms of <math>a</math>. Our two cases are <math>(a, b, c) = (a, a-1, a-3)</math> or <math>(a, a-2, a-3)</math>. Plug these values into one of the original equations to see if we can get an integer for <math>a</math>. |
Revision as of 16:55, 20 January 2021
- The following problem is from both the 2012 AMC 12A #21 and 2012 AMC 10A #24, so both problems redirect to this page.
Problem
Let ,
, and
be positive integers with
such that
and
.
What is ?
Solution
Add the two equations.
.
Now, this can be rearranged and factored.
,
, and
are all integers, so the three terms on the left side of the equation must all be perfect squares.
We see that the only is possibility is
.
, since
is the biggest difference. It is impossible to determine by inspection whether
or
, or whether
or
.
We want to solve for , so take the two cases and solve them each for an expression in terms of
. Our two cases are
or
. Plug these values into one of the original equations to see if we can get an integer for
.
, after some algebra, simplifies to
.
is not divisible by
, so
is not an integer.
The other case gives , which simplifies to
. Thus,
and the answer is
.
Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk
https://artofproblemsolving.com/videos/amc/2012amc12a/250
~dolphin7
See Also
2012 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 23 |
Followed by Problem 25 | |
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 | ||
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions |
2012 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 20 |
Followed by Problem 22 |
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 | |
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.