# Difference between revisions of "2012 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 24"

## Problem

Let $\{a_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$ be the sequence of real numbers defined by $a_1=0.201,$ $a_2=(0.2011)^{a_1},$ $a_3=(0.20101)^{a_2},$ $a_4=(0.201011)^{a_3}$, and in general,

$$a_k=\begin{cases}(0.\underbrace{20101\cdots 0101}_{k+2\text{ digits}})^{a_{k-1}}\qquad\text{if }k\text{ is odd,}\\(0.\underbrace{20101\cdots 01011}_{k+2\text{ digits}})^{a_{k-1}}\qquad\text{if }k\text{ is even.}\end{cases}$$

Rearranging the numbers in the sequence $\{a_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$ in decreasing order produces a new sequence $\{b_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$. What is the sum of all integers $k$, $1\le k \le 2011$, such that $a_k=b_k?$

$\textbf{(A)}\ 671\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 1006\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 1341\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 2011\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 2012$

## Solution 1

First, we must understand two important functions: $f(x) = b^x$ for $0 < b < 1$(decreasing exponential function), and $g(x) = x^k$ for $k > 0$(increasing exponential function for positive $x$). $f(x)$ is used to establish inequalities when we change the exponent and keep the base constant. $g(x)$ is used to establish inequalities when we change the base and keep the exponent constant.

We will now examine the first few terms.

Comparing $a_1$ and $a_2$, $0 < a_1 = (0.201)^1 < (0.201)^{a_1} < (0.2011)^{a_1} = a_2 < 1 \Rightarrow 0 < a_1 < a_2 < 1$.

Therefore, $0 < a_1 < a_2 < 1$.

Comparing $a_2$ and $a_3$, $0 < a_3 = (0.20101)^{a_2} < (0.20101)^{a_1} < (0.2011)^{a_1} = a_2 < 1 \Rightarrow 0 < a_3 < a_2 < 1$.

Comparing $a_1$ and $a_3$, $0 < a_1 = (0.201)^1 < (0.201)^{a_2} < (0.20101)^{a_2} = a_3 < 1 \Rightarrow 0 < a_1 < a_3 < 1$.

Therefore, $0 < a_1 < a_3 < a_2 < 1$.

Comparing $a_3$ and $a_4$, $0 < a_3 = (0.20101)^{a_2} < (0.20101)^{a_3} < (0.201011)^{a_3} = a_4 < 1 \Rightarrow 0 < a_3 < a_4 < 1$.

Comparing $a_2$ and $a_4$, $0 < a_4 = (0.201011)^{a_3} < (0.201011)^{a_1} < (0.2011)^{a_1} = a_2 < 1 \Rightarrow 0 < a_4 < a_2 < 1$.

Therefore, $0 < a_1 < a_3 < a_4 < a_2 < 1$.

Continuing in this manner, it is easy to see a pattern(see Note 1).

Therefore, the only $k$ when $a_k = b_k$ is when $2(k-1006) = 2011 - k$. Solving gives $\boxed{\textbf{(C)} 1341}$.

Note 1: We claim that $0 < a_1 < a_3 < ... < a_{2011} < a_{2010} < ... < a_4 < a_2 < 1$.

We can use induction to prove this statement. (not necessary for AMC):

Base Case: We have already shown the base case above, where $0 < a_1 < a_2 < 1$.

Inductive Step:

Rearranging in decreasing order gives $1 > b_1 = a_2 > b_2 = a_4 > ... > b_{1005} = a_{2010} > b_{1006} = a_{2011} > ... > b_{2010} = a_3 > b_{2011} = a_1 > 0$.

## Solution 2

Start by looking at the first few terms and comparing them to each other. We can see that $a_1 < a_2$, and that $a_1 < a_3 < a_2$, and that $a_3 < a_4 < a_2$, and that $a_3 < a_5 < a_4$ ...

From this, we find the pattern that $a_{k-1} < a_{k+1} < a_k$.

Examining this relationship, we see that every new number $a_k$ will be between the previous two terms, $a_{k-1}$ and $a_{k-2}$. Therefore, we can see that $a_1$ is the smallest number, $a_2$ is the largest number, and that all odd terms are less than even terms. Furthermore, we can see that for every odd k, $a_k < a_{k+2}$, and for every even k, $a_k > a_{k+2}$

This means that rearranging the terms in descending order will first have all the even terms from $a_2$ to $a_2012$, in that order, and then all odd terms from $a_2011$ to $a_1$, in that order (so $\{b_k\}_{k=1}^{2011} = {a_2, a_4, a_6, ... a_{2008}, a_{2010}, a_{2011}, a_{2009}, ... a_5, a_3, a_1}$).

We can clearly see that there will be no solution k where k is even, as the $k$th term in $\{a_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$ will appear in the same position in its sequence as the $2k$th term does in $\{a_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$, where k is even. Therefore, we only have to look at the odd terms of $a_k$, which occur in the latter part of $b_k$.

Looking at the back of both sequences, we see that term k in $\{a_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$ progresses backwards in the equation $2012 - k$, and that term k in $\{a_k\}_{k=1}^{2011}$ progresses backwards in the equation $2k - 1$. Setting these two expressions equal to each other, we get $671$.

However, remember that we started counting from the back of both sequences. So, plugging $671$ back into either side of the equation from earlier, we get our answer of $\boxed{\textbf{(C)} 1341}$.

Sorry for the sloppy explanation. It's been two years since I've tried to give a solution to a problem, and this is the first time I've really used \LaTeX. But I think this solution takes a different approach than the one above.

~dolphin7