Difference between revisions of "2013 AIME I Problems/Problem 10"

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==Problem 10==
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==Problem ==
 
There are nonzero integers <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, <math>r</math>, and <math>s</math> such that the complex number <math>r+si</math> is a zero of the polynomial <math>P(x)={x}^{3}-a{x}^{2}+bx-65</math>. For each possible combination of <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>, let <math>{p}_{a,b}</math> be the sum of the zeros of <math>P(x)</math>. Find the sum of the <math>{p}_{a,b}</math>'s for all possible combinations of <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>.
 
There are nonzero integers <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, <math>r</math>, and <math>s</math> such that the complex number <math>r+si</math> is a zero of the polynomial <math>P(x)={x}^{3}-a{x}^{2}+bx-65</math>. For each possible combination of <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>, let <math>{p}_{a,b}</math> be the sum of the zeros of <math>P(x)</math>. Find the sum of the <math>{p}_{a,b}</math>'s for all possible combinations of <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>.
  
  
== Solution ==
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== Solution==
(solution)
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Since <math>r+si</math> is a root, by the Complex Conjugate Root Theorem, <math>r-si</math> must be the other imaginary root. Using <math>q</math> to represent the real root, we have
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<math>(x-q)(x-r-si)(x-r+si) = x^3 -ax^2 + bx -65</math>
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Applying difference of squares, and regrouping, we have
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<math>(x-q)(x^2 - 2rx + (r^2 + s^2)) = x^3 -ax^2 + bx -65</math>
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So matching coefficients, we obtain
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<math>q(r^2 + s^2) = 65</math>
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<math>b = r^2 + s^2 + 2rq</math>
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<math>a = q + 2r</math>
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By Vieta's each <math> {p}_{a,b} = a </math> so we just need to find the values of <math> a </math> in each pair.
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We proceed by determining possible values for <math>q</math>, <math>r</math>, and <math>s</math> and using these to determine <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>.
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If <math>q = 1</math>, <math>r^2 + s^2 = 65</math>
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so (r, s) = <math>(\pm1, \pm 8), (\pm8, \pm 1), (\pm4, \pm 7), (\pm7, \pm 4)</math>
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Similarly, for <math>q = 5</math>, <math>r^2 + s^2 = 13</math> so the pairs <math>(r,s)</math> are
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<math>(\pm2, \pm 3), (\pm3, \pm 2)</math>
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For <math>q = 13</math>, <math>r^2 + s^2 = 5</math> so the pairs <math> (r,s)</math> are
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<math>(\pm2, \pm 1), (\pm1, \pm 2)</math>
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Now we can disregard the plus minus signs for s because those cases are included as complex conjugates of the counted cases.
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The positive and negative values of r will cancel, so the sum of the  <math> {p}_{a,b} = a </math> for <math>q = 1</math> is <math>q</math> times the number of distinct <math>r</math> values (as each value of <math>r</math> generates a pair <math>(a,b)</math>).
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Our answer is then <math>(1)(8) + (5)(4) + (13)(4) = \boxed{080}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2013|n=I|num-b=9|num-a=11}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2013|n=I|num-b=9|num-a=11}}
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{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 12:05, 10 August 2021

Problem

There are nonzero integers $a$, $b$, $r$, and $s$ such that the complex number $r+si$ is a zero of the polynomial $P(x)={x}^{3}-a{x}^{2}+bx-65$. For each possible combination of $a$ and $b$, let ${p}_{a,b}$ be the sum of the zeros of $P(x)$. Find the sum of the ${p}_{a,b}$'s for all possible combinations of $a$ and $b$.


Solution

Since $r+si$ is a root, by the Complex Conjugate Root Theorem, $r-si$ must be the other imaginary root. Using $q$ to represent the real root, we have

$(x-q)(x-r-si)(x-r+si) = x^3 -ax^2 + bx -65$

Applying difference of squares, and regrouping, we have

$(x-q)(x^2 - 2rx + (r^2 + s^2)) = x^3 -ax^2 + bx -65$

So matching coefficients, we obtain

$q(r^2 + s^2) = 65$

$b = r^2 + s^2 + 2rq$

$a = q + 2r$

By Vieta's each ${p}_{a,b} = a$ so we just need to find the values of $a$ in each pair. We proceed by determining possible values for $q$, $r$, and $s$ and using these to determine $a$ and $b$.

If $q = 1$, $r^2 + s^2 = 65$ so (r, s) = $(\pm1, \pm 8), (\pm8, \pm 1), (\pm4, \pm 7), (\pm7, \pm 4)$

Similarly, for $q = 5$, $r^2 + s^2 = 13$ so the pairs $(r,s)$ are $(\pm2, \pm 3), (\pm3, \pm 2)$

For $q = 13$, $r^2 + s^2 = 5$ so the pairs $(r,s)$ are $(\pm2, \pm 1), (\pm1, \pm 2)$

Now we can disregard the plus minus signs for s because those cases are included as complex conjugates of the counted cases. The positive and negative values of r will cancel, so the sum of the ${p}_{a,b} = a$ for $q = 1$ is $q$ times the number of distinct $r$ values (as each value of $r$ generates a pair $(a,b)$). Our answer is then $(1)(8) + (5)(4) + (13)(4) = \boxed{080}$.

See also

2013 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 9
Followed by
Problem 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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