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The parabolas $y = (x + 1)^2$ and $x + 4 = (y - 3)^2$ intersect at four points $(x_1,y_1),$ $(x_2,y_2),$ $(x_3,y_3),$ and $(x_4,y_4).$ Find
\[x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4 + y_1 + y_2 + y_3 + y_4.\] | Level 4 | To find $x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4,$ we can try to find a quartic equation whose roots are $x_1,$ $x_2,$ $x_3,$ and $x_4.$ To this end, we substitute $y = (x + 1)^2$ into $x + 4 = (y - 3)^2,$ to get
\[x + 4 = ((x + 1)^2 - 3)^2.\]Expanding, we get $x^4 + 4x^3 - 9x = 0.$ By Vieta's formulas, $x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4 = -4.$
Substituting $x = (y - 3)^2 - 4$ into $y = (x + 1)^2,$ we get
\[y = ((y - 3)^2 - 3)^2.\]Expanding, we get $y^4 - 12y^3 + 48y^2 - 73y + 36 = 0.$ By Vieta's formulas, $y_1 + y_2 + y_3 + y_4 = 12.$
Therefore, $x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4 + y_1 + y_2 + y_3 + y_4 = \boxed{8}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the largest constant $m,$ so that for any positive real numbers $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ and $d,$
\[\sqrt{\frac{a}{b + c + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{b}{a + c + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{c}{a + b + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{d}{a + b + c}} > m.\] | Level 4 | By GM-HM applied to 1 and $\frac{a}{b + c + d},$
\[\sqrt{1 \cdot \frac{a}{b + c + d}} \ge \frac{2}{\frac{1}{1} + \frac{b + c + d}{a}} = \frac{2a}{a + b + c + d}.\]Similarly,
\begin{align*}
\sqrt{\frac{b}{a + c + d}} &\ge \frac{2b}{a + b + c + d}, \\
\sqrt{\frac{c}{a + b + d}} &\ge \frac{2c}{a + b + c + d}, \\
\sqrt{\frac{d}{a + b + c}} &\ge \frac{2d}{a + b + c + d}.
\end{align*}Adding up all these inequalities, we get
\[\sqrt{\frac{a}{b + c + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{b}{a + c + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{c}{a + b + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{d}{a + b + c}} \ge \frac{2a + 2b + 2c + 2d}{a + b + c + d} = 2.\]The only we can get equality is if
\begin{align*}
a &= b + c + d, \\
b &= a + c + d, \\
c &= a + b + d, \\
d &= a + b + c.
\end{align*}Adding these equations, we get $a + b + c + d = 3(a + b + c + d),$ so $a + b + c + d = 0,$ which is impossible. Thus, equality is not possible.
However, by setting $a = c = 1$ and $b = d = \epsilon,$ where $\epsilon$ is a small positive number, then
\[\sqrt{\frac{a}{b + c + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{b}{a + c + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{c}{a + b + d}} + \sqrt{\frac{d}{a + b + c}} = 2 \sqrt{\frac{1}{1 + 2 \epsilon}} + 2 \sqrt{\frac{\epsilon}{2 + \epsilon}}.\]As $\epsilon$ approaches 0, the expression approaches 2. Thus, we can make the expression arbitrarily close to 2, so $m = \boxed{2}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
An ellipse has foci $(2, 2)$ and $(2, 6)$, and it passes through the point $(14, -3).$ Given this, we can write the equation of the ellipse in standard form as \[\frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} + \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1,\]where $a, b, h, k$ are constants, and $a$ and $b$ are positive. Find the ordered quadruple $(a, b, h, k)$.
(Enter your answer as an ordered list, for example, "1, 3, -9, 2".) | Level 5 | The sum of the distances from $(14, -3)$ to the two foci is \[\sqrt{(14-2)^2 + (-3-2)^2} + \sqrt{(14-2)^2 + (-3-6)^2} = 13 + 15 = 28.\]Therefore, the major axis has length $28.$ Since the distance between the foci is $\sqrt{(2-2)^2 + (2-6)^2} = 4,$ it follows that the length of the minor axis is $\sqrt{28^2 - 4^2} = 4\sqrt{7^2 - 1} = 4\sqrt{48} = 16\sqrt3.$
The center of the ellipse is the midpoint of the segment between the foci, which is $(2, 4).$ Since the foci and the center have the same $x$-coordinate, the major axis is parallel to the $y$-axis, and the minor axis is parallel to the $x$-axis. Putting all this together, we get the equation of the ellipse: \[\frac{(x-2)^2}{(8\sqrt3)^2} + \frac{(y-4)^2}{14^2} = 1. \]Thus, $(a, b, h, k) = \boxed{ (8\sqrt3, 14, 2, 4)}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
How many of the first $1000$ positive integers can be expressed in the form
\[\lfloor 2x \rfloor + \lfloor 4x \rfloor + \lfloor 6x \rfloor + \lfloor 8x \rfloor\]where $x$ is a real number, and $\lfloor z \rfloor$ denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to $z$? | Level 4 | Let $f(x)$ be the given expression. We first examine the possible values of $f(x)$ for $x$ in the interval $(0, 1].$ Note that $f(0) = 0,$ while $f(1) = 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20.$
As we increase $x$ from $0$ to $1,$ each of the four floor functions "jumps up" by $1$ at certain points. Furthermore, if multiple floor functions "jump up" at the same value of $x,$ then some integers will be skipped.
For each $k,$ the function $\lfloor kx \rfloor$ "jumps up" at $x = \tfrac{1}{k}, \tfrac{2}{k}, \ldots, \tfrac{k-1}{k}, \tfrac{k}{k}.$ Therefore, we see that at $x = \tfrac{1}{2}$ and $x = 1,$ all four of the given functions "jump up," so that three integers are skipped. Also, for $x = \tfrac{1}{4}$ and $x =\tfrac{3}{4},$ the functions $\lfloor 4x \rfloor$ and $\lfloor 8x \rfloor$ both "jump up," skipping one integer.
Thus, for $0 < x \le 1,$ $f(x)$ takes $20 - 3 - 3 - 1 - 1 = 12$ positive integer values. Notice that \[\begin{aligned} f(x+1) &= \lfloor 2(x+1) \rfloor + \lfloor 4(x+1) \rfloor + \lfloor 6(x+1) \rfloor + \lfloor 8(x+1) \rfloor \\ &= \left(\lfloor 2x \rfloor+2\right) + \left(\lfloor 4x \rfloor +4\right)+ \left(\lfloor 6x\rfloor+6 \right)+ \left(\lfloor 8x \rfloor +8\right) \\ &= f(x) + 20. \end{aligned}\]Therefore, in the interval $1 < x \le 2,$ $f(x)$ takes $12$ more integer values between $21$ and $40,$ respectively. In general, $f(x)$ takes $12$ out of every $20$ positive integer values from the list $20a, 20a+1, \ldots, 2a+19.$
Since $20$ is a divisor of $1000,$ exactly $\tfrac{12}{20} = \tfrac{3}{5}$ of the first $1000$ positive integers are possible values for $f(x).$ Thus the answer is $1000 \cdot \tfrac{3}{5} = \boxed{600}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
For a positive integer $n,$ let
\[a_n = \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{1}{\binom{n}{k}} \quad \text{and} \quad b_n = \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{k}{\binom{n}{k}}.\]Simplify $\frac{a_n}{b_n}.$ | Level 5 | For the sum $b_n,$ let $j = n - k,$ so $k = n - j.$ Then
\begin{align*}
b_n &= \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{k}{\binom{n}{k}} \\
&= \sum_{j = n}^0 \frac{n - j}{\binom{n}{n - j}} \\
&= \sum_{j = 0}^n \frac{n - j}{\binom{n}{j}} \\
&= \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{n - k}{\binom{n}{k}},
\end{align*}so
\[b_n + b_n = \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{k}{\binom{n}{k}} + \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{n - k}{\binom{n}{k}} = \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{n}{\binom{n}{k}} = n \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{1}{\binom{n}{k}} = na_n.\]Then $2b_n = na_n,$ so $\frac{a_n}{b_n} = \boxed{\frac{2}{n}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
If $a,$ $b,$ $x,$ and $y$ are real numbers such that $ax+by=3,$ $ax^2+by^2=7,$ $ax^3+by^3=16,$ and $ax^4+by^4=42,$ find $ax^5+by^5.$ | Level 4 | For $n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,$ define $s_n = ax^n + by^n.$ We are given the values of $s_1, s_2, s_3,$ and $s_4,$ and want to compute $s_5.$
We find a relationship between the terms $s_n.$ Notice that \[\begin{aligned} (x+y)(ax^n + by^n) &= ax^{n+1} + bxy^n + ax^ny + by^{n+1} \\ &= (ax^{n+1} + by^{n+1}) + xy(ax^{n-1} + by^{n-1}). \end{aligned}\]In other words, $(x+y) s_n= s_{n+1} + xys_{n-1}$ for all $n.$ Therefore, taking $n=2$ and $n=3,$ we get \[\begin{aligned} 7(x+y) &= 16 + 3xy \\ 16(x+y) &= 42 + 7xy. \end{aligned}\]Solving this system of equations for $x+y$ and $xy$ gives $x+y = -14$ and $x=-38.$ Thus, taking $n=4,$ we get \[42(x+y) = s_5 + 16xy,\]so \[s_5 = 42(-14) - 16(-38) = \boxed{20}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
The numbers $a_1,$ $a_2,$ $a_3,$ $b_1,$ $b_2,$ $b_3,$ $c_1,$ $c_2,$ $c_3$ are equal to the numbers $1,$ $2,$ $3,$ $\dots,$ $9$ in some order. Find the smallest possible value of
\[a_1 a_2 a_3 + b_1 b_2 b_3 + c_1 c_2 c_3.\] | Level 5 | Let $S = a_1 a_2 a_3 + b_1 b_2 b_3 + c_1 c_2 c_3.$ Then by AM-GM,
\[S \ge 3 \sqrt[3]{a_1 a_2 a_3 b_1 b_2 b_3 c_1 c_2 c_3} = 3 \sqrt[3]{9!} \approx 213.98.\]Since $S$ is an integer, $S \ge 214.$
Note that
\[2 \cdot 5 \cdot 7 + 1 \cdot 8 \cdot 9 + 3 \cdot 4 \cdot 6 = 214,\]so the smallest possible value of $S$ is $\boxed{214}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the maximum value of
\[f(x) = 3x - x^3\]for $0 \le x \le \sqrt{3}.$ | Level 3 | Graphing the function, or trying different values of $x,$ we may think that the function is maximized at $x = 1,$ which would make the maximum value 2.
To confirm this, we can consider the expression
\[2 - f(x) = x^3 - 3x + 2.\]We know that this is zero at $x = 1,$ so $x - 1$ is a factor:
\[2 - f(x) = (x - 1)(x^2 + x - 2) = (x - 1)^2 (x + 2).\]Since $0 \le x \le \sqrt{3},$ $x + 2$ is always positive. Hence, $f(x) \le 2$ for all $x,$ which confirms that the maximum value is $\boxed{2}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the equation of the directrix of the parabola $x = -\frac{1}{6} y^2.$ | Level 3 | Recall that a parabola is defined as the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus $F$ and the directrix.
Since the parabola $x = -\frac{1}{6} y^2$ is symmetric about the $x$-axis, the focus is at a point of the form $(f,0).$ Let $x = d$ be the equation of the directrix.
[asy]
unitsize(1.5 cm);
pair F, P, Q;
F = (-1/4,0);
P = (-1,1);
Q = (-1/4,1);
real parab (real x) {
return(-x^2);
}
draw(reflect((0,0),(1,1))*graph(parab,-1.5,1.5),red);
draw((1/4,-1.5)--(1/4,1.5),dashed);
draw(P--F);
draw(P--Q);
dot("$F$", F, SW);
dot("$P$", P, N);
dot("$Q$", Q, E);
[/asy]
Let $\left( -\frac{1}{6} y^2, y \right)$ be a point on the parabola $x = -\frac{1}{6} y^2.$ Then
\[PF^2 = \left( -\frac{1}{6} y^2 - f \right)^2 + y^2\]and $PQ^2 = \left( -\frac{1}{6} y^2 - d \right)^2.$ Thus,
\[\left( -\frac{1}{6} y^2 - f \right)^2 + y^2 = \left( -\frac{1}{6} y^2 - d \right)^2.\]Expanding, we get
\[\frac{1}{36} y^4 + \frac{f}{3} y^2 + f^2 + y^2 = \frac{1}{36} y^4 + \frac{d}{3} y^2 + d^2.\]Matching coefficients, we get
\begin{align*}
\frac{f}{3} + 1 &= \frac{d}{3}, \\
f^2 &= d^2.
\end{align*}From the first equation, $d - f = 3.$ Since $f^2 = d^2,$ $f = d$ or $f = -d.$ We cannot have $f = d,$ so $f = -d.$ Then $2d = 3,$ so $d = \frac{3}{2}.$
Thus, the equation of the directrix is $\boxed{x = \frac{3}{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
An ellipse has its foci at $(-1, -1)$ and $(-1, -3).$ Given that it passes through the point $(4, -2),$ its equation can be written in the form \[\frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} + \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1\]where $a, b, h, k$ are constants, and $a$ and $b$ are positive. Find $a+k.$ | Level 3 | The sum of the distances from $(4, -2)$ to the foci of the ellipse is \[\sqrt{(4+1)^2 + (-1+2)^2} + \sqrt{(4+1)^2 + (-3+2)^2} = 2\sqrt{26}.\]This is also equal to the length of the major axis of the ellipse. Since the distance between the foci is $2,$ it follows that the length of the minor axis of the ellipse is $\sqrt{(2\sqrt{26})^2 - 2^2} = 10.$
The center of the ellipse is the midpoint of the segment containing points $(-1, -1)$ and $(-1, -3),$ which is $(-1, -2).$ Since the two foci have the same $x$-coordinate, the vertical axis is the major axis. Putting all this together, we get that the equation of the ellipse is \[\frac{(x+1)^2}{5^2} + \frac{(y+2)^2}{(\sqrt{26})^2} = 1.\]Thus, $a+k = 5 + (-2) = \boxed{3}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the quadratic function $f(x) = x^2 + ax + b$ such that
\[\frac{f(f(x) + x)}{f(x)} = x^2 + 1776x + 2010.\] | Level 5 | We have that
\begin{align*}
f(f(x) + x) &= f(x^2 + (a + 1) x + b) \\
&= (x^2 + (a + 1)x + b)^2 + a(x^2 + (a + 1) x + b) + b \\
&= x^4 + (2a + 2) x^3 + (a^2 + 3a + 2b + 1) x^2 + (a^2 + 2ab + a + 2b) x + (ab + b^2 + b).
\end{align*}We can write this as
\begin{align*}
&x^4 + (2a + 2) x^3 + (a^2 + 3a + 2b + 1) x^2 + (a^2 + 2ab + a + 2b) x + (ab + b^2 + b) \\
&= x^2 (x^2 + ax + b) + (a + 2) x^3 + (a^2 + 3a + b + 1) x^2 + (a^2 + 2ab + a + 2b) x + (ab + b^2 + b) \\
&= x^2 (x^2 + ax + b) + (a + 2)x \cdot (x^2 + ax + b) + (a + b + 1) x^2 + (a^2 + ab + a) x + (ab + b^2 + b) \\
&= x^2 (x^2 + ax + b) + (a + 2)x \cdot (x^2 + ax + b) + (a + b + 1)(x^2 + ax + b) \\
&= (x^2 + ax + b)(x^2 + (a + 2) x + (a + b + 1)).
\end{align*}(The factor of $f(x) = x^2 + ax + b$ should not be surprising. Why?)
Thus, we want $a$ and $b$ to satisfy $a + 2 = 1776$ and $a + b + 1 = 2010.$ Solving, we find $a = 1774$ and $b = 235,$ so $f(x) = \boxed{x^2 + 1774x + 235}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
What is the value of the sum
\[
\sum_z \frac{1}{{\left|1 - z\right|}^2} \, ,
\]where $z$ ranges over all 7 solutions (real and nonreal) of the equation $z^7 = -1$? | Level 5 | Since $z^7 = -1,$ $|z^7| = 1.$ Then $|z|^7 = 1,$ so $|z| = 1.$ Then $z \overline{z} = |z|^2 = 1,$ so $\overline{z} = \frac{1}{z}.$ Hence,
\begin{align*}
\frac{1}{|1 - z|^2} &= \frac{1}{(1 - z)(\overline{1 - z})} \\
&= \frac{1}{(1 - z)(1 - \overline{z})} \\
&= \frac{1}{(1 - z)(1 - \frac{1}{z})} \\
&= \frac{z}{(1 - z)(z - 1)} \\
&= -\frac{z}{(z - 1)^2}.
\end{align*}Let $z = \frac{1}{w} + 1.$ Then
\[-\frac{z}{(z - 1)^2} = -\frac{\frac{1}{w} + 1}{\frac{1}{w^2}} = -w - w^2.\]From $z^7 = -1,$
\[\left( \frac{1}{w} + 1 \right)^7 = -1.\]Then $(1 + w)^7 = -w^7.$ Expanding, we get
\[2w^7 + 7w^6 + 21w^5 + 35w^4 + 35w^3 + 21w^2 + 7w + 1 = 0.\]Let the roots of $z^7 = -1$ be $z_1,$ $z_2,$ $\dots,$ $z_7,$ and let $w_k$ be the corresponding value of $z_k,$ i.e. $z_k = \frac{1}{w_k} + 1.$ Then
\[\sum_{k = 1}^7 \frac{1}{|1 - z_k|^2} = \sum_{k = 1}^7 (-w_k - w_k^2).\]By Vieta's formulas, $w_1 + w_2 + \dots + w_7 = -\frac{7}{2}$ and $w_1 w_2 + w_1 w_3 + \dots + w_6 w_7 = \frac{21}{2}.$ Squaring the equation $w_1 + w_2 + \dots + w_7 = -\frac{7}{2},$ we get
\[w_1^2 + w_2^2 + \dots + w_7^2 + 2(w_1 w_2 + w_1 w_3 + \dots + w_6 w_7) = \frac{49}{4}.\]Then
\[w_1^2 + w_2^2 + \dots + w_7^2 = \frac{49}{4} - 2(w_1 w_2 + w_1 w_3 + \dots + w_6 w_7) = \frac{49}{4} - 2 \cdot \frac{21}{2} = -\frac{35}{4}.\]Therefore,
\[\sum_{k = 1}^7 (-w_k - w_k^2) = \frac{7}{2} + \frac{35}{4} = \boxed{\frac{49}{4}}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Find a quadratic with rational coefficients and quadratic term $x^2$ that has $\sqrt{3}-2$ as a root. | Level 3 | Since the root $\sqrt{3}-2$ is irrational but the coefficients of the quadratic are rational, from the quadratic formula we can see that the other root must be $-\sqrt{3}-2.$
To find the quadratic, we can note that the sum of the roots is $\sqrt{3}-2-\sqrt{3}-2=-4$ and the product is $(\sqrt{3}-2)(-\sqrt{3}-2) =4-3=1.$ Then by Vieta's formulas, we know that the quadratic $\boxed{x^2+4x+1}$ has $\sqrt{3}-2$ as a root. | Intermediate Algebra |
A parabola has vertex $V = (0,0)$ and focus $F = (0,1).$ Let $P$ be a point in the first quadrant, lying on the parabola, so that $PF = 101.$ Find $P.$ | Level 4 | Using the vertex and focus, we can see that the equation of the directrix must be $y = -1.$
[asy]
unitsize(3 cm);
real func (real x) {
return(x^2);
}
pair F, P, Q;
F = (0,1/4);
P = (0.8,func(0.8));
Q = (0.8,-1/4);
draw(graph(func,-1,1));
draw((-1,-1/4)--(1,-1/4),dashed);
draw(F--P--Q);
label("$y = -1$", (1,-1/4), E);
label("$y + 1$", (P + Q)/2, E);
dot("$F = (0,1)$", F, NW);
dot("$P = (x,y)$", P, E);
dot("$(x,-1)$", Q, S);
[/asy]
Let $P = (x,y)$ be a point on the parabola. Then by definition of the parabola, $PF$ is equal to the distance from $P$ to the directrix, which is $y + 1.$ Hence,
\[\sqrt{x^2 + (y - 1)^2} = y + 1.\]Squaring, we get $x^2 + (y - 1)^2 = (y + 1)^2.$ This simplifies to $x^2 = 4y.$
We are given that $PF = 101,$ so $y + 1 = 101,$ and hence $y = 100.$ Then $x^2 = 400.$ Since the point is in the first quadrant, $x = 20.$ Hence, $P = \boxed{(20,100)}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Is
\[f(x) = \log (x + \sqrt{1 + x^2})\]an even function, odd function, or neither?
Enter "odd", "even", or "neither". | Level 3 | Note that
\begin{align*}
-x + \sqrt{1 + (-x)^2} &= -x + \sqrt{1 + x^2} \\
&= \frac{(-x + \sqrt{1 + x^2})(x + \sqrt{1 + x^2})}{x + \sqrt{1 + x^2}} \\
&= \frac{-x^2 + (1 + x^2)}{x + \sqrt{1 + x^2}} \\
&= \frac{1}{x + \sqrt{1 + x^2}},
\end{align*}so
\begin{align*}
f(-x) &= \log (-x + \sqrt{1 + x^2}) \\
&= \log \left( \frac{1}{x + \sqrt{1 + x^2}} \right) \\
&= -\log (x + \sqrt{1 + x^2}) \\
&= -f(x).
\end{align*}Thus, $f(x)$ is an $\boxed{\text{odd}}$ function. | Intermediate Algebra |
A positive real number $x$ is such that \[
\sqrt[3]{1-x^3} + \sqrt[3]{1+x^3} = 1.
\]Find $x^6.$ | Level 5 | Cubing the given equation yields \[
1 = (1-x^3) + 3\sqrt[3]{(1-x^3)(1+x^3)}\left(\sqrt[3]{1-x^3} + \sqrt[3]{1+x^3}\right) + (1+x^3) = 2 + 3\sqrt[3]{1-x^6}.
\]Then $\frac{-1}{3} = \sqrt[3]{1-x^6},$ so $\frac{-1}{27} = 1-x^6$ and $x^6 = \boxed{\frac{28}{27}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Express the following sum as a simple fraction in lowest terms.
$$\frac{1}{1\times2} + \frac{1}{2\times3} + \frac{1}{3\times4} + \frac{1}{4\times5} + \frac{1}{5\times6}$$ | Level 1 | Any unit fraction whose denominator is the product of two consecutive numbers can be expressed as a difference of unit fractions as shown below. The second equation is the general rule.
$$\frac{1}{99\times100} = \frac{1}{99} - \frac{1}{100}$$$$\frac{1}{n(n+1)} = \frac{1}{n} - \frac{1}{n+1}$$Each of the fractions in the given sum can be expressed as the difference of two unit fractions like so:
$$\left(1-\frac{1}{2}\right) + \left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{3}\right) + \left(\frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{4}\right) + \left(\frac{1}{4}-\frac{1}{5}\right) + \left(\frac{1}{5}-\frac{1}{6}\right)$$Observe that when the addition is performed, all terms but the first and last drop out. Therefore the sum is $1-\frac{1}{6}$ or $\boxed{\frac{5}{6}}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
For certain real values of $a, b, c,$ and $d_{},$ the equation $x^4+ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0$ has four non-real roots. The product of two of these roots is $13+i$ and the sum of the other two roots is $3+4i,$ where $i^2 = -1.$ Find $b.$ | Level 4 | Since the coefficients of the polynomial are all real, the four non-real roots must come in two conjugate pairs. Let $z$ and $w$ be the two roots that multiply to $13+i$. Since $13+i$ is not real, $z$ and $w$ cannot be conjugates of each other (since any complex number times its conjugate is a real number). Therefore, the other two roots must be $\overline{z}$ and $\overline{w}$, the conjugates of $z$ and $w$. Therefore, we have \[zw = 13+i \quad \text{and} \quad \overline{z} + \overline{w} = 3+4i.\]To find $b$, we use Vieta's formulas: $b$ equals the second symmetric sum of the roots, which is \[b = zw + z\overline{z} + z\overline{w} + w\overline{z} + w\overline{w} + \overline{z} \cdot \overline{w}.\]To evaluate this expression, we first recognize the terms $zw$ and $\overline{z} \cdot \overline{w}$. We have $zw = 13+i$, so $\overline{z} \cdot \overline{w} = \overline{zw} = 13-i$. Thus, \[b = 26 + (z\overline{z} + z\overline{w} + w\overline{z} + w\overline{w}).\]To finish, we can factor the remaining terms by grouping: \[ b = 26 + (z+w)(\overline{z}+\overline{w}).\]From $\overline{z} + \overline{w} = 3+4i$, we get $z + w = 3-4i$. Thus, \[b = 26 + (3-4i)(3+4i) = \boxed{51}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Given that $x<1$ and \[(\log_{10} x)^2 - \log_{10}(x^2) = 48,\]compute the value of \[(\log_{10}x)^3 - \log_{10}(x^3).\] | Level 5 | Using the identity $\log_{10}(x^2) = 2 \log_{10} x,$ the first equation simplifies to \[(\log_{10}x)^2 - 2\log_{10} x = 48.\]Subtracting $48$ from both sides gives a quadratic equation in $\log_{10} x,$ which factors as \[(\log_{10} x- 8)(\log_{10} x + 6) = 0.\]Since $x < 1,$ we have $\log_{10} x < 0,$ so we must choose the negative root, $\log_{10} x = -6.$ Then using the identity $\log_{10}(x^3) = 3 \log_{10} x$ gives the answer: \[\begin{aligned} (\log_{10}x)^3 - \log_{10}x^3 &= (\log_{10}x)^3 - 3\log_{10} x \\ &= (-6)^3 - 3(-6) \\ &= -216 + 18 \\ &= \boxed{-198}. \end{aligned}\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ be the roots of $x^3 - 7x^2 + 5x + 2 = 0.$ Find
\[\frac{a}{bc + 1} + \frac{b}{ac + 1} + \frac{c}{ab + 1}.\] | Level 5 | By Vieta's formulas, $a + b + c = 7,$ $ab + ac + bc = 5,$ and $abc = -2.$
We can say
\[\frac{a}{bc + 1} + \frac{b}{ac + 1} + \frac{c}{ab + 1} = \frac{a^2}{abc + a} + \frac{b^2}{abc + b} + \frac{c^2}{abc + c}.\]Since $abc = -2,$ this becomes
\[\frac{a^2}{a - 2} + \frac{b^2}{b - 2} + \frac{c^2}{c - 2}.\]By Long Division, $\frac{x^2}{x - 2} = x + 2 + \frac{4}{x - 2},$ so
\begin{align*}
\frac{a^2}{a - 2} + \frac{b^2}{b - 2} + \frac{c^2}{c - 2} &= a + 2 + \frac{4}{a - 2} + b + 2 + \frac{4}{b - 2} + c + 2 + \frac{4}{c - 2} \\
&= a + b + c + 6 + 4 \left( \frac{1}{a - 2} + \frac{1}{b - 2} + \frac{1}{c - 2} \right) \\
&= 7 + 6 + 4 \cdot \frac{(b - 2)(c - 2) + (a - 2)(c - 2) + (a - 2)(b - 2)}{(a - 2)(b - 2)(c - 2)} \\
&= 13 + 4 \cdot \frac{(ab + ac + bc) - 4(a + b + c) + 12}{abc - 2(ab + ac + bc) + 4(a + b + c) - 8} \\
&= 13 + 4 \cdot \frac{5 - 4 \cdot 7 + 12}{-2 - 2 \cdot 5 + 4 \cdot 7 - 8} \\
&= \boxed{\frac{15}{2}}.
\end{align*} | Intermediate Algebra |
Find all real values of $x$ which satisfy
\[\frac{1}{x + 1} + \frac{6}{x + 5} \ge 1.\] | Level 3 | Subtracting 1 from both sides and putting everything over a common denominator, we get
\[\frac{-x^2 + x + 6}{(x + 1)(x + 5)} \ge 0.\]Equivalently,
\[\frac{x^2 - x - 6}{(x + 1)(x + 5)} \le 0.\]We can factor the numerator, to get
\[\frac{(x - 3)(x + 2)}{(x + 1)(x + 5)} \le 0.\]We build a sign chart, accordingly.
\begin{tabular}{c|cccc|c} &$x-3$ &$x+2$ &$x+1$ &$x+5$ &$f(x)$ \\ \hline$x<-5$ &$-$&$-$&$-$&$-$&$+$\\ [.1cm]$-5<x<-2$ &$-$&$-$&$-$&$+$&$-$\\ [.1cm]$-2<x<-1$ &$-$&$+$&$-$&$+$&$+$\\ [.1cm]$-1<x<3$ &$-$&$+$&$+$&$+$&$-$\\ [.1cm]$x>3$ &$+$&$+$&$+$&$+$&$+$\\ [.1cm]\end{tabular}Also, note that $\frac{(x - 3)(x + 2)}{(x + 1)(x + 5)} = 0$ for $x = -2$ and $x = 3.$ Therefore, the solution is
\[x \in \boxed{(-5,-2] \cup (-1,3]}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Given that $a-b=5$ and $a^2+b^2=35$, find $a^3-b^3$. | Level 3 | We know that $(a-b)^2=a^2-2ab+b^2$. Therefore, we plug in the given values to get $5^2=35-2ab$. Solving, we get that $ab=5$. We also have the difference of cubes factorization $a^3-b^3=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)$. Plugging in the values given and solving, we get that $a^3-b^3=(5)(35+5)=(5)(40)=\boxed{200}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
For integers $a$ and $T,$ $T \neq 0,$ a parabola whose general equation is $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ passes through the points $A = (0,0),$ $B = (2T,0),$ and $C = (2T + 1,28).$ Let $N$ be the sum of the coordinates of the vertex point. Determine the largest value of $N.$ | Level 5 | Since the parabola passes through the points $(0,0)$ and $(2T,0),$ the equation is of the form
\[y = ax(x - 2T).\]For the vertex, $x = T,$ and $y = aT(-T) = -aT^2.$ The sum of the coordinates of the vertex is then $N = T - aT^2.$
Setting $x = 2T + 1,$ we get $a(2T + 1) = 28.$ The possible values of $2T + 1$ are 7, $-1,$ and $-7.$ (We do not include 1, because $T \neq 0.$) We compute the corresponding values of $T,$ $a,$ and $T - aT^2.$
\[
\begin{array}{c|c|c|c}
2T + 1 & T & a & T - aT^2 \\ \hline
7 & 3 & 4 & -33 \\
-1 & -1 & -28 & 27 \\
-7 & -4 & -4 & 60
\end{array}
\]Hence, the largest possible value of $N$ is $\boxed{60}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Given that $x$ and $y$ are nonzero real numbers such that $x+\frac{1}{y}=10$ and $y+\frac{1}{x}=\frac{5}{12},$ find all possible values for $x.$
(Enter your answer as a comma-separated list.) | Level 3 | Multiplying the first equation by $y$ and the second equation by $x,$ we get \[\begin{aligned} xy+1 &= 10y, \\ xy + 1 &= \tfrac{5}{12} x. \end{aligned}\]Then $10y = \tfrac{5}{12}x,$ so $y = \tfrac{1}{10} \cdot \tfrac{5}{12} x = \tfrac{1}{24}x.$ Substituting into the first equation, we get \[x + \frac{1}{\frac{1}{24}x} = 10,\]or $x + \frac{24}{x} = 10,$ which rearranges to the quadratic $x^2 - 10x + 24 = 0.$ This quadratic factors as $(x-4)(x-6) = 0,$ so the possible values for $x$ are $\boxed{4, 6}.$ (These give corresponding $y$-values $y = \tfrac16, \tfrac14,$ respectively, which, we can check, are valid solutions to the original system of equations.) | Intermediate Algebra |
Find all roots of the polynomial $x^3+x^2-4x-4$. Enter your answer as a list of numbers separated by commas. | Level 1 | By the Rational Root Theorem, any root of the polynomial must divide $4$. Therefore the roots are among the numbers $\pm 1,2$. Since these are only four values, we can try all of them to find that that the roots are $\boxed{-1,2,-2}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a$ and $b$ be positive real numbers such that $a + 2b = 1.$ Find the minimum value of
\[\frac{1}{a} + \frac{2}{b}.\] | Level 5 | By AM-HM,
\[\frac{a + b + b}{3} \ge \frac{3}{\frac{1}{a} + \frac{1}{b} + \frac{1}{b}},\]so
\[\frac{1}{a} + \frac{2}{b} \ge \frac{9}{a + 2b} = 9.\]Equality occurs when $a = b = \frac{1}{3},$ so the minimum value is $\boxed{9}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Compute
\[\frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{1} \rfloor \cdot \lfloor \sqrt[4]{3} \rfloor \cdot \lfloor \sqrt[4]{5} \rfloor \dotsm \lfloor \sqrt[4]{2015} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{2} \rfloor \cdot \lfloor \sqrt[4]{4} \rfloor \cdot \lfloor \sqrt[4]{6} \rfloor \dotsm \lfloor \sqrt[4]{2016} \rfloor}.\] | Level 5 | We can write the expression as
\[\frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{1} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{2} \rfloor} \cdot \frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{3} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{4} \rfloor} \cdot \frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{5} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{6} \rfloor} \dotsm \frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{2015} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{2016} \rfloor}.\]For each fraction, the numerator and denominator will be equal (in which case they will cancel), except when the denominator involves a perfect fourth power. Hence, the product reduces to
\[\frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{15} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{16} \rfloor} \cdot \frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{255} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{256} \rfloor} \cdot \frac{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{1295} \rfloor}{\lfloor \sqrt[4]{1296} \rfloor} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{5}{6} = \boxed{\frac{5}{16}}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Find all real numbers $p$ so that
\[x^4 + 2px^3 + x^2 + 2px + 1 = 0\]has at least two distinct negative real roots. | Level 5 | We see that $x = 0$ cannot be a root of the polynomial. Dividing both sides by $x^2,$ we get
\[x^2 + 2px + 1 + \frac{2p}{x} + \frac{1}{x^2} = 0.\]Let $y = x + \frac{1}{x}.$ Then
\[y^2 = x^2 + 2 + \frac{1}{x^2},\]so
\[y^2 - 2 + 2py + 1 = 0,\]or $y^2 + 2py - 1 = 0.$ Hence,
\[p = \frac{1 - y^2}{2y}.\]If $x$ is negative, then by AM-GM,
\[y = x + \frac{1}{x} = -\left( -x + \frac{1}{-x} \right) \le -2 \sqrt{(-x) \cdot \frac{1}{-x}} = -2.\]Then
\[\frac{1 - y^2}{2y} - \frac{3}{4} = \frac{-2y^2 - 3y + 2}{4y} = -\frac{(y + 2)(2y - 1)}{4y} \ge 0.\]Therefore,
\[p = \frac{1 - y^2}{2y} \ge \frac{3}{4}.\]If $y = -2,$ then $x + \frac{1}{x} = -2.$ Then $x^2 + 2x + 1 = (x + 1)^2 = 0,$ so the only negative root is $-1,$ and the condition in the problem is not met. Therefore, $y < -2,$ and $p > \frac{3}{4}.$
On the other hand, assume $p > \frac{3}{4}.$ Then by the quadratic formula applied to $y^2 + 2py - 1 = 0,$
\[y = \frac{-2p \pm \sqrt{4p^2 + 4}}{2} = -p \pm \sqrt{p^2 + 1}.\]Since $p > \frac{3}{4},$
\begin{align*}
-p - \sqrt{p^2 + 1} &= -(p + \sqrt{p^2 + 1}) \\
&< -\left( \frac{3}{4} + \sqrt{\left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^2 + 1} \right) \\
&= -2.
\end{align*}In other words, one of the possible values of $y$ is less than $-2.$
Then from $y = x + \frac{1}{x},$
\[x^2 - yx + 1 = 0.\]By the quadratic formula,
\[x = \frac{y \pm \sqrt{y^2 - 4}}{2}.\]For the value of $y$ that is less than $-2,$ both roots are real. Furthermore, their product is 1, so they are both positive or both negative. The sum of the roots is $y,$ which is negative, so both roots are negative, and since $y^2 - 4 \neq 0,$ they are distinct.
Therefore, the value of $p$ that works are
\[p \in \boxed{\left( \frac{3}{4}, \infty \right)}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the minimum of the function
\[\frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2}\]in the domain $\frac{2}{5} \le x \le \frac{1}{2}$ and $\frac{1}{3} \le y \le \frac{3}{8}.$ | Level 5 | We can write
\[\frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} = \frac{1}{\frac{x^2 + y^2}{xy}} = \frac{1}{\frac{x}{y} + \frac{y}{x}}.\]Let $t = \frac{x}{y},$ so $\frac{x}{y} + \frac{y}{x} = t + \frac{1}{t}.$ We want to maximize this denominator.
Let
\[f(t) = t + \frac{1}{t}.\]Suppose $0 < t < u.$ Then
\begin{align*}
f(u) - f(t) &= u + \frac{1}{u} - t - \frac{1}{t} \\
&= u - t + \frac{1}{u} - \frac{1}{t} \\
&= u - t + \frac{t - u}{tu} \\
&= (u - t) \left( 1 - \frac{1}{tu} \right) \\
&= \frac{(u - t)(tu - 1)}{tu}.
\end{align*}This means if $1 \le t < u,$ then
\[f(u) - f(t) = \frac{(u - t)(tu - 1)}{tu} > 0,\]so $f(u) > f(t).$ Hence, $f(t)$ is increasing on the interval $[1,\infty).$
On the other hand, if $0 \le t < u \le 1,$ then
\[f(u) - f(t) = \frac{(u - t)(tu - 1)}{tu} < 0,\]so $f(u) < f(t).$ Hence, $f(t)$ is decreasing on the interval $(0,1].$
So, to maximize $t + \frac{1}{t} = \frac{x}{y} + \frac{y}{x},$ we should look at the extreme values of $\frac{x}{y},$ namely its minimum and maximum.
The minimum occurs at $x = \frac{2}{5}$ and $y = \frac{3}{8}.$ For these values,
\[\frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} = \frac{240}{481}.\]The maximum occurs at $x = \frac{1}{2}$ and $y = \frac{1}{3}.$ For these values,
\[\frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} = \frac{6}{13}.\]Thus, the minimum value is $\boxed{\frac{6}{13}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Three of the four endpoints of the axes of an ellipse are, in some order, \[(-2, 4), \; (3, -2), \; (8, 4).\]Find the distance between the foci of the ellipse. | Level 3 | The two axes of the ellipse are perpendicular bisectors of each other. Therefore, each endpoint of an axis must be equidistant from the two endpoints of the other axis. The only point of the given three which is equidistant from the other two is $(3, -2)$, so the fourth missing point must be the other endpoint of its axis, and the points $(-2, 4)$ and $(8, 4)$ must be endpoints of the same axis.
Then the center of the ellipse is the midpoint of the segment between $(-2,4)$ and $(8,4),$ which is the point $(3,4)$. This means that the semi-horizontal axis has length $8-3 = 5,$ and the semi-vertical axis has length $4-(-2) = 6.$ Thus, the distance between the foci is $2 \sqrt{6^2 - 5^2} =\boxed{2 \sqrt{11}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the remainder when $x^{2015} + 1$ is divided by $x^8 - x^6 + x^4 - x^2 + 1.$ | Level 5 | Note that
\[(x^2 + 1)(x^8 - x^6 + x^4 - x^2 + 1) = x^{10} + 1.\]Also, $x^{10} + 1$ is a factor of $x^{2010} + 1$ via the factorization
\[a^n + b^n = (a + b)(a^{n - 1} - a^{n - 2} b + a^{n - 3} b^2 + \dots + b^{n - 1})\]where $n$ is odd, so $x^{10} + 1$ is a factor of $x^5 (x^{2010} + 1) = x^{2015} + x^5.$
So, when $x^{2015} + 1 = x^{2015} + x^5 + (-x^5 + 1)$ is divided by $x^8 - x^6 + x^4 - x^2 + 1,$ the remainder is $\boxed{-x^5 + 1}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Alpha and Beta both took part in a two-day problem-solving competition. At the end of the second day, each had attempted questions worth a total of 500 points. Alpha scored 160 points out of 300 points attempted on the first day, and scored 140 points out of 200 points attempted on the second day. Beta, who did not attempt 300 points on the first day, had a positive integer score on each of the two days, and Beta's daily success ratio (points scored divided by points attempted) on each day was less than Alpha's on that day. Alpha's two-day success ratio was $300/500 = 3/5$.
Find the largest possible two-day success ratio that Beta could have achieved. | Level 4 | Let Beta's scores be $a$ out of $b$ on day one and $c$ out of $d$ on day two, so that $0 < \frac{a}{b} < \frac{8}{15}$, $0 < \frac{c}{d} < \frac{7}{10}$, and $b+d=500$. Then $\frac{15}{8} a<b$ and $\frac{10}{7} c <d$, so
\[\frac{15}{8} a+ \frac{10}{7} c<b+d=500,\]and $21a+16c<5600$.
Beta's two-day success ratio is greatest when $a+c$ is greatest. Let $M=a+c$ and subtract $16M$ from both sides of the last inequality to obtain $5a<5600-16M$. Because $a>0$, conclude that $5600-16M>0$, and $M<350$. When $M=349$, $5a<16$, so $a\le3$.
If $a=3$, then $b\ge6$, but then $d\le494$ and $c=346$ so $\frac{c}{d} \ge \frac{346}{494} > \frac{7}{10}$. Notice that when $a=2$ and $b=4$, then $\frac{a}{b} < \frac{8}{15}$ and $\frac{c}{d} =\frac{347}{496} < \frac{7}{10}$. Thus Beta's maximum possible two-day success ratio is $\boxed{\frac{349}{500}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $f(x) = ax^6 + bx^4 - cx^2 + 3.$ If $f(91) = 1$, find $f(91) + f(-91)$. | Level 2 | Since only the even exponents have non-zero coefficients, $f$ is an even function, and we know that $f(-x) = f(x)$. Hence $f(-91) = f(91) = 1$ and $f(91) + f(-91) = 1+1 = \boxed{2}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $f(x) = x^2 + 6x + c$ for all real numbers $x$, where $c$ is some real number. For what values of $c$ does $f(f(x))$ have exactly $3$ distinct real roots? | Level 5 | Suppose the function $f(x) = 0$ has only one distinct root. If $x_1$ is a root of $f(f(x)) = 0,$ then we must have $f(x_1) = r_1.$ But the equation $f(x) = r_1$ has at most two roots. Therefore, the equation $f(x) = 0$ must have two distinct roots. Let them be $r_1$ and $r_2.$
Since $f(f(x)) = 0$ has three distinct roots, one of the equations $f(x) = r_1$ or $f(x) = r_2$ has one distinct root. Without loss generality, assume that $f(x) = r_1$ has one distinct root. Then $f(x) = x^2 + 6x + c = r_1$ has one root. This means
\[x^2 + 6x + c - r_1\]must be equal to $(x + 3)^2 = x^2 + 6x + 9 = 0,$ so $c - r_1 = 9.$ Hence, $r_1 = c - 9.$
Since $r_1$ is a root of $f(x) = 0,$
\[(c - 9)^2 + 6(c - 9) + c = 0.\]Expanding, we get $c^2 - 11c + 27 = 0,$ so
\[c = \frac{11 \pm \sqrt{13}}{2}.\]If $c = \frac{11 - \sqrt{13}}{2},$ then $r_1 = c - 9 = -\frac{7 + \sqrt{13}}{2}$ and $r_2 = -6 - r_1 = \frac{-5 + \sqrt{13}}{2},$ so
\[f(x) = x^2 + 6x + \frac{11 - \sqrt{13}}{2} = \left( x + \frac{7 + \sqrt{13}}{2} \right) \left( x + \frac{5 - \sqrt{13}}{2} \right) = (x + 3)^2 - \frac{7 + \sqrt{13}}{2}.\]The equation $f(x) = r_1$ has a double root of $x = -3,$ and the equation $f(x) = r_2$ has two roots, so $f(f(x)) = 0$ has exactly three roots.
If $c = \frac{11 + \sqrt{13}}{2},$ then $r_1 = c - 9 = \frac{-7 + \sqrt{13}}{2}$ and $r_2 = -6 - r_1 = -\frac{5 + \sqrt{13}}{2},$ and
\[f(x) = x^2 + 6x + \frac{11 + \sqrt{13}}{2} = \left( x + \frac{7 - \sqrt{13}}{2} \right) \left( x + \frac{5 + \sqrt{13}}{2} \right) = (x + 3)^2 + \frac{-7 + \sqrt{13}}{2}.\]The equation $f(x) = r_1$ has a double root of $x = -3,$ but the equation $f(x) = r_2$ has no real roots, so $f(f(x)) = 0$ has exactly one root.
Therefore, $c = \boxed{\frac{11 - \sqrt{13}}{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the minimum value of
\[x^2 + 2xy + 3y^2 - 6x - 2y,\]over all real numbers $x$ and $y.$ | Level 5 | Suppose that $y$ is a fixed number, and $x$ can vary. If we try to complete the square in $x,$ we would write
\[x^2 + (2y - 6) x + \dotsb,\]so the square would be of the form $(x + (y - 3))^2.$ Hence, for a fixed value of $y,$ the expression is minimized in $x$ for $x = 3 - y.$
Setting $x = 3 - y,$ we get
\begin{align*}
x^2 + 2xy + 3y^2 - 6x - 2y &= (3 - y)^2 + 2(3 - y)y + 3y^2 - 6(3 - y) - 2y \\
&= 2y^2 + 4y - 9 \\
&= 2(y + 1)^2 - 11.
\end{align*}Hence, the minimum value is $\boxed{-11},$ which occurs when $x = 4$ and $y = -1.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $f(x) = x^2-2x$. How many distinct real numbers $c$ satisfy $f(f(f(f(c)))) = 3$? | Level 5 | We want the size of the set $f^{-1}(f^{-1}(f^{-1}(f^{-1}(3)))).$ Note that $f(x) = (x-1)^2-1 = 3$ has two solutions: $x=3$ and $x=-1$, and that the fixed points $f(x) = x$ are $x = 3$ and $x=0$. Therefore, the number of real solutions is equal to the number of distinct real numbers $c$ such that $c = 3$, $c=-1$, $f(c)=-1$ or $f(f(c))=-1$, or $f(f(f(c)))=-1$.
The equation $f(x) = -1$ has exactly one root $x = 1$. Thus, the last three equations are equivalent to $c = 1, f(c) = 1$, and $f(f(c))=1$. $f(c)
= 1$ has two solutions, $c = 1 \pm \sqrt{2}$, and for each of these two values $c$ there are two preimages. It follows that the answer is $1+1+1+2+4 = \boxed{9}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $ f(x) = x^3 + x + 1$. Suppose $ g$ is a cubic polynomial such that $ g(0) = - 1$, and the roots of $ g$ are the squares of the roots of $ f$. Find $ g(9)$. | Level 4 | Let $r,$ $s,$ and $t$ be the roots of $f(x),$ so that $f(x)=(x-r)(x-s)(x-t)$. Then $r^2,$ $s^2,$ and $t^2$ are the roots of $g,$ so we can write \[g(x) = A(x-r^2)(x-s^2)(x-t^2)\]for some constant $A.$ Taking $x=0,$ we get \[-1 = -Ar^2s^2t^2.\]We know that $rst = -1$ by Vieta, so \[-1 = -A(-1)^2 = -A\]and $A=1.$ Then \[g(x) = (x-r^2)(x-s^2)(x-t^2),\]so \[g(9) = (9-r^2)(9-s^2)(9-t^2).\]To evaluate this product, we write
\begin{align*}
g(9) &= (3-r)(3+r)(3-s)(3+s)(3-t)(3+t) \\
&= (3-r)(3-s)(3-t)(3+r)(3+s)(3+t) \\
&= (3-r)(3-s)(3-t)[-(-3-r)(-3-s)(-3-t)] \\
&= f(3)\cdot -f(-3).
\end{align*}We know that $f(x) = (x-r)(x-s)(x-t),$ so in particular, $31 = f(3) = (3-r)(3-s)(3-t)$ and $-29 = f(-3) = (-3-r)(-3-s)(-3-t).$ Therefore, \[g(9) = f(3) \cdot -f(-3) = 31 \cdot 29 = \boxed{899}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the maximum value of
\[\cos \theta_1 \sin \theta_2 + \cos \theta_2 \sin \theta_3 + \cos \theta_3 \sin \theta_4 + \cos \theta_4 \sin \theta_5 + \cos \theta_5 \sin \theta_1,\]over all real numbers $\theta_1,$ $\theta_2,$ $\theta_3,$ $\theta_4,$ and $\theta_5.$ | Level 5 | By the Trivial Inequality, $(x - y)^2 \ge 0$ for all real numbers $x$ and $y.$ We can re-arrange this as
\[xy \le \frac{x^2 + y^2}{2}.\](This looks like AM-GM, but we need to establish it for all real numbers, not just nonnegative numbers.)
Hence,
\begin{align*}
&\cos \theta_1 \sin \theta_2 + \cos \theta_2 \sin \theta_3 + \cos \theta_3 \sin \theta_4 + \cos \theta_4 \sin \theta_5 + \cos \theta_5 \sin \theta_1 \\
&\le \frac{\cos^2 \theta_1 + \sin^2 \theta_2}{2} + \frac{\cos^2 \theta_2 + \sin^2 \theta_3}{2} \\
&\quad+ \frac{\cos^2 \theta_3 + \sin^2 \theta_4}{2} + \frac{\cos^2 \theta_4 + \sin^2 \theta_5}{2} + \frac{\cos^2 \theta_5 + \sin^2 \theta_1}{2} \\
&= \frac{\cos^2 \theta_1 + \sin^2 \theta_1}{2} + \frac{\cos^2 \theta_2 + \sin^2 \theta_2}{2} \\
&\quad+ \frac{\cos^2 \theta_3 + \sin^2 \theta_3}{2} + \frac{\cos^2 \theta_4 + \sin^2 \theta_4}{2} + \frac{\cos^2 \theta_5 + \sin^2 \theta_5}{2} \\
&= \frac{5}{2}.
\end{align*}Equality occurs when all the $\theta_i$ are equal to $45^\circ,$ so the maximum value is $\boxed{\frac{5}{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
If
\begin{align*}
a + b + c &= 1, \\
a^2 + b^2 + c^2 &= 2, \\
a^3 + b^3 + c^3 &= 3,
\end{align*}find $a^4 + b^4 + c^4.$ | Level 5 | Squaring the equation $a + b + c = 1,$ we get
\[a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + 2ab + 2ac + 2bc = 1.\]Since $a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 2,$ $2ab + 2ac + 2bc = -1,$ so
\[ab + ac + bc = -\frac{1}{2}.\]Cubing the equation $a + b + c = 1,$ we get
\[(a^3 + b^3 + c^3) + 3(a^2 b + ab^2 + a^2 c + ac^2 + b^2 c + bc^2) + 6abc = 1.\]Since $a^3 + b^3 + c^3 = 3,$
\[3(a^2 b + ab^2 + a^2 c + ac^2 + b^2 c + bc^2) + 6abc = -2. \quad (*)\]If we multiply the equations $a + b + c = 1$ and $a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 2,$ we get
\[(a^3 + b^3 + c^3) + (a^2 b + ab^2 + a^2 c + ac^2 + b^2 c + bc^2) = 2.\]Then
\[a^2 b + ab^2 + a^2 c + ac^2 + b^2 c + bc^2 = -1.\]Then from equation $(*),$
\[-3 + 6abc = -2,\]so $abc = \frac{1}{6}.$
By Vieta's formulas, $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ are the roots of the equation $x^3 - x^2 - \frac{1}{2} x - \frac{1}{6} = 0.$ Hence,
\begin{align*}
a^3 - a^2 - \frac{1}{2} a - \frac{1}{6} &= 0, \\
b^3 - b^2 - \frac{1}{2} b - \frac{1}{6} &= 0, \\
c^3 - c^2 - \frac{1}{2} c - \frac{1}{6} &= 0.
\end{align*}Multiplying these equations by $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ respectively, we get
\begin{align*}
a^4 - a^3 - \frac{1}{2} a^2 - \frac{1}{6} a &= 0, \\
b^4 - b^3 - \frac{1}{2} b^2 - \frac{1}{6} b &= 0, \\
c^4 - c^3 - \frac{1}{2} c^2 - \frac{1}{6} c &= 0.
\end{align*}Adding these equations, we get
\[(a^4 + b^4 + c^4) - (a^3 + b^3 + c^3) - \frac{1}{2} (a^2 + b^2 + c^2) - \frac{1}{6} (a + b + c) = 0,\]so
\[a^4 + b^4 + c^4 = (a^3 + b^3 + c^3) + \frac{1}{2} (a^2 + b^2 + c^2) + \frac{1}{6} (a + b + c) = 3 + \frac{1}{2} \cdot 2 + \frac{1}{6} \cdot 1 = \boxed{\frac{25}{6}}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
The terms of the sequence $(a_i)$ defined by $a_{n + 2} = \frac {a_n + 2009} {1 + a_{n + 1}}$ for $n \ge 1$ are positive integers. Find the minimum possible value of $a_1 + a_2$. | Level 5 | The definition gives $$a_3(a_2+1) = a_1+2009, \;\; a_4(a_3+1) = a_2+2009, \;\; a_5(a_4+1) = a_3 + 2009.$$Subtracting consecutive equations yields $a_3-a_1 = (a_3+1)(a_4-a_2)$ and $a_4-a_2=(a_4+1)(a_5-a_3)$.
Suppose that $a_3-a_1\neq 0$. Then $a_4-a_2\neq 0$, $a_5-a_3\neq 0$, and so on. Because $|a_{n+2}+1| \ge 2$, it follows that
\[0<|a_{n+3} - a_{n+1}| = \frac{|a_{n+2}-a_n|}{|a_{n+2}+1|} < |a_{n+2}-a_n|,\]Then
\[|a_3-a_1|>|a_4-a_2|>|a_5-a_3| > \dotsb,\]which is a contradiction.
Therefore, $a_{n+2}-a_n=0$ for all $n\ge 1$, which implies that all terms with an odd index are equal, and all terms with an even index are equal. Thus as long as $a_1$ and $a_2$ are integers, all the terms are integers. The definition of the sequence then implies that $a_1 = a_3 = \frac{a_1+2009}{a_2+1}$, giving $a_1a_2=2009=7^2\cdot 41$. The minimum value of $a_1+a_2$ occurs when $\{a_1,a_2\}=\{41,49\}$, which has a sum of $\boxed{90}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $z$ be a complex number with $|z| = \sqrt{2}.$ Find the maximum value of
\[|(z - 1)^2 (z + 1)|.\] | Level 5 | Let $z = x + yi,$ where $x$ and $y$ are real numbers. Since $|z| = \sqrt{2},$ $x^2 + y^2 = 2.$ Then
\begin{align*}
|z - 1| &= |x + yi - 1| \\
&= \sqrt{(x - 1)^2 + y^2} \\
&= \sqrt{x^2 - 2x + 1 + 2 - x^2} \\
&= \sqrt{3 - 2x},
\end{align*}and
\begin{align*}
|z + 1| &= |x + yi + 1| \\
&= \sqrt{(x + 1)^2 + y^2} \\
&= \sqrt{x^2 + 2x + 1 + 2 - x^2} \\
&= \sqrt{2x + 3},
\end{align*}so
\[|(z - 1)^2 (z + 1)| = \sqrt{(3 - 2x)^2 (2x + 3)}.\]Thus, we want to maximize $(3 - 2x)^2 (2x + 3),$ subject to $-\sqrt{2} \le x \le \sqrt{2}.$
We claim the maximum occurs at $x = -\frac{1}{2}.$ At $x = -\frac{1}{2},$ $(3 - 2x)^2 (2x + 3) = 32.$ Note that
\[32 - (3 - 2x)^2 (2x + 3) = -8x^3 + 12x^2 + 18x + 5 = (2x + 1)^2 (5 - 2x) \ge 0,\]so $(3 - 2x)^2 (2x + 3) \le 32$ for $-\sqrt{2} \le x \le \sqrt{2},$ with equality if and only if $x = -\frac{1}{2}.$
Therefore, the maximum value of $|(z - 1)^2 (z + 1)| = \sqrt{(3 - 2x)^2 (2x + 3)}$ is $\sqrt{32} = \boxed{4 \sqrt{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
For $-25 \le x \le 25,$ find the maximum value of $\sqrt{25 + x} + \sqrt{25 - x}.$ | Level 2 | By QM-AM,
\[\frac{\sqrt{25 + x} + \sqrt{25 - x}}{2} \le \sqrt{\frac{25 + x + 25 - x}{2}} = 5,\]so $\sqrt{25 + x} + \sqrt{25 - x} \le 10.$
Equality occurs at $x = 0,$ so the maximum value is $\boxed{10}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $f$ be a function satisfying $f(xy) = f(x)/y$ for all positive real numbers $x$ and $y$. If $f(500) = 3$, what is the value of $f(600)$? | Level 2 | Note that $$f(600) = f \left( 500 \cdot \frac{6}{5} \right) = \frac{f(500)}{6/5} = \frac{3}{6/5} = \boxed{\frac{5}{2}}.$$$$\textbf{OR}$$For all positive $x$, $$f(x) = f(1\cdot x) = \frac{f(1)}{x},$$so $xf(x)$ is the constant $f(1)$. Therefore, $$600f(600) = 500f(500) = 500(3) = 1500,$$so $f(600) = \frac{1500}{600} = \boxed{\frac{5}{2}}$.
Note: $f(x) = \frac{1500}{x}$ is the unique function satisfying the given conditions. | Intermediate Algebra |
Compute $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{3n-1}{2^n}.$$ | Level 3 | Let
$$S = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{3n-1}{2^n} = \frac{2}{2} + \frac{5}{4} + \frac{8}{8} + \frac{11}{16} + \dotsb.$$Then
$$2S = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{3n-1}{2^{n+1}} = 2 + \frac{5}{2} + \frac{8}{4} + \frac{11}{8} + \dotsb.$$Subtracting the first equation from the second gives us
$$S = 2 + \frac{3}{2} + \frac{3}{4} + \frac{3}{8} + \dots = 2 + \frac{\frac{3}{2}}{1-\frac{1}{2}} = 2 + 3 = \boxed{5} .$$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ be nonnegative numbers such that $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1.$ Find the maximum value of
\[2xy \sqrt{6} + 8yz.\] | Level 5 | Our strategy is to take $x^2 + y^2 + z^2$ and divide into several expression, apply AM-GM to each expression, and come up with a multiple of $2xy \sqrt{6} + 8yz.$
Since we want terms of $xy$ and $yz$ after applying AM-GM, we divide $x^2 + y^2 + z^2$ into
\[(x^2 + ky^2) + [(1 - k)y^2 + z^2].\]By AM-GM,
\begin{align*}
x^2 + ky^2 &\ge 2 \sqrt{(x^2)(ky^2)} = 2xy \sqrt{k}, \\
(1 - k)y^2 + z^2 &\ge 2 \sqrt{((1 - k)y^2)(z^2)} = 2yz \sqrt{1 - k}.
\end{align*}To get a multiple of $2xy \sqrt{6} + 8yz,$ we want $k$ so that
\[\frac{2 \sqrt{k}}{2 \sqrt{6}} = \frac{2 \sqrt{1 - k}}{8}.\]Then
\[\frac{\sqrt{k}}{\sqrt{6}} = \frac{\sqrt{1 - k}}{4}.\]Squaring both sides, we get
\[\frac{k}{6} = \frac{1 - k}{16}.\]Solving for $k,$ we find $k = \frac{3}{11}.$
Thus,
\begin{align*}
x^2 + \frac{3}{11} y^2 &\ge 2xy \sqrt{\frac{3}{11}}, \\
\frac{8}{11} y^2 + z^2 &\ge 2yz \sqrt{\frac{8}{11}} = 4yz \sqrt{\frac{2}{11}},
\end{align*}so
\[1 = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 \ge 2xy \sqrt{\frac{3}{11}} + 4yz \sqrt{\frac{2}{11}}.\]Multiplying by $\sqrt{11},$ we get
\[2xy \sqrt{3} + 4yz \sqrt{2} \le \sqrt{11}.\]Multiplying by $\sqrt{2},$ we get
\[2xy \sqrt{6} + 8yz \le \sqrt{22}.\]Equality occurs when $x = y \sqrt{\frac{3}{11}}$ and $y \sqrt{\frac{8}{11}} = z.$ Using the condition $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1,$ we can solve to get $x = \sqrt{\frac{3}{22}},$ $y = \sqrt{\frac{11}{22}},$ and $z = \sqrt{\frac{8}{22}}.$ Therefore, the maximum value is $\boxed{\sqrt{22}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $Q(x)=a_0+a_1x+\dots+a_nx^n$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients, and $0\le a_i<3$ for all $0\le i\le n$.
Given that $Q(\sqrt{3})=20+17\sqrt{3}$, compute $Q(2)$. | Level 5 | We have that
\[Q(\sqrt{3}) = a_0 + a_1 \sqrt{3} + 3a_2 + 3a_3 \sqrt{3} + \dotsb = 20 + 17 \sqrt{3},\]so
\begin{align*}
a_0 + 3a_2 + 9a_4 + 81a_6 + \dotsb &= 20, \\
a_1 + 3a_3 + 9a_5 + 81a_7 + \dotsb &= 17.
\end{align*}Since $0 \le a_i < 3,$ the problem reduces to expressing 20 and 17 in base 3. Since $20 = 2 \cdot 9 + 0 \cdot 3 + 2$ and $17 = 9 + 2 \cdot 3 + 2,$
\[Q(x) = x^5 + 2x^4 + 2x^3 + 2x + 2.\]In particular, $Q(2) = \boxed{86}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the focus of the parabola $y = -3x^2 - 6x.$ | Level 3 | Recall that a parabola is defined as the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus $F$ and the directrix. Completing the square on $x,$ we get
\[y = -3(x + 1)^2 + 3.\]To make the algebra a bit easier, we can find the focus of the parabola $y = -3x^2,$ shift the parabola left by 1 unit to get $y = -3(x + 1)^2,$ and then shift it upward 3 units to find the focus of the parabola $y = -3(x + 1)^2 + 3.$
Since the parabola $y = -3x^2$ is symmetric about the $y$-axis, the focus is at a point of the form $(0,f).$ Let $y = d$ be the equation of the directrix.
[asy]
unitsize(1.5 cm);
pair F, P, Q;
F = (0,-1/4);
P = (1,-1);
Q = (1,1/4);
real parab (real x) {
return(-x^2);
}
draw(graph(parab,-1.5,1.5),red);
draw((-1.5,1/4)--(1.5,1/4),dashed);
draw(P--F);
draw(P--Q);
dot("$F$", F, SW);
dot("$P$", P, E);
dot("$Q$", Q, N);
[/asy]
Let $(x,-3x^2)$ be a point on the parabola $y = -3x^2.$ Then
\[PF^2 = x^2 + (-3x^2 - f)^2\]and $PQ^2 = (-3x^2 - d)^2.$ Thus,
\[x^2 + (-3x^2 - f)^2 = (-3x^2 - d)^2.\]Expanding, we get
\[x^2 + 9x^4 + 6fx^2 + f^2 = 9x^4 + 6dx^2 + d^2.\]Matching coefficients, we get
\begin{align*}
1 + 6f &= 6d, \\
f^2 &= d^2.
\end{align*}From the first equation, $d - f = \frac{1}{6}.$ Since $f^2 = d^2,$ $f = d$ or $f = -d.$ We cannot have $f = d,$ so $f = -d.$ Then $-2f = \frac{1}{6},$ so $f = -\frac{1}{12}.$
Thus, the focus of $y = -3x^2$ is $\left( 0, -\frac{1}{12} \right),$ and the focus of $y = -3(x + 1)^2$ is $\left( -1, -\frac{1}{12} \right),$ so the focus of $y = -3(x - 1)^2 + 3$ is $\boxed{\left( -1, \frac{35}{12} \right)}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
If $x$ and $y$ are positive real numbers such that $5x^2 + 10xy = x^3 + 2x^2 y,$ what is the value of $x$? | Level 2 | Notice that we can factor out a $5x$ from each term on the left-hand side to give $5x(x+2y)$. Similarly, we can factor out an $x^2$ from each term on the right-hand side to give $x^2(x+2y)$. Thus, we have $5x(x+2y) = x^2(x+2y)$. Since $x$ and $y$ are positive, we can safely divide both sides by $x(x+2y),$ which gives $x = \boxed{5}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
The graph of $y = f(x)$ is shown below.
[asy]
unitsize(0.5 cm);
real func(real x) {
real y;
if (x >= -3 && x <= 0) {y = -2 - x;}
if (x >= 0 && x <= 2) {y = sqrt(4 - (x - 2)^2) - 2;}
if (x >= 2 && x <= 3) {y = 2*(x - 2);}
return(y);
}
int i, n;
for (i = -5; i <= 5; ++i) {
draw((i,-5)--(i,5),gray(0.7));
draw((-5,i)--(5,i),gray(0.7));
}
draw((-5,0)--(5,0),Arrows(6));
draw((0,-5)--(0,5),Arrows(6));
label("$x$", (5,0), E);
label("$y$", (0,5), N);
draw(graph(func,-3,3),red);
label("$y = f(x)$", (3,-2), UnFill);
[/asy]
Which is the graph of $y = f(-x)$?
[asy]
unitsize(0.5 cm);
picture[] graf;
int i, n;
real func(real x) {
real y;
if (x >= -3 && x <= 0) {y = -2 - x;}
if (x >= 0 && x <= 2) {y = sqrt(4 - (x - 2)^2) - 2;}
if (x >= 2 && x <= 3) {y = 2*(x - 2);}
return(y);
}
real funcb(real x) {
return(-func(x));
}
real funcd(real x) {
return(-func(-x));
}
real funce(real x) {
return(func(-x));
}
for (n = 1; n <= 5; ++n) {
graf[n] = new picture;
for (i = -5; i <= 5; ++i) {
draw(graf[n],(i,-5)--(i,5),gray(0.7));
draw(graf[n],(-5,i)--(5,i),gray(0.7));
}
draw(graf[n],(-5,0)--(5,0),Arrows(6));
draw(graf[n],(0,-5)--(0,5),Arrows(6));
label(graf[n],"$x$", (5,0), E);
label(graf[n],"$y$", (0,5), N);
}
draw(graf[1],(-5,3)--(-2,0),red);
draw(graf[1],arc((-2,2),2,270,360),red);
draw(graf[1],(0,2)--(2,4),red);
draw(graf[2],graph(funcb,-3,3),red);
draw(graf[3],(-3,2)--(-2,0),red);
draw(graf[3],arc((-2,-2),2,0,90),red);
draw(graf[3],(0,-2)--(3,-5),red);
draw(graf[4],graph(funcd,-3,3),red);
draw(graf[5],graph(funce,-3,3),red);
label(graf[1], "A", (0,-6));
label(graf[2], "B", (0,-6));
label(graf[3], "C", (0,-6));
label(graf[4], "D", (0,-6));
label(graf[5], "E", (0,-6));
add(graf[1]);
add(shift((12,0))*(graf[2]));
add(shift((24,0))*(graf[3]));
add(shift((6,-12))*(graf[4]));
add(shift((18,-12))*(graf[5]));
[/asy]
Enter the letter of the graph of $y = f(-x).$ | Level 1 | The graph of $y = f(-x)$ is the reflection of the graph of $y = f(x)$ in the $y$-axis. The correct graph is $\boxed{\text{E}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Compute $\sqrt{(31)(30)(29)(28)+1}.$ | Level 1 | Let $x = 29.$ Then we can write \[\begin{aligned} (31)(30)(29)(28) + 1 &= (x+2)(x+1)(x)(x-1) + 1 \\ &= [(x+2)(x-1)][(x+1)x] - 1 \\& = (x^2+x-2)(x^2+x) + 1 \\&= (x^2+x)^2 - 2(x^2+x) + 1 \\&= (x^2+x-1)^2. \end{aligned} \]Therefore, the answer is \[ \begin{aligned} x^2+x-1&= 29^2 + 29 - 1\\& = \boxed{869}. \end{aligned}\] | Intermediate Algebra |
The polynomial
$$g(x) = x^3 - x^2 - (m^2 + m) x + 2m^2 + 4m + 2$$is divisible by $x-4$ and all of its zeroes are integers. Find all possible values of $m$. | Level 4 | Since $g(x)$ is divisible by $x-4$, we have $g(4)=0$. We also have
\begin{align*}
g(4) &= 4^3 - 4^2 - (m^2+m)(4) + 2m^2+4m+2 \\
&= 50 - 2m^2,
\end{align*}so $0=50-2m^2$. Thus $m$ can only be $5$ or $-5$. We check both possibilities.
If $m=5$, then $g(x)=x^3-x^2-30x+72=(x-4)(x^2+3x-18)=(x-4)(x+6)(x-3)$, so all zeroes are integers.
If $m=-5$, then $g(x)=x^3-x^2-20x+32=(x-4)(x^2+3x-8)$, but $x^2+3x-8$ does not have integer zeroes.
Therefore, the only solution is $m=\boxed{5}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
The function $f$ takes nonnegative integers to real numbers, such that $f(1) = 1,$ and
\[f(m + n) + f(m - n) = \frac{f(2m) + f(2n)}{2}\]for all nonnnegative integers $m \ge n.$ Find the sum of all possible values of $f(10).$ | Level 5 | Setting $m = n = 0,$ we get
\[2f(0) = f(0),\]so $f(0) = 0.$
Setting $n = 0,$ we get
\[2f(m) = \frac{f(2m)}{2}.\]Thus, we can write the given functional equation as
\[f(m + n) + f(m - n) = 2f(m) + 2f(n).\]In particular, setting $n = 1,$ we get
\[f(m + 1) + f(m - 1) = 2 + 2f(m),\]so
\[f(m + 1) = 2f(m) - f(m - 1) + 2\]for all $m \ge 1.$
Then
\begin{align*}
f(2) &= 2f(1) - f(0) + 2 = 4, \\
f(3) &= 2f(2) - f(1) + 2 = 9, \\
f(4) &= 2f(3) - f(2) + 2 = 16,
\end{align*}and so on.
By a straight-forward induction argument,
\[f(m) = m^2\]for all nonnegative integers $m.$ Note that this function satisfies the given functional equation, so the sum of all possible values of $f(10)$ is $\boxed{100}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Real numbers $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ satisfy the following equality:
\[4(x + y + z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2.\]Let $M$ be the maximum value of $xy + xz + yz,$ and let $m$ be the minimum value of $xy + xz + yz.$ Find $M + 10m.$ | Level 5 | Let $A = x + y + z,$ $B = x^2 + y^2 + z^2,$ and $C = xy + xz + yz.$ We are told that
\[4A = B.\]Then
\[A^2 = (x + y + z)^2 = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + 2(xy + xz + yz) = B + 2C = 4A + 2C.\]Hence,
\[C = \frac{1}{2} (A - 2)^2 - 2.\]Also,
\[B - C = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 - (xy + xz + yz) = \frac{(x - y)^2 + (x - z)^2 + (y - z)^2}{2} \ge 0,\]so $C \le B.$ Then $A^2 = B + 2C \le 3B = 12A.$ Hence, $0 \le A \le 12,$ so $-2 \le C \le 48.$
We see that $C = -2$ when $(x,y,z) = (2,-\sqrt{2},\sqrt{2}),$ and $C = 48$ when $(x,y,z) = (4,4,4),$ so $M = 48$ and $m = -2,$ and $M + 10m = \boxed{28}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the range of the function \[f(x) = \frac{x}{x^2-x+1},\]where $x$ can be any real number. (Give your answer in interval notation.) | Level 4 | Let $y$ be a number in the range of $f.$ This means that there is a real number $x$ such that \[y = \frac{x}{x^2-x+1}.\]Multiplying both sides by $x^2-x+1$ and rearranging, we get the equation \[yx^2-(y+1)x+y=0.\]Since $x^2-x+1 = (x-\tfrac12)^2 + \tfrac34 > 0$ for all $x,$ our steps are reversible, so $y$ is in the range of $f$ if and only if this equation has a real solution for $x.$ In turn, this equation has a real solution for $x$ if and only if the discriminant of this quadratic is nonnegative. Therefore, the range of $f$ consists exactly of the values of $y$ which satisfy \[(y+1)^2 - 4y^2 \ge 0,\]or \[0 \ge 3y^2 - 2y - 1.\]This quadratic factors as \[0 \ge (3y+1)(y-1),\]which means that the solutions to the inequality are given by $-\tfrac13 \le y \le 1.$ Therefore, the range of $g$ is the closed interval $\boxed{[-\tfrac13, 1]}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a$, $b$, $c$, $d$, and $e$ be positive integers with $a+b+c+d+e=2010$ and let $M$ be the largest of the sum $a+b$, $b+c$, $c+d$ and $d+e$. What is the smallest possible value of $M$? | Level 5 | We have that
\[M = \max \{a + b, b + c, c + d, d + e\}.\]In particular, $a + b \le M,$ $b + c \le M,$ and $d + e \le M.$ Since $b$ is a positive integer, $c < M.$ Hence,
\[(a + b) + c + (d + e) < 3M.\]Then $2010 < 3M,$ so $M > 670.$ Since $M$ is an integer, $M \ge 671.$
Equality occurs if $a = 669,$ $b = 1,$ $c = 670,$ $d = 1,$ and $e = 669,$ so the smallest possible value of $M$ is $\boxed{671}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the ordered pair $(a,b)$ of positive integers, with $a < b,$ for which
\[\sqrt{1 + \sqrt{21 + 12 \sqrt{3}}} = \sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}.\] | Level 4 | First, we simplify $\sqrt{21 + 12 \sqrt{3}}.$ Let
\[\sqrt{21 + 12 \sqrt{3}} = x + y.\]Squaring both sides, we get
\[21 + 12 \sqrt{3} = x^2 + 2xy + y^2.\]To make the right-hand side look like the left-hand side, we set $x^2 + y^2 = 21$ and $2xy = 12 \sqrt{3},$ so $xy = 6 \sqrt{3}.$ Then $x^2 y^2 = 108,$ so by Vieta's formulas, $x^2$ and $y^2$ are the roots of the quadratic
\[t^2 - 21t + 108 = 0.\]This factors as $(t - 9)(t - 12) = 0,$ whose solutions are 9 and 12. Therefore,
\[\sqrt{21 + 12 \sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{9} + \sqrt{12} = 3 + 2 \sqrt{3}.\]Now we must simplify
\[\sqrt{1 + 3 + 2 \sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{4 + 2 \sqrt{3}}.\]Performing the same technique gives us
\[\sqrt{4 + 2 \sqrt{3}} = 1 + \sqrt{3},\]so $(a,b) = \boxed{(1,3)}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
If $x$ is real, compute the maximum integer value of
\[\frac{3x^2 + 9x + 17}{3x^2 + 9x + 7}.\] | Level 3 | First, we can write
\[\frac{3x^2 + 9x + 17}{3x^2 + 9x + 7} = \frac{(3x^2 + 9x + 7) + 10}{3x^2 + 9x + 7} = 1 + \frac{10}{3x^2 + 9x + 7}.\]Thus, we want to minimize $3x^2 + 9x + 7.$
Completing the square, we get
\[3x^2 + 9x + 7 = 3 \left( x + \frac{3}{2} \right)^2 + \frac{1}{4},\]so the minimum value of $3x^2 + 9x + 7$ is $\frac{1}{4}.$
Therefore, the maximum integer value of
\[1 + \frac{10}{3x^2 + 9x + 7}\]is $1 + \frac{10}{1/4} = \boxed{41}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
There are two values of $a$ for which the equation $4x^2 + ax + 8x + 9 = 0$ has only one solution for $x$. What is the sum of these values of $a$? | Level 1 | We can write the quadratic as
\[4x^2 + (a + 8)x + 9 = 0.\]If the quadratic has one solution, then its discriminant must be zero:
\[(a + 8)^2 - 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 9 = 0.\]Expanding, we get $a^2 + 16a - 80 = 0.$ By Vieta's formulas, the sum of the roots is $\boxed{-16}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Calculate $\frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{2}{5} \cdot \frac{3}{6} \cdot \frac{4}{7} \cdots \frac{49}{52} \cdot \frac{50}{53}$. Express your answer as a common fraction. | Level 2 | Note that from $\frac{4}{7}$ to $\frac{50}{53},$ the numerator of each fraction cancels with the denominator of the fraction three terms before it. Thus, the product simplifies to \[\frac{1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3}{51\cdot 52\cdot 53 }= \boxed{\frac{1}{23426}}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Determine the largest positive integer $n$ such that there exist positive integers $x, y, z$ so that \[
n^2 = x^2+y^2+z^2+2xy+2yz+2zx+3x+3y+3z-6
\] | Level 5 | The given equation rewrites as $n^2 = (x+y+z+1)^2+(x+y+z+1)-8$. Writing $r = x+y+z+1$, we have $n^2 = r^2+r-8$. Clearly, one possibility is $n=r=\boxed{8}$, which is realized by $x=y=1, z=6$. On the other hand, for $r > 8$, we have $r^2 < r^2+r-8 < (r+1)^2.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The function $f$ satisfies \[
f(x) + f(2x+y) + 5xy = f(3x - y) + 2x^2 + 1
\]for all real numbers $x,y$. Determine the value of $f(10)$. | Level 4 | Setting $x = 10$ and $y=5$ gives $f(10) + f(25) + 250 = f(25) + 200 + 1$, from which we get $f(10) = \boxed{-49}$.
$\text{Remark:}$ By setting $y = \frac x 2$, we see that the function is $f(x) = -\frac 1 2 x^2 + 1$, and it can be checked that this function indeed satisfies the given equation. | Intermediate Algebra |
If $a$, $b$, $c$, $d$, $e$, and $f$ are integers for which $1000x^3+27= (ax^2 + bx +c )(d x^2 +ex + f)$ for all $x$, then what is $a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2+e^2+f^2$? | Level 4 | Apply the sum of cubes factorization to the expression $1000x^3+27 = (10x)^3+3^3$ to obtain \[
1000x^3+27 = (10x+3)(100x^2-30x+9).
\]Thus $a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2+e^2+f^2=0^2+10^2+3^2+100^2+(-30)^2+9^2=\boxed{11,\!090}$. Note that the fundamental theorem of algebra implies that the factorization we have given is unique, since the discriminant $(-30)^2-4(100)(9)$ of the quadratic $100x^2-30x+9$ is negative. | Intermediate Algebra |
For positive integers $n$, define $S_n$ to be the minimum value of the sum
\[\sum_{k=1}^n \sqrt{(2k-1)^2+a_k^2},\]where $a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n$ are positive real numbers whose sum is $17$. Find the unique positive integer $n$ for which $S_n$ is also an integer. | Level 5 | For $k = 0, 1, 2, \ldots, n,$ let $P_k = (k^2,a_1 + a_2 + \dots + a_k).$ Note that $P_0 = (0,0)$ and $P_n = (n^2,a_1 + a_2 + \dots + a_n) = (n^2,17).$
[asy]
unitsize(0.4 cm);
pair[] A, P;
P[0] = (0,0);
A[0] = (5,0);
P[1] = (5,1);
A[1] = (9,1);
P[2] = (9,3);
P[3] = (12,6);
A[3] = (15,6);
P[4] = (15,10);
draw(P[0]--A[0]--P[1]--cycle);
draw(P[1]--A[1]--P[2]--cycle);
draw(P[3]--A[3]--P[4]--cycle);
draw(P[0]--P[4],dashed);
label("$P_0$", P[0], W);
label("$P_1$", P[1], N);
label("$P_2$", P[2], N);
label("$P_{n - 1}$", P[3], W);
label("$P_n$", P[4], NE);
label("$a_1$", (A[0] + P[1])/2, E);
label("$a_2$", (A[1] + P[2])/2, E);
label("$a_n$", (A[3] + P[4])/2, E);
dot((21/2 - 0.5,9/2 - 0.5));
dot((21/2,9/2));
dot((21/2 + 0.5,9/2 + 0.5));
[/asy]
Then for each $k = 1, 2, \ldots, n,$ we have \[\begin{aligned} P_{k-1}P_k &= \sqrt{(k^2-(k-1)^2)+((a_1+a_2+\dots+a_{k-1}+a_{k})-(a_1+a_2+\dots+a_{k-1}))^2} \\ &= \sqrt{(2k-1)^2+a_k^2}, \end{aligned}\]so that $S_n$ is the minimum value of the sum $P_0P_1 + P_1P_2 + \dots + P_{n-1}P_n.$ By the triangle inequality, \[P_0P_1 + P_1P_2 + \dots + P_{n-1}P_n \ge P_0P_n = \sqrt{n^4 + 289}.\]Furthemore, equality occurs when all the $P_i$ are collinear, so $S_n = \sqrt{n^4+289}$ for each $n.$
It remains to find the $n$ for which $S_n$ is an integer, or equivalently, $n^4+289$ is a perfect square. Let $n^4+289=m^2$ for some positive integer $m.$ Then $m^2-n^4=289,$ which factors as \[(m-n^2)(m+n^2) = 289.\]Since $n^2$ is positive and $289 = 17^2,$ the only possibility is $m-n^2=1$ and $m+n^2=289,$ giving $m = 145$ and $n^2 = 144.$ Thus $n = \sqrt{144} = \boxed{12}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $x,$ $y,$ $z$ be real numbers, all greater than 3, so that
\[\frac{(x + 2)^2}{y + z - 2} + \frac{(y + 4)^2}{z + x - 4} + \frac{(z + 6)^2}{x + y - 6} = 36.\]Enter the ordered triple $(x,y,z).$ | Level 5 | By Cauchy-Schwarz,
\[(y + z - 2) + (z + x - 4) + (x + y - 6)] \left[ \frac{(x + 2)^2}{y + z - 2} + \frac{(y + 4)^2}{z + x - 4} + \frac{(z + 6)^2}{x + y - 6} \right] \ge [(x + 2) + (y + 4) + (z + 6)]^2.\]This simplifies to
\[36(2x + 2y + 2z - 12) \ge (x + y + z + 12)^2.\]Let $s = x + y + z.$ Then $36(2s - 12) \ge (s + 12)^2.$ This simplifies to $s^2 - 48s + 576 \le 0,$ which then factors as $(s - 24)^2 \le 0.$ Hence, $s = 24.$
Thus, the inequality above turns into an equality, which means
\[\frac{x + 2}{y + z - 2} = \frac{y + 4}{z + x - 4} = \frac{z + 6}{x + y - 6}.\]Since $x + y + z = 24,$
\[\frac{x + 2}{22 - x} = \frac{y + 4}{20 - y} = \frac{z + 6}{18 - z}.\]Each fraction must then be equal to
\[\frac{(x + 2) + (y + 4) + (z + 6)}{(22 - x) + (20 - y) + (18 - z)} = \frac{x + y + z + 12}{60 - (x + y + z)} = 1.\]From here, it is easy to solve for $x,$ $y,$ and $z,$ to find $x = 10,$ $y = 8,$ and $z = 6.$
Hence, $(x,y,z) = \boxed{(10,8,6)}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The set of points $(x,y)$ such that $|x - 3| \le y \le 4 - |x - 1|$ defines a region in the $xy$-plane. Compute the area of this region. | Level 3 | Plotting $y = |x - 3|$ and $y = 4 - |x - 1|,$ we find that the two graphs intersect at $(0,3)$ and $(4,1).$
[asy]
unitsize(1 cm);
real funcone (real x) {
return(abs(x - 3));
}
real functwo (real x) {
return(4 - abs(x - 1));
}
fill((3,0)--(4,1)--(1,4)--(0,3)--cycle,gray(0.7));
draw(graph(funcone,-0.5,4.5));
draw(graph(functwo,-0.5,4.5));
draw((-0.5,0)--(4.5,0));
draw((0,-0.5)--(0,4.5));
label("$y = |x - 3|$", (3.5,3));
label("$y = 4 - |x - 1|$", (0,1), UnFill);
dot("$(0,3)$", (0,3), W);
dot("$(4,1)$", (4,1), E);
dot("$(3,0)$", (3,0), S);
dot("$(1,4)$", (1,4), N);
[/asy]
The region then is a rectangle with side lengths $\sqrt{2}$ and $3 \sqrt{2},$ so its area is $(\sqrt{2})(3 \sqrt{2}) = \boxed{6}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The planet Xavier follows an elliptical orbit with its sun at one focus. At its nearest point (perigee), it is 2 astronomical units (AU) from the sun, while at its furthest point (apogee) it is 12 AU away. When Xavier is midway along its orbit, as shown, how far is it from the sun, in AU?
[asy]
unitsize(1 cm);
path ell = xscale(2)*arc((0,0),1,-85,265);
filldraw(Circle((0,-1),0.1));
filldraw(Circle((-1.4,0),0.2),yellow);
draw(ell,Arrow(6));
[/asy] | Level 3 | Let $A$ be the perigee, let $B$ be the apogee, let $F$ be the focus where the sun is, let $O$ be the center of the ellipse, and let $M$ be the current position of Xavier.
[asy]
unitsize(1 cm);
pair A, B, F, M, O;
path ell = xscale(2)*Circle((0,0),1);
A = (-2,0);
B = (2,0);
F = (-sqrt(3),0);
O = (0,0);
M = (0,-1);
draw(ell);
draw(A--M);
draw(O--M);
draw(F--M);
draw(A--B);
dot("$A$", A, W);
dot("$B$", B, E);
dot("$F$", F, N);
dot("$M$", M, S);
dot("$O$", O, N);
[/asy]
Then $AB$ is a major axis of the ellipse, and $AB = 2 + 12 = 14.$ Since $M$ is the midway point, $MF = AO = \frac{14}{2} = \boxed{7}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
For some integer $m$, the polynomial $x^3 - 2011x + m$ has the three integer roots $a$, $b$, and $c$. Find $|a| + |b| + |c|.$ | Level 4 | By Vieta's formulas, \[\left\{ \begin{aligned} a + b + c &= 0 \\ ab+bc+ac&=-2011. \end{aligned} \right.\]Since $a+b=-c,$ the second equation becomes $ab+(-c)c = -2011$, or \[c^2 - ab= 2011.\]At least two of $a, b, c$ must have the same sign; without loss of generality, let $a$ and $b$ have the same sign. Furthermore, since we can negate all of $a, b, c$ and still satisfy the two above equations, assume that $c \ge 0.$ (Note that we only want the sum $|a| + |b| + |c|$, which does not change if we swap or negate the variables.)
Now, we have $ab \ge 0,$ so $c^2 \ge 2011$, giving $c \ge 44.$ We also have \[\frac{c^2}{4} = \left(\frac{a+b}{2}\right)^2 \ge ab\]by AM-GM, so $2011 = c^2 - ab \ge 3c^2/4,$ giving $c \le 51.$
Finally, we have $(a-b)^2 = (a+b)^2 - 4ab = (-c)^2 - 4(c^2-2011) = 8044 - 3c^2$, which must be a perfect square.
Testing $c = 44, 45, \ldots, 51$, we find that $8044 - 3c^2$ is a perfect square only when $c = 49$. Therefore, $c = 49$, and so \[\left\{ \begin{aligned} a+b&= -c = -49, \\ ab &= c^2 - 2011 = 390. \end{aligned} \right.\]Thus, $a$ and $b$ are the roots of $t^2 + 49t + 390 = 0$, which factors as $(t+10)(t+39) = 0$. Thus, $\{a, b\} = \{-10, -39\}$.
The answer is \[|a| + |b| + |c| = 39 + 10 + 49 = \boxed{98}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $x,$ $y,$ $z$ be real numbers such that
\begin{align*}
x + y + z &= 4, \\
x^2 + y^2 + z^2 &= 6.
\end{align*}Let $m$ and $M$ be the smallest and largest possible values of $x,$ respectively. Find $m + M.$ | Level 5 | From the given equations, $y + z = 4 - x$ and $y^2 + z^2 = 6 - x^2.$ By Cauchy-Schwarz,
\[(1 + 1)(y^2 + z^2) \ge (y + z)^2.\]Hence, $2(6 - x^2) \ge (4 - x)^2.$ This simplifies to $3x^2 - 8x + 4 \le 0,$ which factors as $(x - 2)(3x - 2) \le 0.$ Hence, $\frac{2}{3} \le x \le 2.$
For $x = \frac{3}{2},$ we can take $y = z = \frac{5}{3}.$ For $x = 2,$ we can take $y = z = 1.$ Thus, $m = \frac{2}{3}$ and $M = 2,$ so $m + M = \boxed{\frac{8}{3}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the distance between the foci of the ellipse
\[\frac{x^2}{20} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 7.\] | Level 3 | First, we divide both sides by 7, to get
\[\frac{x^2}{140} + \frac{y^2}{28} = 1.\]Thus, $a^2 = 140$ and $b^2 = 28,$ so $c^2 = a^2 - b^2 = 140 - 28 = 112.$ Thus, $c = \sqrt{112} = 4 \sqrt{7},$ so the distance between the foci is $2c = \boxed{8 \sqrt{7}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
One focus of the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{2} + y^2 = 1$ is at $F = (1,0).$ There exists a point $P = (p,0),$ where $p > 0,$ such that for any chord $\overline{AB}$ that passes through $F,$ angles $\angle APF$ and $\angle BPF$ are equal. Find $p.$
[asy]
unitsize(2 cm);
pair A, B, F, P;
path ell = xscale(sqrt(2))*Circle((0,0),1);
F = (1,0);
A = (sqrt(2)*Cos(80),Sin(80));
B = intersectionpoint(interp(A,F,0.1)--interp(A,F,5),ell);
P = (2,0);
draw(ell);
draw(A--B);
draw(A--P--B);
draw(F--P);
dot("$A$", A, N);
dot("$B$", B, SE);
dot("$F$", F, SW);
dot("$P$", P, E);
[/asy] | Level 4 | First, we consider a particular line, $y = x - 1,$ which passes through $F.$ Substituting, we get
\[\frac{x^2}{2} + (x - 1)^2 = 1.\]This simplifies to $3x^2 - 4x = x(3x - 4) = 0,$ so $x = 0$ or $x = \frac{4}{3}.$ Thus, we can let $A = \left( \frac{4}{3}, \frac{1}{3} \right)$ and $B = (0,-1).$
The slope of line $AP$ is then $\frac{1/3}{4/3 - p} = \frac{1}{4 - 3p},$ and the slope of line $BP$ is $\frac{-1}{-p} = \frac{1}{p}.$ Since $\angle APF = \angle BPF,$ these slopes are negatives of each other, so
\[\frac{1}{3p - 4} = \frac{1}{p}.\]Then $p = 3p - 4,$ so $p = \boxed{2}.$
For a complete solution, we prove that this works for all chords $\overline{AB}$ that pass through $F.$ Let $A = (x_a,y_a)$ and $B = (x_b,y_b).$ Then the condition $\angle APF = \angle BPF$ is equivalent to
\[\frac{y_a}{x_a - 2} + \frac{y_b}{x_b - 2} = 0,\]or $y_a (x_b - 2) + y_b (x_a - 2) = 0.$ Then $y_a x_b - 2y_a + y_b x_a - 2y_b = 0.$
Let $y = m(x - 1)$ be the equation of line $AB.$ Substituting, we get
\[\frac{x^2}{2} + m^2 (x - 1)^2 = 1.\]This simplifies to $(2m^2 + 1) x^2 - 4m^2 x + 2m^2 - 2 = 0.$ By Vieta's formulas,
\[x_a + x_b = \frac{4m^2}{2m^2 + 1} \quad \text{and} \quad x_a x_b = \frac{2m^2 - 2}{2m^2 + 1}.\]Then
\begin{align*}
y_a x_b - 2y_a + y_b x_a - 2y_b &= m(x_a - 1) x_b - 2m(x_a - 1) + m(x_b - 1) x_a - 2m(x_b - 1) \\
&= 2mx_a x_b - 3m (x_a + x_b) + 4m \\
&= 2m \cdot \frac{2m^2 - 2}{2m^2 + 1} - 3m \cdot \frac{4m^2}{2m^2 + 1} + 4m \\
&= 0.
\end{align*}Thus, $\angle APF = \angle BPF$ for all chords $\overline{AB}$ that pass through $F.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The sequence $(a_n)$ is defined recursively by $a_0=1$, $a_1=\sqrt[19]{2}$, and $a_n=a_{n-1}a_{n-2}^2$ for $n\geq 2$. What is the smallest positive integer $k$ such that the product $a_1a_2\cdots a_k$ is an integer? | Level 4 | Let $b_n = 19 \log_2 a_n.$ Then $a_n = 2^{\frac{b_n}{19}},$ so
\[2^{\frac{b_n}{19}} = 2^{\frac{b_{n - 1}}{19}} \cdot 2^{\frac{2b_{n - 2}}{19}} = 2^{\frac{b_{n - 1} + 2b_{n - 2}}{19}},\]which implies
\[b_n = b_{n - 1} + 2b_{n - 2}.\]Also, $b_0 = 0$ and $b_1 = 1.$
We want
\[a_1 a_2 \dotsm a_k = 2^{\frac{b_1 + b_2 + \dots + b_k}{19}}\]to be an integer. In other words, we want $b_1 + b_2 + \dots + b_k$ to be a multiple of 19.
So, let $s_k = b_1 + b_2 + \dots + b_k.$ Using the recurrence $b_n = b_{n - 1} + 2b_{n - 2},$ we can compute the first few terms of $(b_n)$ and $(s_n)$ modulo 19:
\[
\begin{array}{c|c|c}
n & b_n & s_n \\ \hline
1 & 1 & 1 \\
2 & 1 & 2 \\
3 & 3 & 5 \\
4 & 5 & 10 \\
5 & 11 & 2 \\
6 & 2 & 4 \\
7 & 5 & 9 \\
8 & 9 & 18 \\
9 & 0 & 18 \\
10 & 18 & 17 \\
11 & 18 & 16 \\
12 & 16 & 13 \\
13 & 14 & 8 \\
14 & 8 & 16 \\
15 & 17 & 14 \\
16 & 14 & 9 \\
17 & 10 & 0
\end{array}
\]Thus, the smallest such $k$ is $\boxed{17}.$
Alternatively, we can solve the recursion $b_0 = 0,$ $b_1 = 1,$ $b_n = b_{n - 1} + 2b_{n - 2}$ to get
\[b_n = \frac{2^n - (-1)^n}{3}.\] | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $x,$ $y,$ $z$ be real numbers such that $4x^2 + y^2 + 16z^2 = 1.$ Find the maximum value of
\[7x + 2y + 8z.\] | Level 4 | By Cauchy-Schwarz
\[\left( \frac{49}{4} + 4 + 4 \right) (4x^2 + y^2 + 16z^2) \ge (7x + 2y + 8z)^2.\]Since $4x^2 + y^2 + 16z^2 = 1,$
\[(7x + 2y + 8z)^2 \le \frac{81}{4}.\]Hence, $7x + 2y + 8z \le \frac{9}{2}.$
For equality to occur, we must have $\frac{2x}{7/2} = \frac{y}{2} = \frac{4z}{2}$ and $4x^2 + y^2 + 16z^2 = 1.$ We can solve, to find $x = \frac{7}{18},$ $y = \frac{4}{9},$ and $z = \frac{1}{9},$ so the maximum value of $7x + 2y + 8z$ is $\boxed{\frac{9}{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
For what values of $x$ is $\frac{\log{(3-x)}}{\sqrt{x-1}}$ defined? | Level 3 | The expression inside the square root must be greater than 0 because the denominator cannot be equal to 0. Therefore, $x-1>0$, so $x>1$. The expression inside the logarithm must be greater than 0, so $3-x>0$, which gives $x<3$. Therefore, the interval of $x$ for which the expression $\frac{\log{(3-x)}}{\sqrt{x-1}}$ is defined is $1<x<3$, which is $\boxed{(1,3)}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a,$ $b,$ $c$ be positive real numbers. Find the smallest possible value of
\[6a^3 + 9b^3 + 32c^3 + \frac{1}{4abc}.\] | Level 5 | By AM-GM,
\[6a^3 + 9b^3 + 32c^3 \ge 3 \sqrt[3]{6a^3 \cdot 9b^3 \cdot 32c^3} = 36abc.\]Again by AM-GM,
\[36abc + \frac{1}{4abc} \ge 2 \sqrt{36abc \cdot \frac{1}{4abc}} = 6.\]Equality occurs when $6a^3 = 9b^3 = 32c^3$ and $36abc = 3.$ We can solve, to get $a = \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{6}},$ $b = \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{9}},$ and $c = \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{32}}.$ Therefore, the minimum value is $\boxed{6}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a > 0$, and let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients such that
\[P(1) = P(3) = P(5) = P(7) = a\]and
\[P(2) = P(4) = P(6) = P(8) = -a.\]What is the smallest possible value of $a$? | Level 5 | There must be some polynomial $Q(x)$ such that $$P(x)-a=(x-1)(x-3)(x-5)(x-7)Q(x).$$Then, plugging in values of $2,4,6,8,$ we get
$$P(2)-a=(2-1)(2-3)(2-5)(2-7)Q(2) = -15Q(2) = -2a,$$$$P(4)-a=(4-1)(4-3)(4-5)(4-7)Q(4) = 9Q(4) = -2a,$$$$P(6)-a=(6-1)(6-3)(6-5)(6-7)Q(6) = -15Q(6) = -2a,$$$$P(8)-a=(8-1)(8-3)(8-5)(8-7)Q(8) = 105Q(8) = -2a.$$That is,
$$-2a=-15Q(2)=9Q(4)=-15Q(6)=105Q(8).$$Thus, $a$ must be a multiple of $\text{lcm}(15,9,15,105)=315$.
Now we show that there exists $Q(x)$ such that $a=315.$ Inputting this value into the above equation gives us
$$Q(2)=42, \quad Q(4)=-70, \quad Q(6)=42, \quad Q(8)=-6.$$From $Q(2) = Q(6) = 42,$ $Q(x)=R(x)(x-2)(x-6)+42$ for some $R(x).$ We can take $R(x) = -8x + 60,$ so that $Q(x)$ satisfies both $Q(4) = -70$ and $Q(8) = -6.$
Therefore, our answer is $ \boxed{ 315}. $ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a,$ $b,$ $c$ be complex numbers such that
\begin{align*}
ab + 4b &= -16, \\
bc + 4c &= -16, \\
ca + 4a &= -16.
\end{align*}Enter all possible values of $abc,$ separated by commas. | Level 4 | Adding the equations, we get
\[ab + ac + bc + 4(a + b + c) = -48.\]Multiplying the equations by $c,$ $a,$ $b,$ respectively, we get
\begin{align*}
abc + 4bc &= -16c, \\
abc + 4ac &= -16a, \\
abc + 4ab &= -16b.
\end{align*}Adding all these equations, we get
\[3abc + 4(ab + ac + bc) = -16(a + b + c).\]Then
\begin{align*}
3abc &= -4(ab + ac + bc) - 16(a + b +c) \\
&= -4(ab + ac + bc + 4(a + b + c)) \\
&= (-4)(-48) = 192,
\end{align*}so $abc = \boxed{64}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The polynomial equation \[x^3 + bx + c = 0,\]where $b$ and $c$ are rational numbers, has $5-\sqrt{2}$ as a root. It also has an integer root. What is it? | Level 3 | Because the coefficients of the polynomial are rational, the radical conjugate of $5-\sqrt{2},$ which is $5+\sqrt{2},$ must also be a root of the polynomial. By Vieta's formulas, the sum of the roots of this polynomial is $0$; since $(5-\sqrt2) + (5+\sqrt2) = 10,$ the third, integer root must be $0 - 10 = \boxed{-10}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The function $y=\frac{x^3+8x^2+21x+18}{x+2}$ can be simplified into the function $y=Ax^2+Bx+C$, defined everywhere except at $x=D$. What is the sum of the values of $A$, $B$, $C$, and $D$? | Level 3 | The fact that the function can be simplified to a quadratic means we can probably divide $(x+2)$ out of the numerator after factoring the numerator into $(x+2)$ and the quadratic $Ax^2+Bx+C$. Using long division or synthetic division, we find that the numerator breaks down into $(x+2)$ and $(x^2+6x+9)$.
Now, we have
\[y=\frac{(x+2)(x^2+6x+9)}{x+2}.\]After we divide out the $x+2$, we're left with $x^2+6x+9$, so $A=1$, $B=6$, and $C=9$.
The domain of the quadratic function is all real numbers, but our original function was undefined when the denominator $x+2$ equaled 0. After dividing out the $x+2$ we still have to take into account that the function is undefined at $x+2=0$. So, the function is not defined at $x=-2$, giving us our value for $D$.
Therefore, $A+B+C+D=1+6+9+(-2)=\boxed{14}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
The function $f(x)$ satisfies
\[f(x - y) = f(x) f(y)\]for all real numbers $x$ and $y,$ and $f(x) \neq 0$ for all real numbers $x.$ Find $f(3).$ | Level 3 | Setting $x = 3$ and $y = \frac{3}{2},$ we get
\[f \left( \frac{3}{2} \right) = f(3) f \left( \frac{3}{2} \right).\]Since $f \left( \frac{3}{2} \right) \neq 0,$ we can divide both sides by $f \left( \frac{3}{2} \right),$ to get $f(3) = \boxed{1}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find all solutions to the equation\[ \sqrt[4]{x} = \frac{12}{7 - \sqrt[4]{x}}.\] | Level 2 | Let $y = \sqrt[4]{x}.$ Then we have $y = \frac{12}{7-y},$ or $y(7-y) = 12.$ Rearranging and factoring, we get \[(y-3)(y-4) = 0.\]Therefore, $y = 3$ or $y = 4.$ Since $x = y^4,$ we have $x = 3^4 = 81$ or $x = 4^4 = 256,$ so the values for $x$ are $x = \boxed{81, 256}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the number of ordered quadruples $(a,b,c,d)$ of nonnegative real numbers such that
\begin{align*}
a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + d^2 &= 4, \\
(a + b + c + d)(a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + d^3) &= 16.
\end{align*} | Level 5 | Note that
\[(a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + d^2)^2 = 16 = (a + b + c + d)(a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + d^3),\]which gives us the equality case in the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality. Hence,
\[(a + b + c + d)(a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + d^3) - (a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + d^2)^2 = 0.\]This expands as
\begin{align*}
&a^3 b - 2a^2 b^2 + ab^3 + a^3 c - 2a^2 c^2 + ac^3 + a^3 d - 2a^2 d^2 + ad^2 \\
&\quad + b^3 c - 2b^2 c^2 + bc^3 + b^3 d - 2b^2 d^2 + bd^3 + c^3 d - 2c^2 d^2 + cd^3 = 0.
\end{align*}We can write this as
\[ab(a - b)^2 + ac(a - c)^2 + ad(a - d)^2 + bc(b - c)^2 + bd(b - d)^2 + cd(c - d)^2 = 0.\]Since $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ $d$ are all nonnegative, each term must be equal to 0. This means for any two variables among $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ $d,$ either one of them is 0, or they are equal. (For example, either $b = 0,$ $d = 0,$ or $b = d.$) In turn, this means that among $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ $d,$ all the positive values must be equal.
Each variable $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ $d$ can be 0 or positive, leading to $2^4 = 16$ possible combinations. However, since $a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + d^2 = 4,$ not all of them can be equal to 0, leaving $16 - 1 = 15$ possible combinations.
For any of the 15 combinations, the quadruple $(a,b,c,d)$ is uniquely determined. For example, suppose we set $a = 0,$ and $b,$ $c,$ $d$ to be positive. Then $b = c = d,$ and $b^2 + c^2 + d^2 = 4,$ so $b = c = d = \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}.$
Hence, there are $\boxed{15}$ possible quadruples $(a,b,c,d).$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $x,$ $y,$ $z$ be positive real numbers such that $x + y + z = 1.$ Find the minimum value of
\[\frac{1}{x + y} + \frac{1}{x + z} + \frac{1}{y + z}.\] | Level 3 | By Cauchy-Schwarz,
\[[(x + y) + (x + z) + (y + z)] \left( \frac{1}{x + y} + \frac{1}{x + z} + \frac{1}{y + z} \right) \ge (1 + 1 + 1)^2 = 9,\]so
\[\frac{1}{x + y} + \frac{1}{x + z} + \frac{1}{y + z} \ge \frac{9}{2(x + y + z)} = \frac{9}{2}.\]Equality occurs when $x = y = z = \frac{1}{3},$ so the minimum value is $\boxed{\frac{9}{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
An ellipse has foci at $F_1 = (0,2)$ and $F_2 = (3,0).$ The ellipse intersects the $x$-axis at the origin, and one other point. What is the other point of intersection? | Level 5 | The distance between the origin and $F_1$ is 2, and the distance between the origin and $F_2$ is 3, so every point $P$ on the ellipse satisfies
\[PF_1 + PF_2 = 5.\]So, if $(x,0)$ is an intercept of the ellipse, then
\[\sqrt{x^2 + 4} + \sqrt{(x - 3)^2} = 5.\]We can write this as
\[\sqrt{x^2 + 4} + |x - 3| = 5.\]If $x \le 3,$ then
\[\sqrt{x^2 + 4} + (3 - x) = 5,\]so $\sqrt{x^2 + 4} = x + 2.$ Squaring both sides, we get
\[x^2 + 4 = x^2 + 4x + 4,\]which leads to $x = 0.$ This solution corresponds to the origin.
If $x \ge 3,$ then
\[\sqrt{x^2 + 4} + (x - 3) = 5,\]so $\sqrt{x^2 + 4} = 8 - x.$ Squaring both sides, we get
\[x^2 + 4 = 64 - 16x + x^2,\]which leads to $x = \frac{15}{4}.$ Thus, the other $x$-intercept is $\boxed{\left( \frac{15}{4}, 0 \right)}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
If
\[\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} + \frac{z}{c} = 3 \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{a}{x} + \frac{b}{y} + \frac{c}{z} = 0,\]find $\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} + \frac{z^2}{c^2}.$ | Level 4 | Let $p = \frac{x}{a},$ $q = \frac{y}{b},$ $r = \frac{z}{c}.$ Then $p + q + r = 3$ and $\frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q} + \frac{1}{r} = 0,$ so $pq + pr + qr = 0.$
We want $p^2 + q^2 + r^2.$ Squaring the equation $p + q + r = 3,$ we get
\[p^2 + q^2 + r^2 + 2(pq + pr + qr) = 9,\]so $p^2 + q^2 + r^2 = \boxed{9}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
The partial fraction decomposition of
\[\frac{x^2 - 19}{x^3 - 2x^2 - 5x + 6}\]is
\[\frac{A}{x - 1} + \frac{B}{x + 2} + \frac{C}{x - 3}.\]Find the product $ABC.$ | Level 3 | We have that
\[\frac{x^2 - 19}{x^3 - 2x^2 - 5x + 6} = \frac{A}{x - 1} + \frac{B}{x + 2} + \frac{C}{x - 3}.\]Multiplying both sides by $x^3 - 2x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x - 1)(x + 2)(x - 3),$ we get
\[x^2 - 19 = A(x + 2)(x - 3) + B(x - 1)(x - 3) + C(x - 1)(x + 2).\]Setting $x = 1,$ we get $-6A = -18$, so $A = 3.$
Setting $x = -2,$ we get $15B = -15,$ so $B = -1.$
Setting $x = 3,$ we get $10C = -10,$ so $C = -1.$ Hence, $ABC = \boxed{3}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Suppose that all four of the numbers \[2 - \sqrt{5}, \;4+\sqrt{10}, \;14 - 2\sqrt{7}, \;-\sqrt{2}\]are roots of the same nonzero polynomial with rational coefficients. What is the smallest possible degree of the polynomial? | Level 3 | Because the polynomial has rational coefficients, the radical conjugate of each of the four roots must also be roots of the polynomial. Therefore, the polynomial has at least $4 \times 2 = 8$ roots, so its degree is at least 8.
Note that for each of the four numbers, the monic quadratic with that number and its conjugate has rational coefficients. For example, the quadratic with roots $2 - \sqrt{5}$ and $2 + \sqrt{5}$ is
\[(x - 2 + \sqrt{5})(x - 2 - \sqrt{5}) = (x - 2)^2 - 5 = x^2 - 4x - 1.\]Thus, there exists such a polynomial of degree $\boxed{8},$ so this is the minimum. | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $x$ and $y$ be real numbers such that $x + y = 3.$ Find the maximum value of
\[x^4 y + x^3 y + x^2 y + xy + xy^2 + xy^3 + xy^4.\] | Level 5 | First, we can factor out $xy,$ to get
\[xy (x^3 + x^2 + x + 1 + y + y^2 + y^3) = xy(x^3 + y^3 + x^2 + y^2 + x + y + 1).\]We know $x + y = 3.$ Let $p = xy.$ Then
\[9 = (x + y)^2 = x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = x^2 + 2xy + y^2,\]so $x^2 + y^2 = 9 - 2p.$
Also,
\[27 = (x + y)^3 = x^3 + 3x^2 y + 3xy^2 + y^3,\]so $x^3 + y^3 = 27 - 3xy(x + y) = 27 - 9p.$
Thus,
\begin{align*}
xy (x^3 + y^3 + x^2 + y^2 + x + y + 1) &= p (27 - 9p + 9 - 2p + 3 + 1) \\
&= p(40 - 11p) \\
&= -11p^2 + 40p \\
&= -11 \left( p - \frac{20}{11} \right)^2 + \frac{400}{11} \\
&\le \frac{400}{11}.
\end{align*}Equality occurs when $xy = p = \frac{20}{11}.$ By Vieta's formulas, $x$ and $y$ are the roots of
\[t^2 - 3t + \frac{20}{11} = 0.\]The discriminant of this quadratic is positive, so equality is possible. Thus, the maximum value is $\boxed{\frac{400}{11}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Determine the value of the expression
\[\log_2 (27 + \log_2 (27 + \log_2 (27 + \cdots))),\]assuming it is positive. | Level 3 | Let
\[x = \log_2 (27 + \log_2 (27 + \log_2 (27 + \dotsb))).\]Then
\[x = \log_2 (27 + x),\]so $2^x = x + 27.$
To solve this equation, we plot $y = 2^x$ and $y = x + 27.$
[asy]
unitsize(0.15 cm);
real func (real x) {
return(2^x);
}
draw(graph(func,-30,log(40)/log(2)),red);
draw((-30,-3)--(13,40),blue);
draw((-30,0)--(13,0));
draw((0,-5)--(0,40));
dot("$(5,32)$", (5,32), SE);
label("$y = 2^x$", (10,16));
label("$y = x + 27$", (-18,18));
[/asy]
By inspection, the graphs intersect at $(5,32).$ Beyond this point, the graph of $y = 2^x$ increases much faster than the graph of $y = x + 27,$ so the only positive solution is $x = \boxed{5}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the largest positive integer $n$ such that
\[\sin^n x + \cos^n x \ge \frac{1}{n}\]for all real numbers $x.$ | Level 5 | Setting $x = \pi,$ we get
\[(-1)^n \ge \frac{1}{n},\]so $n$ must be even. Let $n = 2m.$
Setting $x = \frac{\pi}{4},$ we get
\[\left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right)^{2m} + \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right)^{2m} \ge \frac{1}{2m}.\]This simplifies to
\[\frac{1}{2^{m - 1}} \ge \frac{1}{2m},\]so $2^{m - 2} \le m.$ We see that $m = 4$ is a solution, and the function $2^{m - 2}$ grows faster than $m,$ so $m = 4$ is the largest possible value of $m.$
We must then prove that
\[\sin^8 x + \cos^8 x \ge \frac{1}{8}\]for all real numbers $x.$
By QM-AM,
\[\sqrt{\frac{\sin^8 x + \cos^8 x}{2}} \ge \frac{\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x}{2},\]so
\[\sin^8 x + \cos^8 x \ge \frac{(\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x)^2}{2}.\]Again by QM-AM,
\[\sqrt{\frac{\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x}{2}} \ge \frac{\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x}{2} = \frac{1}{2},\]so
\[\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x \ge \frac{1}{2}.\]Therefore,
\[\sin^8 x + \cos^8 x \ge \frac{(1/2)^2}{2} = \frac{1}{8}.\]We conclude that the largest such positive integer $n$ is $\boxed{8}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a$ and $b$ be real numbers. Consider the following five statements:
$\frac{1}{a} < \frac{1}{b}$
$a^2 > b^2$
$a < b$
$a < 0$
$b < 0$
What is the maximum number of these statements that can be true for any values of $a$ and $b$? | Level 2 | Suppose $a < 0,$ $b < 0,$ and $a < b.$ Then
\[\frac{1}{a} - \frac{1}{b} = \frac{b - a}{ab} > 0,\]so $\frac{1}{a} > \frac{1}{b}.$ Thus, not all five statements can be true.
If we take $a = -2$ and $b = -1,$ then all the statements are true except the first statement. Hence, the maximum number of statements that can be true is $\boxed{4}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Integers $x$ and $y$ with $x>y>0$ satisfy $x+y+xy=80$. What is $x$? | Level 2 | Applying Simon's Favorite Factoring Trick, we add 1 to both sides to get $xy + x + y + 1 = 81,$ so
\[(x + 1)(y + 1) = 81.\]The only possibility is then $x + 1 = 27$ and $y + 1 = 3,$ so $x = \boxed{26}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find the roots of $z^2 - z = 5 - 5i.$
Enter the roots, separated by commas. | Level 4 | We can write $z^2 - z - (5 - 5i) = 0.$ By the quadratic formula,
\[z = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 4(5 - 5i)}}{2} = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{21 - 20i}}{2}.\]Let $21 - 20i = (a + bi)^2,$ where $a$ and $b$ are real numbers. This expands as
\[a^2 + 2abi - b^2 = 21 - 20i.\]Equating the real and imaginary parts, we get $a^2 - b^2 = 21$ and $ab = -10,$ so $b = -\frac{10}{a}.$ Substituting, we get
\[a^2 - \frac{100}{a^2} = 21.\]Then $a^4 - 21a^2 - 100 = 0,$ which factors as $(a^2 - 25)(a^2 + 4) = 0.$ Since $a$ is real, $a^2 = 25,$ which means $a = 5$ or $a = -5.$
If $a = 5,$ then $b = -2,$ so
\[z = \frac{1 + 5 - 2i}{2} = 3 - i.\]If $a = -5,$ then $b = 2,$ so
\[z = \frac{1 - 5 + 2i}{2} = -2 + i.\]Therefore, the solutions are $\boxed{3 - i, -2 + i}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Suppose $f(x) = 6x - 9$ and $g(x) = \frac{x}{3} + 2$. Find $f(g(x)) - g(f(x))$. | Level 2 | We have that
$$\begin{aligned} f(g(x)) &= f\left(\frac{x}{3} + 2\right) = 6\left(\frac{x}{3} + 2\right) - 9 \\
&= 2x + 12 - 9\\
&= 2x + 3
\end{aligned}$$and
$$\begin{aligned} g(f(x)) &= g(6x-9) = \frac{6x-9}{3} + 2 \\
&= 2x -3 +2\\
&= 2x -1.
\end{aligned}$$So
$$f(g(x)) - g(f(x)) = 2x+3 - (2x-1) = 2x + 3 - 2x +1 = \boxed{4}.$$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Which type of conic section is described by the equation \[\sqrt{x^2 + (y-1)^2} + \sqrt{(x-5)^2 + (y+3)^2} = 10?\]Enter "C" for circle, "P" for parabola, "E" for ellipse, "H" for hyperbola, and "N" for none of the above. | Level 2 | This doesn't look like any of the standard forms of any of the conic sections. Instead, we appeal to the definitions of the conic sections. Note that the two terms on the left-hand side represent the distances in the $xy-$plane from $(x, y)$ to $(0, 1)$ and $(5, -3),$ respectively. So the given equation really says that the sum of the distances from $(x, y)$ to $(0, 1)$ and $(5, -3)$ is a constant (namely, $10$). So the graph of this equation should be an ellipse.
To check that the ellipse is non-degenerate, we compute the distance between $(0,1)$ and $(5,-3)$ to be \[\sqrt{(5-0)^2 + (-3-1)^2} = \sqrt{41},\]which is less than $10.$ Therefore, the given equation satisfies the triangle inequality, so the ellipse is non-degenerate. The answer is $\boxed{\text{(E)}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
Find all $t$ such that $x-t$ is a factor of $6x^2+13x-5.$
Enter your answer as a list separated by commas. | Level 3 | From the Factor theorem, if $x-t$ is a factor of $ 6x^2+13x-5$ we know that
$$6t^2+13t - 5 = 0$$Factoring gives us
$$(2t+5)(3t-1) = 0$$Hence $t = \boxed{\frac{1}{3}}$ or $t = \boxed{-\frac{5}{2}}$. | Intermediate Algebra |
There are integers $b,c$ for which both roots of the polynomial $x^2-x-1$ are also roots of the polynomial $x^5-bx-c$. Determine the product $bc$. | Level 3 | Let $r$ be a root of $x^2-x-1$. Then, rearranging, we have
$$r^2 = r+1.$$Multiplying both sides by $r$ and substituting gives
\begin{align*}
r^3 &= r^2+r \\
&= (r+1)+r \\
&= 2r+1.
\end{align*}Repeating this process twice more, we have
\begin{align*}
r^4 &= r(2r+1) \\
&= 2r^2+r \\
&= 2(r+1)+r \\
&= 3r+2
\end{align*}and
\begin{align*}
r^5 &= r(3r+2) \\
&= 3r^2+2r \\
&= 3(r+1)+2r \\
&= 5r+3.
\end{align*}Thus, each root of $x^2-x-1$ is also a root of $x^5-5x-3$, which gives $bc = 5\cdot 3 = \boxed{15}$.
(It is left to the reader to investigate why this answer is unique.) | Intermediate Algebra |
When the graph of $y = 2x^2 - x + 7$ is shifted four units to the right, we obtain the graph of $y = ax^2 + bx + c$. Find $a + b + c$. | Level 3 | When we shift the graph of $y = 2x^2 - x + 7$ four units to the right, we obtain the graph of $y = 2(x - 4)^2 - (x - 4) + 7$, which simplifies to $y = 2x^2 - 17x + 43$. Therefore, $a + b + c = 2 - 17 + 43 = \boxed{28}$.
Another way to solve the problem is as follows: The graph of $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ always passes through the point $(1, a + b + c)$. In other words, $a + b + c$ is the $y$-coordinate of the point on the parabola whose $x$-coordinate is 1. But this parabola is obtained by shifting the graph of $y = 2x^2 - x + 7$ four units to the right, so $a + b + c$ is also the $y$-coordinate of the point on the original parabola whose $x$-coordinate is $1 - 4 = -3$. This $y$-coordinate is equal to $2 \cdot (-3)^2 - (-3) + 7 = 28$. | Intermediate Algebra |
Let $a$ and $b$ be the roots of $k(x^2 - x) + x + 5 = 0.$ Let $k_1$ and $k_2$ be the values of $k$ for which $a$ and $b$ satisfy
\[\frac{a}{b} + \frac{b}{a} = \frac{4}{5}.\]Find
\[\frac{k_1}{k_2} + \frac{k_2}{k_1}.\] | Level 5 | The quadratic equation in $x$ is $kx^2 - (k - 1) x + 5 = 0,$ so by Vieta's formulas, $a + b = \frac{k - 1}{k}$ and $ab = \frac{5}{k}.$ Then
\begin{align*}
\frac{a}{b} + \frac{b}{a} &= \frac{a^2 + b^2}{ab} \\
&= \frac{(a + b)^2 - 2ab}{ab} \\
&= \frac{(a + b)^2}{ab} - 2 \\
&= \frac{(\frac{k - 1}{k})^2}{\frac{5}{k}} - 2 \\
&= \frac{(k - 1)^2}{5k} - 2.
\end{align*}So
\[\frac{(k - 1)^2}{5k} - 2 = \frac{4}{5}.\]This equation simplifies to $k^2 - 16k + 1 = 0.$ Again by Vieta's formulas, $k_1 + k_2 = 16$ and $k_1 k_2 = 1,$ so
\begin{align*}
\frac{k_1}{k_2} + \frac{k_2}{k_1} &= \frac{k_1^2 + k_2^2}{k_1 k_2} \\
&= \frac{(k_1 + k_2)^2 - 2k_1 k_2}{k_1 k_2} \\
&= \frac{(k_1 + k_2)^2}{k_1 k_2} - 2 \\
&= 16^2 - 2 = \boxed{254}.
\end{align*} | Intermediate Algebra |
The function $f$ is linear and satisfies $f(d+1)-f(d) = 3$ for all real numbers $d$. What is $f(3)-f(5)$? | Level 2 | Taking $d = 3,$ we get
\[f(4) - f(3) = 3.\]Taking $d = 4,$ we get
\[f(5) - f(4) = 3.\]Adding these equations, we get $f(5) - f(3) = 6,$ so $f(3) - f(5) = \boxed{-6}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
A function $f$ is defined by $f(z) = (4 + i) z^2 + \alpha z + \gamma$ for all complex numbers $z$, where $\alpha$ and $\gamma$ are complex numbers and $i^2 = - 1$. Suppose that $f(1)$ and $f(i)$ are both real. What is the smallest possible value of $| \alpha | + |\gamma |$? | Level 4 | Let $\alpha = a + bi$ and $\gamma = c + di,$ where $a,$ $b,$ $c,$ and $d$ are real numbers. Then
\begin{align*}
f(1) &= (4 + i) + \alpha + \gamma = (a + c + 4) + (b + d + 1)i, \\
f(i) &= (4 + i)(-1) + \alpha i + \gamma = (-b + c - 4) + (a + d - 1)i.
\end{align*}Since $f(1)$ and $f(i)$ are both real, $b + d + 1 = 0$ and $a + d - 1 = 0,$ so $a = -d + 1$ and $b = -d - 1.$ Then
\begin{align*}
|\alpha| + |\gamma| &= \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} + \sqrt{c^2 + d^2} \\
&= \sqrt{(-d + 1)^2 + (-d - 1)^2} + \sqrt{c^2 + d^2} \\
&= \sqrt{2d^2 + 2} + \sqrt{c^2 + d^2} \\
&\ge \sqrt{2}.
\end{align*}Equality occurs when $a = 1,$ $b = -1,$ $c = 0,$ and $d = 0.$ Therefore, the minimum value is $\boxed{\sqrt{2}}.$ | Intermediate Algebra |
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