Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "1986 AIME Problems/Problem 2"

(→‎Solution 2 (Algebra: Generalized))
m (Undo a last-resort solution, as that's a bit misleading and vague ...)
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
−
Evaluate the product <cmath>\left(\sqrt 5+\sqrt6+\sqrt7\right)\left(-\sqrt 5+\sqrt6+\sqrt7\right)\left(\sqrt 5-\sqrt6+\sqrt7\right)\left(\sqrt 5+\sqrt6-\sqrt7\right).</cmath>
+
Evaluate the product <cmath>\left(\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{7}\right)\left(\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{7}\right)\left(\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{7}\right)\left(-\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{7}\right).</cmath>
  
−
== Solution 1 (Algebra: Specific) ==
+
== Solution 1 (Algebra: Generalized) ==
−
We repeatedly apply the difference of squares:
+
More generally, let <math>(x,y,z)=\left(\sqrt5,\sqrt6,\sqrt7\right)</math> so that <math>\left(x^2,y^2,z^2\right)=(5,6,7).</math>
−
<cmath>\begin{align*}
 
−
\left(\left(\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{7}\right)^2 - \sqrt{5}^2\right)\left(\sqrt{5}^2 - \left(\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{7}\right)^2\right) &= \left(13 + 2\sqrt{42} - 5\right)\left(5 - (13 - 2\sqrt{42})\right) \\
 
−
&= (2\sqrt{42} + 8)(2\sqrt{42} - 8) \\
 
−
&= (2\sqrt{42})^2 - 8^2 \\
 
−
&= \boxed{104}.
 
−
\end{align*}</cmath>
 
−
 
 
−
== Solution 2 (Algebra: Generalized) ==
 
−
More generally, let <math>(x,y,z)=\left(\sqrt5,\sqrt6,\sqrt7\right)</math> so that <math>\left(x^2,y^2,z^2\right)=(5,6,7).</math> Note that the original expression has cyclic symmetry with respect to <math>x,y,</math> and <math>z.</math>
 
  
 
We rewrite the original expression in terms of <math>x,y,</math> and <math>z,</math> then apply the difference of squares repeatedly:
 
We rewrite the original expression in terms of <math>x,y,</math> and <math>z,</math> then apply the difference of squares repeatedly:
Line 20: Line 11:
 
&= \left[x^2+2xy+y^2-z^2\right]\left[z^2-x^2+2xy-y^2\right] \\
 
&= \left[x^2+2xy+y^2-z^2\right]\left[z^2-x^2+2xy-y^2\right] \\
 
&= \left[2xy + \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)\right]\left[2xy - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)\right] \\
 
&= \left[2xy + \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)\right]\left[2xy - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)\right] \\
−
&= (2xy)^2 - (x^2+y^2-z^2)^2 \\
+
&= \left(2xy\right)^2 - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)^2 \\
 +
&= \left(2\cdot\sqrt5\cdot\sqrt6\right)^2 - \left(5+6-7\right)^2 \\
 +
&= \boxed{104}.
 +
\end{align*}</cmath>
 +
<u><b>Remark</b></u>
 +
 
 +
From this solution, note that the original expression has cyclic symmetry with respect to <math>x,y,</math> and <math>z:</math>
 +
<cmath>\begin{align*}
 +
(x+y+z)(x+y-z)(x-y+z)(-x+y+z) &= \cdots \\
 +
&= \left(2xy\right)^2 - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)^2 \\
 
&= 4x^2y^2 - x^4 - y^4 - z^4 - 2x^2y^2 + 2y^2z^2 + 2z^2x^2 \\
 
&= 4x^2y^2 - x^4 - y^4 - z^4 - 2x^2y^2 + 2y^2z^2 + 2z^2x^2 \\
−
&= 2x^2y^2 + 2y^2z^2 + 2z^2x^2 - x^4 - y^4 - z^4 \\
+
&= 2x^2y^2 + 2y^2z^2 + 2z^2x^2 - x^4 - y^4 - z^4.
−
&= 2(5)(6) + 2(6)(7) + 2(7)(5) - 5^2 - 6^2 - 7^2 \\
+
\end{align*}</cmath>
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM
 +
 
 +
== Solution 2 (Algebra: Specific) ==
 +
We group the first and last factors as well as the two middle factors, then apply the difference of squares repeatedly:
 +
<cmath>\begin{align*}
 +
\left(\left(\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{7}\right)^2 - \sqrt{5}^2\right)\left(\sqrt{5}^2 - \left(\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{7}\right)^2\right) &= \left(13 + 2\sqrt{42} - 5\right)\left(5 - \left(13 - 2\sqrt{42}\right)\right) \\
 +
&= \left(2\sqrt{42} + 8\right)\left(2\sqrt{42} - 8\right) \\
 +
&= \left(2\sqrt{42}\right)^2 - 8^2 \\
 
&= \boxed{104}.
 
&= \boxed{104}.
 
\end{align*}</cmath>
 
\end{align*}</cmath>
−
~MRENTHUSIASM
+
~Azjps (Solution)
 +
 
 +
~MRENTHUSIASM (Revision)
  
 
== Solution 3 (Geometry) ==
 
== Solution 3 (Geometry) ==
−
Notice that in a triangle with side lengths <math>2\sqrt5,2\sqrt6,</math> and <math>2\sqrt7</math>, by Heron's formula, the area is the square root of what we are looking for.  
+
Notice that in a triangle with side-lengths <math>2\sqrt5,2\sqrt6,</math> and <math>2\sqrt7,</math> by Heron's Formula, the area is the square root of the original expression.
−
Let angle <math>\theta</math> be opposite the <math>2\sqrt7</math> side. By the Law of Cosines,
+
 
−
<cmath>\cos\theta=\frac{\left(2\sqrt5\right)^2+\left(2\sqrt{6}\right)^2-\left(2\sqrt7\right)^2}{2\cdot 2\sqrt5\cdot2\sqrt6}=\frac{16}{8\sqrt{30}}=\sqrt{\frac{2}{15}}</cmath>
+
Let <math>\theta</math> be the measure of the angle opposite the <math>2\sqrt7</math> side. By the Law of Cosines,
−
So <math>\sin\theta=\sqrt{1-\cos^2\theta}=\sqrt{\frac{13}{15}}</math>. The area of the triangle is then
+
<cmath>\cos\theta=\frac{\left(2\sqrt5\right)^2+\left(2\sqrt{6}\right)^2-\left(2\sqrt7\right)^2}{2\cdot 2\sqrt5\cdot2\sqrt6}=\frac{16}{8\sqrt{30}}=\sqrt{\frac{2}{15}},</cmath>
−
<cmath>\frac{\sin\theta}{2}\cdot 2\sqrt5\cdot 2\sqrt6=\sqrt{\frac{26}{30}}\cdot 2\sqrt{30}=\sqrt{104}</cmath>
+
so <math>\sin\theta=\sqrt{1-\cos^2\theta}=\sqrt{\frac{13}{15}}.</math>
  
−
So our answer is <math>\left(\sqrt{104}\right)^2=\boxed{104}</math>
+
The area of the triangle is then
 +
<cmath>\frac{\sin\theta}{2}\cdot 2\sqrt5\cdot 2\sqrt6=\sqrt{\frac{26}{30}}\cdot 2\sqrt{30}=\sqrt{104},</cmath>
 +
so our answer is <math>\left(\sqrt{104}\right)^2=\boxed{104}.</math>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 23:44, 4 February 2022

Problem

Evaluate the product \[\left(\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{7}\right)\left(\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{7}\right)\left(\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{7}\right)\left(-\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{7}\right).\]

Solution 1 (Algebra: Generalized)

More generally, let $(x,y,z)=\left(\sqrt5,\sqrt6,\sqrt7\right)$ so that $\left(x^2,y^2,z^2\right)=(5,6,7).$

We rewrite the original expression in terms of $x,y,$ and $z,$ then apply the difference of squares repeatedly: \begin{align*} (x+y+z)(x+y-z)(x-y+z)(-x+y+z) &= \left[((x+y)+z)((x+y)-z)\right]\left[((z+(x-y))(z-(x-y))\right] \\ &= \left[(x+y)^2-z^2\right]\left[z^2 - (x-y)^2\right] \\ &= \left[x^2+2xy+y^2-z^2\right]\left[z^2-x^2+2xy-y^2\right] \\ &= \left[2xy + \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)\right]\left[2xy - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)\right] \\ &= \left(2xy\right)^2 - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)^2 \\ &= \left(2\cdot\sqrt5\cdot\sqrt6\right)^2 - \left(5+6-7\right)^2 \\ &= \boxed{104}. \end{align*} Remark

From this solution, note that the original expression has cyclic symmetry with respect to $x,y,$ and $z:$ \begin{align*} (x+y+z)(x+y-z)(x-y+z)(-x+y+z) &= \cdots \\ &= \left(2xy\right)^2 - \left(x^2+y^2-z^2\right)^2 \\ &= 4x^2y^2 - x^4 - y^4 - z^4 - 2x^2y^2 + 2y^2z^2 + 2z^2x^2 \\ &= 2x^2y^2 + 2y^2z^2 + 2z^2x^2 - x^4 - y^4 - z^4. \end{align*} ~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2 (Algebra: Specific)

We group the first and last factors as well as the two middle factors, then apply the difference of squares repeatedly: \begin{align*} \left(\left(\sqrt{6} + \sqrt{7}\right)^2 - \sqrt{5}^2\right)\left(\sqrt{5}^2 - \left(\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{7}\right)^2\right) &= \left(13 + 2\sqrt{42} - 5\right)\left(5 - \left(13 - 2\sqrt{42}\right)\right) \\ &= \left(2\sqrt{42} + 8\right)\left(2\sqrt{42} - 8\right) \\ &= \left(2\sqrt{42}\right)^2 - 8^2 \\ &= \boxed{104}. \end{align*} ~Azjps (Solution)

~MRENTHUSIASM (Revision)

Solution 3 (Geometry)

Notice that in a triangle with side-lengths $2\sqrt5,2\sqrt6,$ and $2\sqrt7,$ by Heron's Formula, the area is the square root of the original expression.

Let $\theta$ be the measure of the angle opposite the $2\sqrt7$ side. By the Law of Cosines, \[\cos\theta=\frac{\left(2\sqrt5\right)^2+\left(2\sqrt{6}\right)^2-\left(2\sqrt7\right)^2}{2\cdot 2\sqrt5\cdot2\sqrt6}=\frac{16}{8\sqrt{30}}=\sqrt{\frac{2}{15}},\] so $\sin\theta=\sqrt{1-\cos^2\theta}=\sqrt{\frac{13}{15}}.$

The area of the triangle is then \[\frac{\sin\theta}{2}\cdot 2\sqrt5\cdot 2\sqrt6=\sqrt{\frac{26}{30}}\cdot 2\sqrt{30}=\sqrt{104},\] so our answer is $\left(\sqrt{104}\right)^2=\boxed{104}.$

See also

1986 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 1 		Followed by
Problem 3
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=1986_AIME_Problems/Problem_2&oldid=170951"