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Difference between revisions of "2015 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 25"

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First consider the bound of the variable <math>a</math>. Since <math>\frac{1}{a}<\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2},</math> we have <math>a>2</math>, or <math>a\ge 3</math>.
 
First consider the bound of the variable <math>a</math>. Since <math>\frac{1}{a}<\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2},</math> we have <math>a>2</math>, or <math>a\ge 3</math>.
  
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Also note that <math>c\ge b\ge a>0</math>, we have <math>\frac{1}{a}>\frac{1}{b}>\frac{1}{c}</math>.
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Also note that <math>c\ge b\ge a>0</math>, we have <math>\frac{1}{a}\ge \frac{1}{b}\ge \frac{1}{c}</math>.
 
Thus, <math>\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}\le \frac{3}{a}</math>, so <math>a\le 6</math>.
 
Thus, <math>\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}\le \frac{3}{a}</math>, so <math>a\le 6</math>.
  

Revision as of 18:58, 30 November 2019

Problem

A rectangular box measures $a \times b \times c$, where $a$, $b$, and $c$ are integers and $1\leq a \leq b \leq c$. The volume and the surface area of the box are numerically equal. How many ordered triples $(a,b,c)$ are possible?

$\textbf{(A)}\; 4 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\; 10 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\; 12 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\; 21 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\; 26$

Solution

The surface area is $2(ab+bc+ca)$, the volume is $abc$, so $2(ab+bc+ca)=abc$.

Divide both sides by $2abc$, we have: \[\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2}.\]

First consider the bound of the variable $a$. Since $\frac{1}{a}<\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2},$ we have $a>2$, or $a\ge 3$.

Also note that $c\ge b\ge a>0$, we have $\frac{1}{a}\ge \frac{1}{b}\ge \frac{1}{c}$. Thus, $\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}\le \frac{3}{a}$, so $a\le 6$.

So we have $a=3, 4, 5$ or $6$.

Before the casework, let's consider the possible range for $b$ if $\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=k>0$.

From $\frac{1}{b}<k$, we have $b>\frac{1}{k}$. From $\frac{2}{b}\ge \frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=k$, we have $b\le \frac{2}{k}$. Thus $\frac{1}{k}<b\le \frac{2}{k}$

When $a=3$, $\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{6}$, so $b=7, 8, \cdots, 12$. The solutions we find are $(a, b, c)=(3, 7, 42), (3, 8, 24), (3, 9, 18), (3, 10, 15), (3, 12, 12)$, for a total of $5$ solutions.

When $a=4$, $\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{4}$, so $b=5, 6, 7, 8$. The solutions we find are $(a, b, c)=(4, 5, 20), (4, 6, 12), (4, 8, 8)$, for a total of $3$ solutions.

When $a=5$, $\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{3}{10}$, so $b=5, 6$. The only solution in this case is $(a, b, c)=(5, 5, 10)$.

When $a=6$, $b$ is forced to be $6$, and thus $(a, b, c)=(6, 6, 6)$.

Thus, our answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\;10}$

Simplification of Solution

The surface area is $2(ab+bc+ca)$, the volume is $abc$, so $2(ab+bc+ca)=abc$.

Divide both sides by $2abc$, we have: \[\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2}.\] First consider the bound of the variable $a$. Since $\frac{1}{a}<\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{2},$ we have $a>2$, or $a\ge 3$.

Also note that $c\ge b\ge a>0$, we have $\frac{1}{a}\ge \frac{1}{b}\ge \frac{1}{c}$. Thus, $\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}\le \frac{3}{a}$, so $a\le 6$.

So we have $a=3, 4, 5$ or $6$.


We can say $\frac{1}{b}+\frac{1}{c}=\frac{1}{q}$, where $\frac{1}{q} = \frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{a}$.

Notice $immediately$ that $b, c > q$! This is our key step. Then we can say $b=q+d$, $c=q+e$. If we clear the fraction about b and c (do the math), our immediate result is that $de = q^2$. Realize also that $d<e$.

Now go through cases for $a$ and you end up with the same result. However, now you don't have to guess solutions. For example, when $a=3$, then $de = 36$ and $d=1, 2, 3, 6$.

See Also

2015 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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Problem 24 		Followed by
Last Question
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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