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Difference between revisions of "2016 AIME I Problems/Problem 1"

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The sum of an infinite geometric series is <math>\frac{a}{1-r}\rightarrow \frac{12}{1\mp a}</math>. The product <math>S(a)S(-a)=\frac{144}{1-a^2}=2016</math> so dividing by <math>144</math> gives <math>\frac{1}{1-a^2}=14\implies a=\sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}</math>. <math>\frac{12}{1-a}+\frac{12}{1+a}=\frac{24}{1-a^2}</math>, so the answer is <math>14\cdot 24=\boxed{336}</math>.
 
The sum of an infinite geometric series is <math>\frac{a}{1-r}\rightarrow \frac{12}{1\mp a}</math>. The product <math>S(a)S(-a)=\frac{144}{1-a^2}=2016</math> so dividing by <math>144</math> gives <math>\frac{1}{1-a^2}=14\implies a=\sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}</math>. <math>\frac{12}{1-a}+\frac{12}{1+a}=\frac{24}{1-a^2}</math>, so the answer is <math>14\cdot 24=\boxed{336}</math>.
  
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--  <math>a=\sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}</math> is not necessary in this case.
+
Critique:
 +
 
 +
This solution is the same as the one above. Also, <math>a= \pm \sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}</math>, not <math>a=\sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}</math>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2016|n=I|before=First Problem|num-a=2}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2016|n=I|before=First Problem|num-a=2}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 11:47, 12 March 2016

Problem 1

For $-1<r<1$, let $S(r)$ denote the sum of the geometric series \[12+12r+12r^2+12r^3+\cdots .\] Let $a$ between $-1$ and $1$ satisfy $S(a)S(-a)=2016$. Find $S(a)+S(-a)$.

Solution

We know that $S(r)=\frac{12}{1-r}$, and $S(-r)=\frac{12}{1+r}$. Therefore, $S(a)S(-a)=\frac{144}{1-a^2}$, so $2016=\frac{144}{1-a^2}$. We can divide out $144$ to get $\frac{1}{1-a^2}=14$. We see $S(a)+S(-a)=\frac{12}{1-a}+\frac{12}{1+a}=\frac{12(1+a)}{1-a^2}+\frac{12(1-a)}{1-a^2}=\frac{24}{1-a^2}=24*14=\fbox{336}$

Solution 2

The sum of an infinite geometric series is $\frac{a}{1-r}\rightarrow \frac{12}{1\mp a}$. The product $S(a)S(-a)=\frac{144}{1-a^2}=2016$ so dividing by $144$ gives $\frac{1}{1-a^2}=14\implies a=\sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}$. $\frac{12}{1-a}+\frac{12}{1+a}=\frac{24}{1-a^2}$, so the answer is $14\cdot 24=\boxed{336}$.

Critique:

This solution is the same as the one above. Also, $a= \pm \sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}$, not $a=\sqrt{\frac{13}{14}}$

See also

2016 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
First Problem 		Followed by
Problem 2
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All AIME Problems and Solutions

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