1981 AHSME Problems/Problem 28

Problem 28

Consider the set of all equations $x^3 + a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0 = 0$ , where $a_2$ , $a_1$ , $a_0$ are real constants and $|a_i| < 2$ for $i = 0,1,2$ . Let $r$ be the largest positive real number which satisfies at least one of these equations. Then

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1 < r < \dfrac{3}{2}\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \dfrac{3}{2} < r < 2\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2 < r < \dfrac{5}{2}\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \dfrac{5}{2} < r < 3\qquad \\ \textbf{(E)}\ 3 < r < \dfrac{7}{2}$

Solution

Since $x^3 = -(a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0)$ and $x$ will be as big as possible, we need $x^3$ to be as big as possible, which means $a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0$ is as small as possible. Since $x$ is positive (according to the options), it makes sense for all of the coefficients to be $-2$ .

Evaluating $f(\frac{5}{2})$ gives a negative number, $f(3)$ 1, and $f(\frac{7}{2})$ a number greater than 1, so the answer is $\boxed{D}$

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1981 AHSME Problems/Problem 28

Problem 28

Solution