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2020 AIME II Problems/Problem 11

Revision as of 03:05, 8 June 2020 by Mn28407 (talk | contribs) (→‎Problem)

Problem

Let $P(x) = x^2 - 3x - 7$, and let $Q(x)$ and $R(x)$ be two quadratic polynomials also with the coefficient of $x^2$ equal to $1$. David computes each of the three sums $P + Q$, $P + R$, and $Q + R$ and is surprised to find that each pair of these sums has a common root, and these three common roots are distinct. If $Q(0) = 2$, then $R(0) = \frac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m + n$.

Solution 1

Let $Q(x) = x^2 + ax + 2$ and $R(x) = x^2 + bx + c$. We can write the following: \[P + Q = 2x^2 + (a - 3)x - 5\] \[P + R = 2x^2 + (b - 3)x + (c - 7)\] \[Q + R = 2x^2 + (a + b)x + (c + 2)\] Let the common root of $P+Q,P+R$ be $r$; $P+R,Q+R$ be $s$; and $P+Q,Q+R$ be $t$. We then have that the roots of $P+Q$ are $r,t$, the roots of $P + R$ are $r, s$, and the roots of $Q + R$ are $s,t$.

By Vieta's, we have: \[r + t = \dfrac{3 - a}{2}\tag{1}\] \[r + s = \dfrac{3 - b}{2}\tag{2}\] \[s + t = \dfrac{-a - b}{2}\tag{3}\] \[rt = \dfrac{-5}{2}\tag{4}\] \[rs = \dfrac{c - 7}{2}\tag{5}\] \[st = \dfrac{c + 2}{2}\tag{6}\]

Subtracting $(3)$ from $(1)$, we get $r - s = \dfrac{3 + b}{2}$. Adding this to $(2)$, we get $2r = 3 \implies r = \dfrac{3}{2}$. This gives us that $t = \dfrac{-5}{3}$ from $(4)$. Substituting these values into $(5)$ and $(6)$, we get $s = \dfrac{c-7}{3}$ and $s = \dfrac{-3c - 6}{10}$. Equating these values, we get $\dfrac{c-7}{3} = \dfrac{-3c-6}{10} \implies c = \dfrac{52}{19} = R(0)$. Thus, our answer is $52 + 19 = \boxed{071}$. ~ TopNotchMath

Solution 2

Let $P+Q, Q+R$ have shared root $q$, $Q+R, R+P$ have shared root $r$, and the last pair having shared root $p$. We will now set $Q(x) = x^2+ax+2$, and $R(x) = x^2+bx+c$. We wish to find $c$, and now we compute $P+Q,Q+R,R+P$. \[P+Q = 2x^2+(a-3)x-5 = 2(x-p)(x-q)\] \[Q+R = 2x^2+(a+b)x+(2+c) = 2(x-q)(x-r)\] \[R+P = 2x^2+(b-3)x+(c-7) = 2(x-r)(x-p)\] From here, we equate coefficients. This means $p+q = \frac{3-a}{2}, p+r = \frac{3-b}{2}, q+r = \frac{-a-b}{2} \implies p = \frac{3}{2}$. Now, $pq = \frac{-5}{2} \implies q = -\frac{5}{3}$. Finally, we know that $pr = \frac{c-7}{2}, qr = \frac{c+2}{2} \implies c = \frac{52}{19} = R(0) \implies \boxed{071}.$

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/BQlab3vjjxw ~ CNCM

See Also

2020 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 10 		Followed by
Problem 12
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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