This week Level 2 - Number Theory and Algebra 8th problem

Main post link -> https://brilliant.org/assessment/s/algebra-and-number-theory/1180156/

I find this week's 8th problem in Number theory and algebra (LEVEL 2) far more tough than the other problems of the set (mor than usual). What is your thought about this, is the problem too hard for level 2 or is it me that I'm afraid of complex numbers?

Easy Math Editor

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Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

Apply factorization and logic :)

Edward Elric - 8 years, 2 months ago

Josep ,just try to factorise the polynomial .It will give you an expression in x,y,z.The value of the expression can be easily found using the given information.

Please don't post questions when the set is live.

Vinay Shikhar - 8 years, 2 months ago

I didn't want the answer of the problem. I was just expressing my opinion that the problem is too hard for a Level 2 but if you say that it has a trick, then I was wrong ;)

Josep Burgaya Pujols - 8 years, 2 months ago

For future reference, just don't post currently open questions at all, because any time you do, someone will reply with hints or advice, and that goes against the spirit (and challenge) of learning to solve these questions yourself. Even if you don't ask for help, you can't control what other people might say in response.

Besides, you can always post comments after the problem set is closed. There's been a lot of discussion recently about "cheating" lately, and it is such a shame that there are students who seem to have missed the point of doing math problems, which is to learn mathematics and enjoy the beauty of problem solving. The reward is the feeling of solving a problem all by yourself, not some T-shirt or lanyard.

hero p. - 8 years, 2 months ago

@Hero P. – I completely agree with you, we are here to learn math, not for some kind of prize.

Josep Burgaya Pujols - 8 years, 2 months ago

let me give u a bit of a clue,the a part is a square number,and the b part is not a prime number

Beakal Tiliksew - 8 years, 2 months ago

I personally found the problem quite tricky. I suspect it's harder than the normal level 2, but you shouldn't be intimidated by the fact that x, y and z are complex, you (probably) know enough to do the problem, even if you don't have much experience with complex numbers.

Clifford Wilmot - 8 years, 2 months ago

look it deeply, you'll realize something I guess

dullah yagami - 8 years, 2 months ago

Thanks for the response everyone, I'll have a look on te problem again in a few hours :)

Josep Burgaya Pujols - 8 years, 2 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$