An algebra problem by Norwyn Kah

Algebra Level 4

If the fractional part of x = ( 5 + 3 ) 6 x = (\sqrt5 + \sqrt3)^6 is denoted by y y , find x ( 1 y ) x(1-y) .


The answer is 64.

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1 solution

Grant Bulaong
May 29, 2016

We can express the given as x = ( 5 + 3 ) 6 + ( 5 3 ) 6 ( 5 3 ) 6 x=(\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{3})^6 + (\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6 - (\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6 . Notice that ( 5 3 ) 6 < 1 (\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6<1 and that the expansion of ( 5 + 3 ) 6 + ( 5 3 ) 6 (\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{3})^6 + (\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6 is an integer. Adding and subtracting ( 5 3 ) 6 (\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6 gives y = 1 ( 5 3 ) 6 y=1-(\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6 . We have x ( 1 y ) = ( 5 + 3 ) 6 ( 5 3 ) 6 = 64 x(1-y)=(\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{3})^6(\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{3})^6=\boxed{64} .

same approach

Norwyn Kah - 5 years ago

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