Binomial has a fraction

Algebra Level 4

If ( 5 + 2 6 ) n = m + f (5+2\sqrt{6} )^{n}= m+f , where m m and n n are positive integers and 0 < f < 1 0<f<1 , what is 1 1 f f \dfrac 1{1-f}-f ?

This problem is a part of the set Advanced is basic .
m 1 m m-\frac{1}{m} 1 m \frac{1}{m} m + 1 m m+\frac{1}{m} m m

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3 solutions

Prince Loomba
Apr 19, 2016

( 5 + 2 6 ) n = (5+2\sqrt{6})^{n}= ( n 0 ) n \choose 0 5 n 5^{n} + ( n 1 ) n \choose 1 5 n 1 × 2 6 1 5^{n-1} \times 2\sqrt6^{1} +......... =m+f (fractional part)
( 5 2 6 ) n = (5-2\sqrt{6})^{n}= ( n 0 ) n \choose 0 5 n 5^{n} - ( n 1 ) n \choose 1 5 n 1 × 2 6 1 5^{n-1} \times 2\sqrt6^{1} +......... =p+g (fractional part)
Adding, ( 5 + 2 6 ) n (5+2\sqrt{6})^{n} + ( 5 2 6 ) n (5-2\sqrt{6})^{n} = all integer terms (irrational terms cancelled). Note that ( 5 2 6 ) < 1 (5-2\sqrt{6})<1 . Thus all powers are less than 1 or p = 0 p=0 . ..................................................
Therefore m+f+g = integer. m is also an integer, thus f+g is integer. 0 < f + g < 2 0<f+g<2 implies f + g = 1 f+g=1
or g = 1 f g=1-f . Also notice that ( 5 + 2 6 ) n × ( 5 2 6 ) n = 1 n = 1 (5+2\sqrt{6})^{n} \times (5-2\sqrt{6})^{n}=1^{n}=1 .......................................................
...................................................................................................................................................... ( 1 f ) × ( m + f ) = 1 = > 1 1 f = m + f (1-f) \times (m+f)=1 => \frac{1}{1-f}=m+f or ................................................................................................ 1 1 f f = m + f f = m \frac{1}{1-f}-f =m+f-f=m . Hence proved for general n n

Patrick Corn
Feb 16, 2018

Note that ( 5 + 2 6 ) n + ( 5 2 6 ) n (5+2\sqrt{6})^n + (5-2\sqrt{6})^n is always an integer. You can see this by expanding, or by noting that it lies in Q ( 6 {\mathbb Q}(\sqrt{6} ) and is invariant under the automorphism σ ( a + b 6 ) = a b 6 . \sigma(a+b\sqrt{6}) = a - b\sqrt{6}.

Since ( 5 2 6 ) n (5-2\sqrt{6})^n is a positive real number less than 1 , 1, we get m = ( 5 + 2 6 ) n + ( 5 2 6 ) n 1 f = 1 ( 5 2 6 ) n \begin{aligned} m &= (5+2\sqrt{6})^n + (5-2\sqrt{6})^n -1 \\ f &= 1-(5-2\sqrt{6})^n \end{aligned} Then 1 1 f f = 1 ( 5 2 6 ) n ( 1 ( 5 2 6 ) n ) = ( 5 + 2 6 ) n + ( 5 2 6 ) n 1 = m . \frac1{1-f} - f = \frac1{(5-2\sqrt{6})^n} - (1-(5-2\sqrt{6})^n) = (5+2\sqrt{6})^n + (5-2\sqrt{6})^n - 1 = \fbox{m}.

What a wonderful solution!

Luke Smith - 1 year, 2 months ago

Let n=1 (Given n is a Positive integer)

Given 5 + 2 6 = m + f ( 0 < f < 1 ) 5+2\sqrt { 6 } =m+f\quad (0<f<1) and m is a positive integer.

and 5 + 2 6 = 9.898979... = > m = 9 a n d f = 0.898979... 5+2\sqrt { 6 } =9.898979...\\ =>\quad m=9\quad and\quad f=0.898979...

Consider 5 2 6 = g ( 0 < g < 1 ) 5-2\sqrt { 6 } =g\quad (0<g<1)

Now adding both equations.

10 = m + f + g 10=m+f+g and 0 < f + g < 2 0<f+g<2

But f + g f+g is integer. Therefore f + g = 1 f+g=1 And m = 9 m=9

g = 1 f = 5 2 6 1 1 f = 5 + 2 6 a n d f = 2 6 4 N o w 1 1 f f = 5 + 2 6 ( 2 6 4 ) = 9 1 1 f f = m g=1-f=5-2\sqrt { 6 } \\ \frac { 1 }{ 1-f } =5+2\sqrt { 6 } \\ and\quad f=2\sqrt { 6 } -4\\ Now\quad \\ \frac { 1 }{ 1-f } -f=5+2\sqrt { 6 } -(2\sqrt { 6 } -4)=9\\ \frac { 1 }{ 1-f } -f=m

Moderator note:

This is a particular solution for n = 1 n = 1 . It does not deal with the general case as yet.

You could have solved it for a general n . Anyways nice solution !! : ) :)

Keshav Tiwari - 5 years, 2 months ago

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We can solve it for n But it need to contain binomial terms which are too long to write.

Rishabh Deep Singh - 5 years, 2 months ago

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That would be the long-winded way of viewing it.

Think about how f f could be written only in terms of n n .

In particular, the general claim is that

1 1 f = ( 5 + 2 6 ) n = m + f \frac{1}{1-f} = ( 5 + 2 \sqrt{6} ) ^n = m + f

Calvin Lin Staff - 5 years, 2 months ago

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