{Dec}

Algebra Level 3

Find the sum of all real numbers x x for which

{ x } = 1 5 x \large \{x\} = \frac 1{5} x

Notation: { } \{\cdot \} denotes the fractional part of x x in its decimal representation. For instance, { 3.4 } = 3.4 3 = 0.4 \{3.4\} = 3.4-3 = 0.4 , { 2 } = 0 \{2\} = 0 , and { 2.7 } = 2.7 ( 3 ) = 0.3 \{-2.7\} = -2.7-(-3) = 0.3 . In particular, the fractional part is non-negative.


Source: Philippines Mathematical Olympiad


The answer is 7.5.

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2 solutions

Parth Sankhe
Nov 20, 2018

{x} = x - [x] , where [.] is the floor function, i.e. the greatest integer lesser than or equal to x.

x [ x ] = x 5 x-[x]=\frac {x}{5}

[ x ] = 4 x 5 [x]=\frac {4x}{5}

Since, the LHS of the above equation is always an integer, x x will have to be of the form 5 n 4 \frac {5n}{4} , where n n is any integer. Fortunately, n n cannot be greater than 3, as that would make x x an integer, which would result in {x} = 0. Also note that x 0 x≥0 , since {x}≥0

All 4 values of n n (i.e. 0,1,2,3) satisfy the given equation. Therefore, sum of all possible x = 0 + 5 4 + 10 4 + 15 4 = 7.5 x= 0+\frac {5}{4}+ \frac {10}{4} + \frac {15}{4}=7.5

Zakir Husain
Mar 24, 2021

{ x } : = x x \{x\}:=x-\lfloor x\rfloor x x = x 5 \therefore x-\lfloor x\rfloor = \dfrac{x}{5} 4 x 5 = x \Rightarrow \dfrac{4x}{5}=\lfloor x\rfloor x = 5 × x 4 . . . . . . . . . [ 1 ] \Rightarrow {x}=5\times\dfrac{\lfloor x\rfloor}{4}.........[1] N o t e t h a t : 0 { x } < 1 0 x 5 < 1 0 x < 5 0 x < 5 Note\space that:\space 0\leq\{x\}<1\Rightarrow 0\leq\dfrac{x}{5}<1\Rightarrow 0\leq x<5\Rightarrow 0\leq\lfloor x\rfloor<5 x { 5 4 , 10 4 , 15 4 } b y p u t t i n g e a c h v a l u e o f x i n [ 1 ] \Rightarrow x\in\{\dfrac{5}{4},\dfrac{10}{4},\dfrac{15}{4}\}\space\blue{by\space putting\space each\space value\space of\space \lfloor x\rfloor\space in\space [1]} A n s w e r = 5 4 + 10 4 + 15 4 = 30 4 = 7.5 \Rightarrow Answer=\dfrac{5}{4}+\dfrac{10}{4}+\dfrac{15}{4}=\dfrac{30}{4}=7.5

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