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Algebra Level 3

{ a + a 2 + a 3 + = 5 6 a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + = 25 66 b + b 2 + b 3 + = 6 5 b 2 + b 3 + b 4 + = 36 55 \large{ \begin{cases} a+a^2+a^3+\cdots=\dfrac{5}{6} \\ a^2+a^3+a^4+\cdots=\dfrac{25}{66} \\ b+b^2+b^3+\cdots=\dfrac{6}{5} \\ b^2+b^3+b^4+\cdots=\dfrac{36}{55} \end{cases}}

Given the above, find a 2 b 2 a^2-b^2 .

11 30 \dfrac{-11}{30} 1 11 \dfrac{-1}{11} 1 11 \dfrac{1}{11} 11 30 \dfrac{11}{30}

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3 solutions

Hung Woei Neoh
Jun 26, 2016

{ a + a 2 + a 3 + = 5 6 1 a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + = 25 66 2 b + b 2 + b 3 + = 6 5 3 b 2 + b 3 + b 4 + = 36 55 4 \begin{cases} a+a^2+a^3+\ldots = \dfrac{5}{6} &\boxed{1}\\ a^2+a^3+a^4+\ldots=\dfrac{25}{66} &\boxed{2}\\ b+b^2+b^3+\ldots=\dfrac{6}{5} &\boxed{3}\\ b^2+b^3+b^4+\ldots=\dfrac{36}{55} &\boxed{4}\end{cases}

1 2 \boxed{1} - \boxed{2} :

( a + a 2 + a 3 + ) ( a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + ) = 5 6 25 66 a = 30 66 = 5 11 \left(a+a^2+a^3+\ldots \right) - \left(a^2+a^3+a^4+\ldots\right) = \dfrac{5}{6} - \dfrac{25}{66}\\ a=\dfrac{30}{66} = \dfrac{5}{11}

3 4 \boxed{3} - \boxed{4} :

( b + b 2 + b 3 + ) ( b 2 + b 3 + b 4 + ) = 6 5 36 55 b = 30 55 = 6 11 \left(b+b^2+b^3+\ldots \right) - \left(b^2+b^3+b^4+\ldots\right) = \dfrac{6}{5} - \dfrac{36}{55}\\ b=\dfrac{30}{55} = \dfrac{6}{11}

a 2 b 2 = ( a b ) ( a + b ) = ( 5 11 6 11 ) ( 5 11 + 6 11 ) = ( 1 11 ) ( 11 11 ) = 1 11 a^2-b^2\\ =(a-b)(a+b)\\ =\left(\dfrac{5}{11}-\dfrac{6}{11}\right)\left(\dfrac{5}{11}+\dfrac{6}{11}\right)\\ =\left(-\dfrac{1}{11}\right)\left(\dfrac{11}{11}\right)\\ =\boxed{-\dfrac{1}{11}}

Moderator note:

You have not yet established that " a = 5 11 a = \frac{5}{11} satisfies both equations".

For example, if the equations were " a + a 2 + = 1 a + a^2 + \ldots = 1 and a 2 + a 3 + = 2 a^2 + a^3 + \ldots = 2 , can we use your approach to conclude that a = 2 1 = 1 a = 2-1 = 1 ?

Nikhesh Kumar
Jun 25, 2016

Substitute the second equation by taking a^2 common and in the fourth equation b^2 common and then substitute the values of first and third equation in them.you will get a^2 as 5/11 and b^2 as 6/11. Subtracting them gives the answer -1/11

good observation..+1

Ayush G Rai - 4 years, 11 months ago

You might want to check your statements again. Are you sure that a 2 = 5 11 a^2 = \frac{5}{11} ?

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 11 months ago
Prince Loomba
Jun 23, 2016

Multiply a in first equation and then compare with second equation to get a = 5 11 a=\frac {5}{11} and similarly multiply b to third to get b = 6 11 b=\frac {6}{11} DETAILED SOLUTION: a 2 + . . . = 5 a 6 a n d a 2 + . . . = 25 66 . a^{2}+...=\frac {5a}{6} and a^{2}+...=\frac {25}{66}. Since lhs is same, 5 a 6 = 25 66 o r a = 5 11 \frac {5a}{6}=\frac {25}{66} or a=\frac {5}{11} and similarly find b.

Moderator note:

This solution is incomplete.

It does not prove that a = 5 11 a = \frac{5}{11} satisfies both equations. It only shows that "If there is a value that satisfies these equations, we must have a = 5 11 a = \frac{5}{11} .

good one..+1

Ayush G Rai - 4 years, 11 months ago

This solution is incomplete.

It does not prove that a = 5 11 a = \frac{5}{11} satisfies both equations. It only shows that "If there is a value that satisfies these equations, we must have a = 5 11 a = \frac{5}{11} .

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 11 months ago

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I dont understand why it is incomplete. I have editted to make it more clear.

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 11 months ago

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You have not established that " a = 5 11 a = \frac{5}{11} satisfies both equations".

For example, if the equations were " a + a 2 + = 1 a + a^2 + \ldots = 1 and a 2 + a 3 + = 2 a^2 + a^3 + \ldots = 2 , can we use your approach to conclude that a = 2 1 = 2 a = \frac{2}{1} = 2 must be the answer?

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 11 months ago

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@Calvin Lin No I have used both. See my recent solution

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 11 months ago

I dont understand @calvin lin

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 11 months ago

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