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Algebra Level 4

Find the number of real solutions to the equation 4 x 2 40 x + 51 = 0 4x^{2}-40\lfloor x\rfloor+51=0


The answer is 4.

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1 solution

Chew-Seong Cheong
Aug 14, 2017

4 x 2 40 x + 51 = 0 4 x 2 = 40 x 51 \begin{aligned} 4x^2 - 40\lfloor x \rfloor + 51 & = 0 \\ \implies 4x^2 & = 40\lfloor x \rfloor - 51 \end{aligned}

4 x 2 40 x 51 < 4 ( x + 1 ) 2 \begin{aligned} \implies 4 \lfloor x \rfloor ^2 & \le 40\lfloor x \rfloor - 51 < 4(\lfloor x \rfloor + 1)^2 \end{aligned}

{ 4 x 2 40 x + 51 0 ( 2 x 3 ) ( 2 x 17 ) 0 2 x 8 4 x 2 32 x + 55 > 0 ( 2 x 5 ) ( 2 x 11 ) > 0 x 2 x 6 \implies \begin{cases} 4\lfloor x \rfloor^2 - 40 \lfloor x \rfloor + 51 \le 0 & \implies (2\lfloor x \rfloor-3)(2\lfloor x \rfloor-17) \le 0 & \implies 2 \le \lfloor x \rfloor \le 8 \\ 4\lfloor x \rfloor^2 - 32 \lfloor x \rfloor + 55 > 0 & \implies (2\lfloor x \rfloor-5)(2\lfloor x \rfloor-11) > 0 & \implies \lfloor x \rfloor \le 2 \cup \lfloor x \rfloor \ge 6 \end{cases}

x = { 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 } \implies \lfloor x \rfloor = \{2, 6, 7, 8\} , 4 \boxed{4} solutions.

And hey this comment is not related to this problem. But I just got to know, today 15/08/17, our Independence day is a Pythagorean triplet. See, 15²+8²=225+64=289=17². Isn't it interesting and worth sharing.

Prayas Rautray - 3 years, 9 months ago

But how will you do that in an examination hall. I have better solution, to find the range without drawing a graph. I will post it on Monday, when my math exam is over.

Prayas Rautray - 3 years, 9 months ago

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Thanks, I think I have got it.

Chew-Seong Cheong - 3 years, 9 months ago

That's absolutely BRILLIANT! Now I don't have to post any solution. Upvoted. Short, Crisp and creative.

Prayas Rautray - 3 years, 9 months ago

How come these are the solutions?? Because by substituting x as 2, 6, 7, or 8 the above equation is not satisfied...Please explain. Because, there might be a further version of the question asking for the "sum of squares of the roots of the equation." How do we solve it then?? Please explain..

Aaghaz Mahajan - 3 years, 9 months ago

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4 x 2 40 x + 51 = 0 x = 40 x 51 2 4x^2 - 40\lfloor x \rfloor + 51 = 0 \implies x = \frac {\sqrt{40\lfloor x \rfloor - 51}}2 . When x = 2 \lfloor x \rfloor = 2 , we find that x 2.693 x \approx 2.693 , x = 2 \implies \lfloor x \rfloor = 2 . Similarly, for x = 6.7.8 \lfloor x \rfloor = 6.7.8 . You don't get solution for x = 3 , 4 , 5 , . . . \lfloor x \rfloor = 3,4,5, ...

Chew-Seong Cheong - 3 years, 9 months ago

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Thank you sir. There is just another small doubt. If the question asks for the product of roots or sum of roots, can we then apply Vieta ?? Because I don't think it would be applicable....So, what would be the correct procedure to solve this part then??

Aaghaz Mahajan - 3 years, 9 months ago

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@Aaghaz Mahajan Why don't you read up on your own? Then you will learn more. Yes, you can apply Vieta formula, but note that Vieta its true for all roots which may not be real. For example x 2 + x + 1 = 0 x^2+x+1=0 has only complex roots and Vieta works.

Chew-Seong Cheong - 3 years, 9 months ago

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@Chew-Seong Cheong Thank you. I'll surely check it out.

Aaghaz Mahajan - 3 years, 9 months ago

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@Aaghaz Mahajan You can key in the search box above for the wiki in Brilliant. Click the link here.

Chew-Seong Cheong - 3 years, 9 months ago

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