min ( x + y ) (x+y)

Algebra Level 3

2016 2017 < x y < 2017 2018 \frac{2016}{2017}<\frac{x}{y}< \frac{2017}{2018}

As a 4-digit number, the minimum possible value of x + y x+y is m m

Enter the answer as last two digits of m m

Note : ( x , y ) (x,y) are positive integers


The answer is 68.

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2 solutions

Patrick Corn
Dec 10, 2019

Assuming x , y x,y are positive integers, rewrite this as 1 2018 < y x y < 1 2017 . \frac1{2018} < \frac{y-x}{y} < \frac1{2017}. Let a = y x a = y-x ; then 2017 a < y < 2018 a . 2017a < y < 2018a.

If a = 1 a=1 there is no solution. If a = 2 a=2 there is exactly one solution, y = 4035. y=4035. This gives x = 4033 x=4033 and x + y = 8068. x+y = 8068.

Larger values of a a yield values for x x and y y that are at least 6000 , 6000, hence x + y x+y is at least 12000. 12000. So the minimum possible x + y x+y is 8068 , 8068, so the answer is 68 . \fbox{68}.

Very nice.

Richard Desper - 1 year, 6 months ago

Nice solution,thnx

Mr. India - 1 year, 6 months ago
Richard Desper
Dec 9, 2019

Assuming problem wants x , y x,y to be positive integers...(note that x + y x+y can be an integer even if x , y x, y are not. And letting x , y < 0 x,y < 0 precludes the possibility of a minimum value of x + y x + y )

Rewrite the inequality as: 4032 4034 < x y < 4034 4036 \frac{4032}{4034} < \frac{x}{y} < \frac{4034}{4036}

It is clear that x = 4033 , y = 4035 x = 4033, y = 4035 is a solution. Didn't prove that this solution minimizes the value of x + y x + y , but verified that fact with Python routine that considered all pairs of 4-digit numbers. (I suspect a direct proof isn't that difficult, but coding is even easier.)

So m = x + y = 8068 m = x+y = 8068 .

well, please show a direct proof cuz using coding is not a good way

Isaac YIU Math Studio - 1 year, 6 months ago

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Why is coding not a good way? The four-color theorem was proven using coding.

A solution using a computer to calculate all possibilities may not be elegant, but it is sound. And often it's far more practical.

Richard Desper - 1 year, 6 months ago

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Well, you like coding, fine. I won't stop you dude

Isaac YIU Math Studio - 1 year, 6 months ago

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