The equation x 3 − 3 x 2 − 3 x − 1 = 0 has exactly one real solution that can be written in the form 3 a + 3 b + 3 c .
What is the value of a + b + c ?
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how did you think to multiply and divide the expression in the last step , that's great
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In the unlikely event that you still find this relevant or novel, seems he just used ( x 3 − y 3 ) = ( x − y ) ( x 2 + x y + y 2 ) for ( x , y ) = ( 3 2 , 3 1 )
( a − b ) ( a 2 + a b + b 2 ) = a 3 − b 3 where a = 3 2 and b = 1
Technique in aops vol 1
Let's use the method of Cardano:
Make the substitution x = y + 1 in order to delete the quadratic coefficient:
( y + 1 ) 3 − 3 ( y + 1 ) 2 − 3 ( y + 1 ) − 1 = 0 ⟹ y 3 − 6 y − 6 = 0
Now, compare the coefficients of the equation in y with the identity ( a + b ) 3 − 3 a b ( a + b ) − ( a 3 + b 3 ) = 0 . An equation system will be formed:
y = a + b
3 a b = 6
a 3 + b 3 = 6
Simplify the second equation and cube both sides: ( a b ) 3 = 8
With ( a b ) 3 = 8 and a 3 + b 3 = 6 we are motivated to find an equation with roots a 3 and b 3 because of Vieta's formulas. Let's make a equation in z : ( z − a 3 ) ( z − b 3 ) = 0 ⟹ z 2 − ( a 3 + b 3 ) z + ( a b ) 3 = 0 ⟹ z 2 − 6 z + 8 = 0 That is factored eeasily as ( z − 2 ) ( z − 4 ) = 0 . Hence, a 3 = 2 and b 3 = 4 .
So, a = 3 2 and b = 3 4 taking the real values.
Finally, y = 3 2 + 3 4 and x = 3 2 + 3 4 + 1 .
x = 3 2 + 3 4 + 3 1
The final answer is 2 + 4 + 1 = 7 .
Great work, chap!! :)
What this answer is saying that this question makes the assumption that a, b and c must be integers, otherwise you can choose any values for a, and b, and then determine c, which would often give a different value of a+b+c. It perhaps should have been put as "report a problem"
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x 3 − 3 x 2 − 3 x − 1 = 0 x 3 = 3 x 2 + 3 x + 1 2 x 3 = x 3 + 3 x 2 + 3 x + 1 2 x 3 = ( x + 1 ) 3 3 2 x = x + 1 ( 3 2 − 1 ) x = 1 x = 3 2 − 1 1 ⇒ x = 3 2 − 1 1 ⋅ 3 4 + 3 2 + 3 1 3 4 + 3 2 + 3 1 = 3 4 + 3 2 + 3 1 a + b + c = 7