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Algebra Level 2

Let k k be the integer solution to the quadratic equation a x 2 + b x + c a b c = 0 a{ x }^{ 2 }+bx+c-\overline { abc }=0 . Evaluate k 3 + 7 k 2 + 2 k + 9 { k }^{ 3 }+7{ k }^{ 2 }+2k+9 .

  • Here, b |b| is not a multiple of a |a| .


The answer is 1729.

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1 solution

Hung Woei Neoh
May 10, 2016

a x 2 + b x + c a b c = 0 a x 2 + b x + c ( 100 a + 10 b + c ) = 0 a x 2 + b x 100 a 10 b = 0 x = b ± b 2 4 a ( 100 a 10 b ) 2 a = b ± 400 a 2 + 40 a b + b 2 2 a = b ± ( 20 a ) 2 + 2 ( 20 a ) ( b ) + b 2 2 a = b ± ( 20 a + b ) 2 2 a = b ± ( 20 a + b ) 2 a ax^2+bx+c-\overline{abc} =0\\ ax^2 + bx + c - (100a+10b+c) = 0\\ ax^2 + bx - 100a - 10b = 0\\ x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4a(-100a-10b)}}{2a}\\ =\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{400a^2 + 40ab + b^2}}{2a}\\ =\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{(20a)^2 + 2(20a)(b) + b^2}}{2a}\\ =\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{(20a+b)^2}}{2a}\\ =\dfrac{-b \pm (20a+b)}{2a}

Now, let's try the solution with + ( 20 a + b ) +(20a+b)

x = b + ( 20 a + b ) 2 a = 20 a 2 a = 10 x = \dfrac{-b + (20a+b)}{2a} = \dfrac{20a}{2a} = 10

This solution is an integer, therefore k = 10 k=10

k 3 + 7 k 2 + 2 k + 9 = 1 0 3 + 7 ( 10 ) 2 + 2 ( 10 ) + 9 = 1729 k^3 + 7k^2 + 2k + 9 = 10^3 + 7(10)^2 +2 (10) + 9 = \boxed{1729}

The other solution, however, can also be an integer.

x = b ( 20 a + b ) 2 a = 2 b 20 a 2 a = b a 10 x=\dfrac{-b - (20a+b)}{2a} = \dfrac{-2b - 20a}{2a} = -\dfrac{b}{a} - 10

This solution will be an integer too if b |b| is a multiple of a |a|

For example, a = 2 , b = 4 a=2,\;b=4

x = 4 2 10 = 12 x = -\dfrac{4}{2} - 10 = -12

In this case, k k can also be 12 -12 .

Then, k 3 + 7 k 2 + 2 k + 9 = ( 12 ) 3 + 7 ( 12 ) 2 + 2 ( 12 ) + 9 = 735 k^3 + 7k^2 + 2k + 9 = (-12)^3 + 7(-12)^2 +2 (-12) + 9 = \boxed{-735}

Of course, there are many other possible answers.

The only way to ensure that this question has a unique answer is to add the condition: b |b| is not a multiple of a |a|

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