Title: | Mathematics at DEC |
Moderator: | RUSURE::EDP |
Created: | Mon Feb 03 1986 |
Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
Number of topics: | 2083 |
Total number of notes: | 14613 |
Newsgroups: sci.math Path: decwrl!decvax!ucbvax!cartan!brahms!larsen Subject: This year's Putnam Exam Posted: 8 Dec 86 21:47:03 GMT Organization: Math Dept. UC Berkeley The following is a copy of this year's William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition: Morning session (3 hours) Problem A-1. Find, with explanation, the maximum value of f(x) = x^3 - 3x on the set of real numbers x satisfying x^4 + 36 <= 13x^2. Problem A-2. What is the units (i.e. rightmost) digit of [10^20000 / (10^100 + 3)]? Here [x] is the greatest integer <= x. Problem A-3. Evaluate sum(arccot(n^2 + n + 1)) as n runs over non-negative integers. Here arccot(t) for t >= 0 denotes the number theta in the interval 0 < theta < pi/2 with cot(theta) = t. Problem A-4. A transversal of an n x n matrix A consists of n entries of A, no two in the same row or column. Let f(n) be the number of n x n matrices A satisfying the following two conditions: a) Each entry a(i,j) of A is in the set {-1, 0, 1}. b) The sum of a transversal is the same for all transversals of A. An example of such a matrix is [-1 0 -1 ] A = [ 0 1 0 ]. [ 0 1 0 ] Determine with proof a formula for f(n) of the form f(n) = a(1)b(1)^n + a(2)b(2)^n + a(3)b(3)^n + a(4), where the a(i)'s and b(i)'s are rational rational numbers. Problem A-5. Suppose f1(x), f2(x), ..., fn(x) are functions of n real variables x = (x1, ..., xn) with continuous second order partial derivatives everywhere on R^n. Suppose further that there are constants c(i,j) such that d fi d fj ---- - ---- = c(i, j) for all i, j between 1 and n. d xj d xi (Here d denotes partial derivative.) Prove that there is a function g(x) on R^n such that fi + dg / dxi is linear for all i, 1 <= i <= n. (A linear function is one of the form a0 + a1 x1 + a2 x2 + ... + an xn.) Problem A-6. Let a(1), ..., a(n) be real numbers, and let b(1), ..., b(n) be distinct positive integers. Suppose there is a polynomial f(x) satisfying the identity (1 - x)^n f(x) = 1 + sum(a(i) x^b(i)), where the sum is taken from 1 to n. Find a simple expression (not involving sums) for f(1) in terms of b(1), ..., b(n) (but independent of a(1), ..., a(n).) Afternoon session (3 hours) Problem B-1. Inscribe a rectangle of base b and height h and an isosceles triangle of base b in a circle of radius 1 in such a way that the base of the triangle coincides with a base of the rectangle. For what value of h do the rectangle and triangle have equal areas. Problem B-2. Prove that there are only a finite number of possibilities for the ordered triple T = (x-y, y-z, z-x) where x, y, and z are complex numbers satisfying the simultaneous equations x (x-1) + 2 y z = y (y-1) + 2 z x = z (z-1) + 2 x y, and list all such triples T. Problem B-3. Let Z[x] consist of all polynomials in x with integral coefficients. For f and g in Z[x] and m a positive integer we write "f = g (mod m)" to mean that f-g is an integral multiple of m. Let n and p be positive integers with p prime. Given that f, g, h, r, and s are in Z[x] with rf + sg = 1 (mod p) r f + s g = 1 (mod p), f g = h (mod p), prove there exist F and G in Z[x] with F = f (mod p), G = g (mod p), and F G = h (mod p^n). Problem B-4. For a positive real number r, let G(r) be the minimum value of |r - sqrt(m^2 + 2n^2)|, for all integers m and n. Prove or disprove the assertion that lim G(r) exists and is 0 as r ---> infinity. Problem B-5. Let f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + x y z. Let p(x,y,z), q(x,y,z), and r(x,y,z) be polynomials with real coefficients satisfying f(p(x,y,z), q(x,y,z), r(x,y,z)) = f(x, y, z). Prove or disprove the assertion that the sequence p, q, r consists of some permutation of (+-)x, (+-)y, (+-)z, where the number of minus signs is 0 or 2. Problem B-6. Suppose A, B, C, D are n x n matrices with entries in a field F satisfying the conditions that A T(B) and C T(D) are symmetric and A T(D) - B T(C) = I, where T denotes transpose and I is the identity matrix. Prove that T(A) D - T(C) B = I. My apologies in advance for misprints and lapses of notational clarity. Michael Larsen @ brahms.berkeley.edu
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624.1 | Attempted solution for A-1 | SSDEVO::LARY | Wed Dec 10 1986 11:25 | 15 | |
Bypass this if you want to try it yourself... 4 2 2 2 x - 13x + 36 <= 0 --> (x - 4)(x - 9) <= 0 --> (x-3)(x-2)(x+2)(x+3) <= 0 This will be true when any of the terms are 0 or when an odd number of them are negative; i.e. the set of real numbers that satisfies the inequality is [-3,-2] U [2,3]. 3 2 The derivative of x - 3x = 3x - 3 which is positive throughout both subranges, so the maximum must be at an righthand endpoint; trying -2 and 3 shows the max is at 3 and it is 18. | |||||
624.2 | attempted solution of A-2 | SSDEVO::LARY | Wed Dec 10 1986 11:36 | 23 | |
Bypass this if you want to try it yourself... 20000 100 19900 -100 10 / (10 + 3) = 10 / (1 + 3*10 ) 19900 1 -100 2 -200 3 -300 = 10 * (1 - 3 * 10 + 3 * 10 - 3 * 10 + ... 198 -19800 199 -19900 200 -20000 ... + 3 * 10 - 3 * 10 + 3 * 10 - ...) 100 199 200 100 = (some integer) * 10 - 3 + (3 / (10 + 3)) 200 100 100 Now, the last term is less than 1 (3 = 9 < 10 ), so the rightmost digit of the quotient will be expressed as 199 49 nnnn0 - 3 = nnnn0 - ((81) * 27) = nnnnn0 - mmmmm7 = 3 | |||||
624.3 | Attempt at solving A-3 | SSDEVO::LARY | Wed Dec 10 1986 12:06 | 23 | |
Bypass this if you want to try it... -1 2 -1 Lemma: sigma(i=0 to n) cot (i +i+1) = cot (1/(n+1)) -1 -1 Proof by induction: 1) its true for n=0, i.e. cot (1) = cot (1) 2) If its true for i=0 through n-1, then -1 2 -1 -1 2 sigma(i=0 to n) cot (i +i+1) = cot (1/n) + cot (n +n+1) Using the formula cot(x+y) = (cot(x)cot(y)-1)/(cot(x)+cot(y)) this yields the desired result and we have a lemma. Therefore, -1 2 -1 sigma(i=0 to infinity) cot (i +i+1) = lim(n-->infinity) cot (1/(n+1)) = cot (0) = pi/2 | |||||
624.4 | Attempt at solving B-1 | CACHE::MARSHALL | hunting the snark | Wed Dec 10 1986 15:14 | 25 |
finally, one I CAN solve! (it IS the easiest one of the lot) . / \ ............. ____ | / \ | | / + \ | h |/_________\| ____ "+" :== center of circle when the height of the triangle that sticks up above the rectangle is equal to "h", the two areas will be the same. thus h + (1/2)h = r = 1 h = 2/3 / ( ___ ) /// / | |||||
624.5 | Attempted solution to A-4 | SSDEVO::LARY | Wed Dec 10 1986 17:21 | 53 | |
Bypass this if you want to try it yourself. Its not a very pretty solution - is there a better one? Since each transversal contains exactly one element from each row and column, if you pick two elements a(i,j) and a(k,l) in a transversal and substitute the "other corners" a(i,l) and a(k,j) for them you still have a transversal. If the sum of every transversal in A is the same, it follows that a(i,j) + a(k,l) = a(i,l) + a(k,j) for all i,j,k and l which implies a(i,j) - a(k,j) = a(i,l) - a(k,l), which implies that each row of the matrix A differs from each other row, and specifically from the first row, by a constant; i.e. (1) a(i,j) = a(1,j) + d(i) for all i and j. Conversely, any matrix that obeys formula (1) will have the sum of all its transversals equal to sigma(j=1 to n)a(1,j) + sigma(i=2 to n)d(i), and is thus the kind of matrix we are looking for. So, the set of matrices we are looking for is exactly the set of matrices that obey (1). Now, how many matrices of order n with elements in {-1, 0, 1} satisfy (1)? Well, there are 3^n possible "first rows" of such a matrix. They fall into three categories: (a) First rows where max(a(1,j))-min(a(1,j)) = 0 - there are three such first rows, namely all 0, all 1, and all -1. (b) First rows where max(a(1,j))-min(a(1,j)) = 1 - there are 2^(n+1)-4 such first rows, namely all rows consisting of just {0,1} except for all 0 and all 1 (2^n-2 of these), and all rows consisting of just {0, -1} except for all 0 and all -1 (another 2^n-2 of these). (c) First rows where max(a(1,j))-min(a(1,j)) = 2 - all the remaining first rows are of this type, namely 3^n-2^(n+1)+1. Now: For first rows of type (a) there are 3 choices of d(i) for every other row For first rows of type (b) there are 2 choices of d(i) for every other row For first rows of type (c) there are 1 choices of d(i) for every other row So, the total number of matrices of order n is: 3 * 3^(n-1) + (2^(n+1)-4) * 2^(n-1) + (3^n-2^(n+1)+1) * 1^(n-1) which in the form needed by the problem is: 2 * 3^n + 1 * 4^n + (-4) * 2^n + 1 * 1^n Whew! | |||||
624.6 | Problem A2 | ENGINE::ROTH | Wed Dec 10 1986 17:50 | 26 | |
Problem A-2: � What is the units (i.e. rightmost) digit of [10^20000 / (10^100 + 3)]? � Here [x] is the greatest integer <= x. Expanding the denominator in a power series we get 10^19900 * [ 1 - 3*10^-100 + 9*10^-200 - 27*10^-300 + ... ] Deep in the bowels of the parenthesised series we find a term like (-1)^k * 3^k * 10^(100*k) * (1 - 3 * 10^-100) + Set k to 199 and combine with 10^19900 and get - 3^199 * (1 - 3 * 10^-100) For powers of 3 the least significant decimal digit runs thru {1, 3, 9, 7} as k runs thru the integers, so we find the least digit to be 7 since 199 mod 4 = 3 and the term is - ...6.9999999999 So the least digit must be 3. - Jim | |||||
624.7 | Problem B1 | ENGINE::ROTH | Wed Dec 10 1986 17:52 | 26 | |
Problem B-1: � Inscribe a rectangle of base b and height h and an isosceles triangle � of base b in a circle of radius 1 in such a way that the base of the triangle � coincides with a base of the rectangle. For what value of h do the rectangle � and triangle have equal areas. Let the angle from the center of the circle subtended by the base of the triangle be t. Then the area of the rectangle will be 4*cos(t)*sin(t), and the area of the isosceles triangle will be (1+cos(t))*sin(t). By the stated equality, 4*cos(t)*sin(t) = (1+cos(t))*sin(t), cos(t) = 1/3. And the height of the triangle will be 1+cos(t) = 1+1/3. Also, the angle of the isosceles triangle subtended by its base will be t/2. - Jim | |||||
624.8 | Problem B-4 | VINO::JMUNZER | Wed Dec 10 1986 18:04 | 58 | |
B-4 solution: Show that G goes to zero by picking a particular m and n for each r. ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** Let H(r) = | r - sqrt(M^2 + 2*N^2) | where M = floor (r) and N = floor ( sqrt( (r-M)*M ) ) Then G(r) <= H(r), and H(r) ---> zero (1) Example: r = 1234.5 M = 1234 sqrt (617) = 24.8 N = 24 sqrt (1234^2 + 2 * 24^2) = sqrt (1523908) = 1234.467 H(1234.5) = | 1234.5 - 1234.467 | = .033 | r^2 - M^2 - 2*N^2 | | r^2 - M^2 - 2*N^2 | (2) H(r) = --------------------------- < ----------------------- | r + sqrt(M^2 + 2*N^2) | r (3) Work on the numerator: Let X = r - M and Y = sqrt( (r-M)*M ) - N | r^2 - M^2 - 2*N^2 | = | r^2 - (r-X)^2 - 2*(sqrt( (r-M)*M - Y)^2 | = | r^2 - r^2 + 2*r*X - X^2 - 2*(sqrt( X*M - Y)^2 | = | 2*r*X - X^2 - 2*( X*M - 2*Y*sqrt( X*M ) + Y^2 ) | = | 2*r*X - X^2 - 2*X*M + 4*Y*sqrt( X*M ) - 2*Y^2 | = | 2*r*X - X^2 - 2*X*(r-X) + 4*Y*sqrt( X*M ) - 2*Y^2 | = | 2*r*X - X^2 - 2*r*X + 2*X^2 + 4*Y*sqrt( X*M ) - 2*Y^2 | = | X^2 + 4*Y*sqrt( X*M ) - 2*Y^2 | <= | X^2 | + | 4*Y*sqrt( X*M ) | + | 2*Y^2 | <= 1 + 4 * sqrt (M) + 2 <= 4 * sqrt(r) + 3 4 * sqrt(r) + 3 (4) So H(r) < ------------------- r which ---> zero as r ---> infinity. John | |||||
624.9 | after all that, what's the answer? | CACHE::MARSHALL | hunting the snark | Wed Dec 10 1986 18:05 | 9 |
re .7: So what is "h"? / ( ___ ) /// / | |||||
624.10 | ENGINE::ROTH | Wed Dec 10 1986 18:45 | 5 | ||
Re: -< after all that, what's the answer? >- Oh well, maybe I'll learn to read someday. - Jim | |||||
624.11 | Problem B2 | ENGINE::ROTH | Wed Dec 10 1986 18:47 | 37 | |
Problem B-2: � Prove that there are only a finite number of possibilities for the � ordered triple T = (x-y, y-z, z-x) where x, y, and z are complex numbers � satisfying the simultaneous equations � � x (x-1) + 2 y z = y (y-1) + 2 z x = z (z-1) + 2 x y, � � and list all such triples T. First assume the numbers distinct. With no loss in generality, translate so x is at the origin giving: 2*y*z = y*(y-1) = z*(z-1) This is effectively a first order system, giving y = -1, z = -1, and x assumed to be zero. The triple is translation invariant, giving the only triple, (1, 0, -1). Now suppose x and y are equal, and translate so they are zero: z*(z-1) = 0, There are two roots and two triples: (0, 0, 0), (0, 1, 1) If all 3 are equal the equations are homogenous and the only triple is (0, 0, 0) - Jim | |||||
624.12 | B-2 | CLT::GILBERT | eager like a child | Wed Dec 10 1986 18:55 | 29 |
Solution for B-2 follows The simultaneous equations x (x-1) + 2 y z = y (y-1) + 2 z x = z (z-1) + 2 x y, are equivalent to (x-y) (x+y-1-2z) = 0 (y-z) (y+z-1-2x) = 0 The solutions to these are: ((x = y) or (x+y = 1+2z)) and ((y = z) or (y+z = 1+2x)) Going through the 4 possibilities, the solutions are: x = y = z x = y, z = 1+x y = z, x = 1+y z = x, y = 1+z In these cases, the ordered triple T = (x-y, y-z, z-x) takes values: ( 0, 0, 0) ( 0, -1, 1) ( 1, 0, -1) (-1, 1, 0) | |||||
624.13 | SSDEVO::LARY | Wed Dec 10 1986 19:03 | 5 | ||
I agree with .12. The (0,1,1) triple can't be right because the components have to sum to (x-y)+(y-z)+(z-x) = 0. | |||||
624.14 | A-6 | CLT::GILBERT | eager like a child | Thu Dec 11 1986 07:26 | 12 |
I 'found' what appears to be a solution to problem A-6, but as yet have no idea of why it turns out the way it does, or even whether it is the general solution. It follows the <FF>. Let a(1), ..., a(n) be real numbers, and let b(1), ..., b(n) be distinct positive integers. Suppose there is a polynomial f(x) satisfying the identity (1 - x)^n f(x) = 1 + sum(a(i) x^b(i)), where the sum is taken from 1 to n. Find a simple expression (not involving sums) for f(1) in terms of b(1), ..., b(n) (but independent of a(1), ..., a(n).) f(1) = product(b(i)) / n!, where the product is taken from 1 to n. | |||||
624.15 | ENGINE::ROTH | Thu Dec 11 1986 08:22 | 10 | ||
� The (0,1,1) triple can't be right because the components � have to sum to (x-y)+(y-z)+(z-x) = 0. That was sort of a typo, I really meant (0,-1,1) but still missed one triple. Two of the easiest ones out of 3 wrong, I should just give up on this nonsense... - Jim | |||||
624.16 | Problem A3 | ENGINE::ROTH | Thu Dec 11 1986 09:24 | 29 | |
I can't resist trying yet another one. Instead of summing the angles we can consider instead the problem of rotating in the complex plane and recover the resulting angle. arccot(k^2+k+1) = the included angle of the complex number (k^2+k+1) + j. Form the product PROD (k>=0) [(k^2+k+1) + j] = (1+j)*(3+j)*(7+j)*... The first few partial products z[k] = x[k] + j y[k] are z[0] = 1 + j z[1] = 2 + j 4 z[2] = 10 + j 30 z[3] = 100 + j 400 Now assume that in the k'th product y[k-1] = k*x[k+1] and write out the recurrance x[k] = x[k-1]*(k^2+k+1) - y[k-1] = x[k-1]*(k^2+k+1) - k*x[k-1] y[k] = y[k-1]*(k^2+k+1) + x[k-1] = k*x[k-1]*(k^2+k+1) + x[k-1] x[k] = x[k-1]*(k^2+1) y[k] = x[k-1]*(k^3+k^2+k+1) But k^3+k^2+k+1 = (k+1)*(k^2+1) and so y[k] = (k+1)*x[k], and the included angle must therefore approach pi/2 as k approaches oo. - Jim | |||||
624.17 | more on A-6 | SSDEVO::LARY | Thu Dec 11 1986 12:11 | 40 | |
> f(1) = product(b(i)) / n!, where the product is taken from 1 to n. Yeah, I suspected that as the answer by plugging in f(x) = 1 + x + x^2 + ... + x^n which makes the a(i) and b(i) terms easier to figure. One approach that looks real promising, but has me pretty well bogged down in the details, is to make use of the following properties of polynomials with repeated roots, which can be derived by expressing the polynomial in product-of-roots form and differentiating it repeatedly: 1) If a polynomial P has an n'th order repeated root r, then 2 n-1 dP , d P , ... d P P(r), ---(r) ---(r) -----(r) are all zero dx 2 n-1 dx dx 2) for that same polynomial P, the value of the reduced polynomial Q = P / (r-x)^n at r is given by n n (-1) d P ---- * ---(r) n n! dx In this case, property (1) with r=1 gives a set of n simultaneous equations in the a(i) and b(i), which can be used to express the a(i) in terms of the b(i), and property (2) gives the value of f(1). The term prod(b(i)) showed up real early when I tried to solve the set of equations, but the complexity quickly became more than I could afford..... There must be an easier way! Richie | |||||
624.18 | A1,2,3,4,6 B1,2,3,4,5,6 | HERON::BUCHANAN | Andrew @vbo DTN 828-5805 | Fri Jul 21 1989 13:41 | 433 |
Currently I haven't solved A5. Of the others, I think A3,A6,B4 and B6 are quite nice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem A-1. Find, with explanation, the maximum value of f(x) = x^3 - 3x on the set of real numbers x satisfying x^4 + 36 <= 13x^2. Answer A-1. Extrema of f are either at stationary points, or at boundaries of valid intervals which x can belong to. x^4 + 36 =< 13x^2 <=> (x+3)(x+2)(x-2)(x-3) =< 0 <=> x is in [-3,-2] or [2,3] Where are the stationary points of f(x)? df/dx = 3x^2 - 3 = 0 <=> x = � 1 Neither of these lies within the feasible intervals, so the maxima must be at a boundary of the valid intervals. x = �2 or �3, with f(x) being �2 or �18. Therefore, maximum is: ===>>> 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem A-2. What is the units (i.e. rightmost) digit of [10^20000 / (10^100 + 3)]? Here [x] is the greatest integer <= x. Answer A-2. [x/y] == [(x + 10zy)/y] (mod 10) So, mod 10 a = [10^20000 / (10^100 + 3)] == [(10^20000 - 10^19900(10^100+3)) / (10^100+3)] == [-10^19900.3 / (10^100+3)] ... == [-10^100.3^199 / (10^100+3)] Now we want to add 3^199(10^100+3)/(10^100+3) This = 3^199, which is == 7 mod10 a = [3^200 / (10^100+3)] + 3 But the term in brackets is less than 1, and so a = ===>>> 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem A-3. Evaluate sum(arccot(n^2 + n + 1)) as n runs over non-negative integers. Here arccot(t) for t >= 0 denotes the number theta in the interval 0 < theta < pi/2 with cot(theta) = t. Answer A-3. I like this one. 1 + cot(a)cot(b) cot(a-b) = ---------------- cot(b) - cot(a) So let cot(a) = 1/(n+1), cot(b) = 1/n. Now: cot(a-b) = n^2 + n + 1 => arccot(n^2+n+1) = arccot(1/(n+1)) - arccot(1/n) => sum(n=0 to N)(arccot(n^2+n+1)) = sum(n=1 to N)(arccot(n^2+n+1)) + arccot(1) = arccot(1/(N+1)) - arccot(1) + arccot(1) The limit as N goes to infinity of arccot(1/(N+1)) is pi/2, so sum(arccot(n^2+n+1)) = ===>>> pi/2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem A-4. A transversal of an n x n matrix A consists of n entries of A, no two in the same row or column. Let f(n) be the number of n x n matrices A satisfying the following two conditions: a) Each entry a(i,j) of A is in the set {-1, 0, 1}. b) The sum of a transversal is the same for all transversals of A. An example of such a matrix is [-1 0 -1 ] A = [ 0 1 0 ]. [ 0 1 0 ] Determine with proof a formula for f(n) of the form f(n) = a(1)b(1)^n + a(2)b(2)^n + a(3)b(3)^n + a(4), where the a(i)'s and b(i)'s are rational rational numbers. Answer A-4. (R1) a(i,j) is in {-1, 0, +1} for all i,j (R2) sum(i=1 to n)(a(i,p(i)) = K, for all perms p of the set {1,...,n} Suppose that p is a perm taking i to j, and i' to j', and q is the transposition (j,j'). Then have sum(a(i,p(i)) = sum(a(i,pq(i)) => a(i,j)+a(i',j') = a(i,j')+a(i',j) => a(i,j) = a(i,j')+a(i',j)-a(i',j') So in particular if i'=j'=1, then a(i,1) & a(1,j) for i,j = 1 to n, determine all the rest, and have: a(i,j) = a(i,1)+a(1,j)-a(1) This is sufficient to satisfy R(2) since sum(i=1 to n)(a(i,p(i)) = sum(i=1 to n)(a(i,1) + a(1,p(i) - a(1,1)) = sum(i=1 to n)(a(i,1) + a(1,i) - a(1,1)) which is independent of the perm chosen. It remains to satisfy (R1) in our choice of a(i,1) & a(1,j). If we pick the 2n-1 values from the set {-1,0,1}, then we must also ensure that for all i,j > 1: a(i,1)+a(j,1)-a(1,1) = -1,0 or 1. If a(i,1) = a(1,1) for all i, then there are no constraints on a(1,j) for j>1 Thus we have 3^(n-1) possibilities. Similarly, if a(1,j) = a(1,1) for all j, then we have 3^(n-1) possibilities, of which 3 have been counted already. If a(i,1)=1, and a(i',1)=-1, then all a(1,j) must be the same, else we have a(1,j) > a(1,j') => a(i,j)-a(i',j')>2, which is impossible. Thus we have no new cases. If a(1,1)=�1 then, all new cases must have a(i,1) & a(1,j) drawn from {0,a(1,1)}. All of these are legal which gives us 2.(2^(n-1)-1)^2 (must avoid having all elements on row (or column) the same, since we've counted them already. If a(1,1)=0, then must avoid having a(i,1)=a(1,j)=�1. So draw a(i,1) from {0,x=�1}, and a(1,j) from {0,x}. Discounting once more the cases whre all elements on row are the same, have 2.(2^(n-1)-1)^2. This gives us a grand total (which we can check for n=1,2 where f(n) = 3,19) for f(n) = ===>>> 1.4^n + 2.3^n - 4.2^n + 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem A-5. Suppose f1(x), f2(x), ..., fn(x) are functions of n real variables x = (x1, ..., xn) with continuous second order partial derivatives everywhere on R^n. Suppose further that there are constants c(i,j) such that d fi d fj ---- - ---- = c(i, j) for all i, j between 1 and n. d xj d xi (Here d denotes partial derivative.) Prove that there is a function g(x) on R^n such that fi + dg / dxi is linear for all i, 1 <= i <= n. (A linear function is one of the form a0 + a1 x1 + a2 x2 + ... + an xn.) Answer A-5. ??? Beats me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem A-6. Let a(1), ..., a(n) be real numbers, and let b(1), ..., b(n) be distinct positive integers. Suppose there is a polynomial f(x) satisfying the identity (1 - x)^n f(x) = 1 + sum(a(i) x^b(i)), where the sum is taken from 1 to n. Find a simple expression (not involving sums) for f(1) in terms of b(1), ..., b(n) (but independent of a(1), ..., a(n).) Answer A-6. A don't-be-frightened-of-matrices question: Examining the equation and its derivatives at x=1, we have that: sum(a(i)) = -1. for j=1,n-1: sum(b(i).(b(i)-1)...(b(i)-j+1).a(i) = 0 In fact, we can clearly add these latter equations together, and derive: for j=1,n-1: sum(b(i)^j.a(i)) = 0 We thus have that M.a=v, where M is an n*n matrix, and a&v are n-vectors. a_j = a(j) v_i = 1 if i=0, 0 if i=1 to n-1 M_i_j = b(j)^i If we can compute M^(-1).v, then we know a. It is clear that the determinant of M = prod(i>j)(b(i)-b(j)). To see this, note that the matrix is singular if b(i)=b(j), and therefore b(i)-b(j) must factor the determinant. det M is a poly of degree �n(n-1), so we only have a constant factor to calculate. The major diagonal term gives us the sign of det M, so we're there. It is nearly as easy to compute the co-factor of M_1_k, the determinant of the matrix without the first row and kth column, to be �prod(i=/=k)(b(i)).prod(i>j i,j=/=k)(b(i)-b(j)). These are the only cofactors that we need to calculate to derive a, since v is mostly empty. So a_k = �prod(i=/=k)(b(i)).prod(i>j i,j=/=k)(b(i)-b(j))/detM, where the sign is -(-1)^k. Compute f(1) by setting x=1+y, and looking at coefficient of y^n. f(1) = sum(k)(choose(b(k),n).a(k)) = (1/n!).sum(k)(b(k).(b(k)-1)...(b(k)-n+1).a(k) By the same additions as we did before: = (1/n!).sum(k)(b(k)^n.a(k)) = [ (1/n!)/detM ] * sum(k)(�(b(k)^n).prod(i=/=k)(b(i)).prod(i>j i,j=/=k)(b(i)-b(j))) = [ (1/n!)/detM ] * prod(i)(b(i)) * sum(k)(�(b(k)^(n-1).prod(i>j i,j=/=k)(b(i)-b(j))) But the second line is recognizable as detM, expressed as the sum of the products of the bottom row with its cofactors. Hence: f(1) = ===>>> prod(i)(b(i))/n! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem B-1. Inscribe a rectangle of base b and height h and an isosceles triangle of base b in a circle of radius 1 in such a way that the base of the triangle coincides with a base of the rectangle. For what value of h do the rectangle and triangle have equal areas. Area of rectangle = bh Area of triangle = �ba Where: b^2 + h^2 = 4 a = 1 + sqrt(1-b^2/4) hence a = 1 + h/2 So require: bh = �ba => 2h = 1 + h/2 => h = 2/3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem B-2. Prove that there are only a finite number of possibilities for the ordered triple T = (x-y, y-z, z-x) where x, y, and z are complex numbers satisfying the simultaneous equations x (x-1) + 2 y z = y (y-1) + 2 z x = z (z-1) + 2 x y, and list all such triples T. Answer A-2. Let a = x-y, b=y-z, c =z-x. Note a+b+c=0 x^2-y^2 + x-y + 2yz-2xz = 0 <=> (x-y).(x+y-2z+1) = 0 <=> a(b-c+1)=0 Sim b(c-a+1)=0 & c(a-b+1)=0 Assume that none of a,b or c = 0. Then b-c+1 = c-a+1 = a-c+1 = 0. Adding these together, get 3=0 contradiction. So one of them is 0, wlog a. b(c+1) = 0 & c(-b+1) = 0 Either b=c=0, or c+1=1-b=0. So, remembering the arbitrary choice of a=0, the possible ordered triples are: ===>>> (0,0,0) (0,1,-1) (1,-1,0) (-1,0,1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem B-3. Let Z[x] consist of all polynomials in x with integral coefficients. For f and g in Z[x] and m a positive integer we write "f = g (mod m)" to mean that f-g is an integral multiple of m. Let n and p be positive integers with p prime. Given that f, g, h, r, and s are in Z[x] with r f + s g = 1 (mod p), f g = h (mod p), prove there exist F and G in Z[x] with F = f (mod p), G = g (mod p), and F G = h (mod p^n). Answer B-3. Induction on n. Given h If f,g,r,s are in Z[x] with rf + sg = 1 mod p^n fg = h mod p^n show that there exist F,G,R,S with (i) F = f mod p^n (ii) G = g mod p^n (iii) RF + SG = 1 mod p^(2n) (iv) FG = h mod p^(2n) [If this can be shown, then since the initial condition are satisfied for n=1, we can show for all p^(2^m), and a fortiori, for all p^n. Say that fg = h + Cp^n rf + sg = 1 + Dp^n Define F = f -sCp^n G = g -rCp^n R = r + r(-D+2rsC)p^n S = s + s(-D+2rsC)p^n (i) & (ii) are trivially satisfied. FG = fg + (-rfC -sgC)p^n +Xp^(2n) = h + (C -rfC -sgC)p^n + Xp^(2n) = h + (C-C)p^n + (X-CD)p^(2n) = h + Yp^(2n) FR+GS = (f-sCp^n)(r+r(-D+2rsC)p^n) + (g-rCp^n)(s+s(-D+2rsC)p^n) = fr+gs +(-rsC +fr(-D+2rsC) -rsC +gs(-D+2rsC))p^n + Zp^(2n) = 1 +(D -rsC +(fr+gs)(-D+2rsC) -rsC)p^n + Zp^(2n) = 1 +(D -2rsC + (-D+2rsC))p^n + (Z-D+2rsC)p^(2n) = 1 + Wp^(2n) ===>>> So this result holds for all n. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem B-4. For a positive real number r, let G(r) be the minimum value of |r - sqrt(m^2 + 2n^2)|, for all integers m and n. Prove or disprove the assertion that lim G(r) exists and is 0 as r ---> infinity. Answer B-4. The key is to relax the right constraint. Don't try to calculate G(r) precisely (there's a lot of quadratic form material that could be dragged in here) but just serve up a crude upper bound. Let a = floor(r). Then r lies in some interval: [sqrt(a^2 + 2b^2), sqrt(a^2 + 2(b+1)^2)), where b^2 is drawn from the set {0,1,...a}. Now G(r) =< f(r) = minimum value of |r - sqrt(a^2 + 2b^2)| over all integers b. (Note, a is a function of r). f(r) =< �(sqrt(a^2 + 2(b+1)^2)-sqrt(a^2 + 2b^2)) 2b+1 = ------------------------------------- sqrt(a^2 + 2(b+1)^2)+sqrt(a^2 + 2b^2) 2b+1 < --------------- =< (b+�)/a < 2/sqrt(a) 2sqrt(a^2+2b^2) but a is O(r), so f(r) -> 0 as r -> infinity. G(r) is bounded by f(r): ===>>> as r -> infinity, lim G(r) = 0. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem B-5. Let f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + x y z. Let p(x,y,z), q(x,y,z), and r(x,y,z) be polynomials with real coefficients satisfying f(p(x,y,z), q(x,y,z), r(x,y,z)) = f(x, y, z). Prove or disprove the assertion that the sequence p, q, r consists of some permutation of (+-)x, (+-)y, (+-)z, where the number of minus signs is 0 or 2. Answer B-5. Is there a more elegant way of treating this? Let i be maximum degree of p, and let a = sum(i1+i2+i3=i)(d(i1,i2,i3)x^i1.y^i2.z^i3) Similarly, define b and c, j and k for q and r respectively. Is a^2 = 0? No, because for instance the unique term which maximizes the degree of x, and then maximizes the degree of y, cannot disappear. Similarly b^2 and c^2? Is abc = 0? No, once again, there is a unique term which maximizes the degree of x, and then maximizes the degree of y, cannot disappear. So (if we assume that i >= j>= k wlog) the highest degree is 2i or i+j+k. But the highest degree in f(x,y,z) is 3. So i+j+k=3, and 2i =< 3, so i=j=k=1. p = d(p,x)x + d(p,y)y + d(p,z)z + d(p) q = d(q,x)x + d(q,y)y + d(q,z)z + d(q) r = d(r,x)x + d(r,y)y + d(r,z)z + d(r) d(p,x)^2 + d(q,x)^2 + d(r,x)^2 = 1 d(p,x)d(q,x)d(r,x) = 0 & the same for q and r. Suppose that d(p,x)&d(q,x) are non-zero, then d(r,x) is zero. The only contributor to terms of form x^2y is d(p,x)d(q,x)d(r,y). So d(r,y) = 0. Similarly, d(r,z) would be zero. But then k=0, contradiction. So at least two of coeffs of x are zero, therefore exactly two, and wlog p = d(p,x)x + d(p) q = d(q,y)y + d(q) r = d(r,z)z + d(r) To satisfy requirements of x^2 term, d(p,x), etc = �1, with an even number being -, in order that xyz term has right sign. p = �x + d(p) q = �y + d(q) r = �z + d(r) Now, the linear terms -2d(p)=d(q)+d(r), etc => d(p)=d(q)=d(r)=d say => d=0. So, bearing in mind that the values of p,q,r can be permuted, and that any two of them can be multiplied by -1, there are ===>>> 24 solutions, being {p,q,r} = {�x,�y,�z} with 0 or 2 minus signs amongst them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem B-6. Suppose A, B, C, D are n x n matrices with entries in a field F satisfying the conditions that A T(B) and C T(D) are symmetric and A T(D) - B T(C) = I, where T denotes transpose and I is the identity matrix. Prove that T(A) D - T(C) B = I. Answer A-6. Aha! (A B) Let (C D) be a 2n x 2n matrix, built up of the smaller matrices in the obvious way. Inspired by the idea of matrix multiplication for 2 x 2 (A B) (D~ -B~) matrices, let's compute: (C D) * (-C~ A~), where ~ denotes transposition. (AD~-BC~ -AB~+BA~) (I 0) We derive (CD~-DC~ -CB~+DA~) = (0 I). This is deduced for the off-diagonal terms from the symmetry of AB~ and CD~, and for the diagonal terms from the identity of AD~-BC~ and its transpose. So by a familiar idea, we know: (D~ -B~) (A B) (I 0) (D~A-B~C D~B-B~D) (I 0) (-C~ A~) * (C D) = (0 I). We derive (A~C-C~A A~D-C~B) = (0 I), whence: as well as the bonus result: A~C and B~D are symmetric, we also have: ===>>> A~D - C~B = I ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Buchanan |