IMG0 A computer is programmed to choose an integer between 1 and 99, inclusive, so that the probability that it selects the integer x is equal to log100(1+x1). Suppose that the probability that $81 ≤x≤ 99 is equal to 2 times the probability that
x = nforsomeintegern.Whatisthevalueofn?IMG1Inthediagram,△ ABDhasConBD.Also,BC=2,CD=1,ADAC=43,andcos(∠ ACD) = −53.DeterminethelengthofAB$.
Solution
The probability that the integer n is chosen is log100(1+n1).
The probability that an integer between 81 and 99, inclusive, is chosen equals the sum of the probabilities that the integers 81, 82, …, 98, 99 are selected, which equals log100(1+811)+log100(1+821)+⋯+log100(1+981)+log100(1+991) Since the second probability equals 2 times the first probability, the following equations are equivalent: log100(1+811)+log100(1+821)+⋯+log100(1+981)+log100(1+991)log100(8182)+log100(8283)+⋯+log100(9899)+log100(99100)=2log100(1+n1)=2log100(1+n1) Using logarithm laws, these equations are further equivalent to log100(8182⋅8283⋅⋯⋅9899⋅99100)log100(81100)=log100(1+n1)2=log100(1+n1)2 Since logarithm functions are invertible, we obtain $81100=(1+n1)2.Sincen>0,then1 + n1=81100=910,andson1=91,whichgivesn = 9$. Since ADAC=43, then we let AC=3t and AD=4t for some real number t>0. [[IMAGE0]] Using the cosine law in $△ ACD, the following equations are equivalent:
AD2(4t)216t280t235t2−18t−5(7t−5)(5t+1)=AC2+CD2−2⋅AC⋅CD⋅cos(∠ACD)=(3t)2+12−2(3t)(1)(−53)=9t2+1+518t=45t2+5+18t=0=0Sincet > 0,thent = 75.Thus,AC = 3t = 715. Using the cosine law in
△ ACBandnotingthatcos(∠ACB)=cos(180∘−∠ACD)=−cos(∠ACD)=53 the following equations are equivalent:
Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track
puts 2,604 problems in a working order, from Junior Challenge level to the IMO shortlist.