Let f be a function defined on the set of real numbers R, taking values in R and satisfying the condition f(cotx)=sin2x+cos2x for every x belonging to the open interval (0;π). Find the least and the greatest values of the function g(x)=f(x)⋅f(1−x) on the closed interval [−1;1].
Solution
We have: f(cotx)=sin2x+cos2x∀x∈(0;π) ⇔f(cotx)=cot2x+12cotx+cot2x+1cot2x−1=cot2x+1cot2x+2cotx−1∀x∈(0;π). Therefore, remarking that for every t∈R there exists x∈(0;π) such that cotx=t, we get: f(t)=t2+1t2+2t−1∀t∈R. It implies g(x)=f(x)⋅f(1−x)=x2(1−x)2−2x(1−x)+2x2(1−x)2+8x(1−x)−2∀x∈R.(∗) Put u=x(1−x). It is easy to see that when x runs through [−1;1], u runs through [−2;1/4]. So, from (*) we have: ming(x)=minh(u)andmaxg(x)=maxh(u),−1≤x≤1−2≤u≤1/4−1≤x≤1−2≤u≤1/4 where h(u)=u2−2u+2u2+8u−2. By studying the sign of h′(u)=(u2−2u+2)22(−5u2+4u+6) on [−2;1/4], we get: −2≤u≤1/4minh(u)=h((2−34)/5)=4−34, and −2≤u≤1/4maxh(u)=max{h(−2),h(1/4)}=max{−7/5,1/25}=1/25. So, on [−1;1], ming(x)=4−34, maxg(x)=1/25.
Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track
puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.
Source: MathNet,
licensed CC-BY-4.0.
Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.