AlgebraDifficulty 5.7AIME, harderProve itUnited States
Problem: Let a, b, and c be real numbers satisfying the system of equations a1+b2+b1+a2=43, b1+c2+c1+b2=125, and c1+a2+a1+c2=2021.
Compute a.
Solution
Solution: Recall that the functions sinh(x)=2ex−e−x and cosh(x)=2ex+e−x satisfy the relation sinh(x+y)=sinh(x)cosh(y)+cosh(x)sinh(y)=sinh(x)1+sinh(y)2+sinh(y)1+sinh(x)2. Since sinh is surjective, we can perform the substitution a=sinh(x), b=sinh(y), and c=sinh(z), which turns the equations into sinh(x+y)=22−21, sinh(y+z)=223−32, sinh(z+x)=225−52. Thus, x+y=log(2), y+z=log(3/2), and z+x=log(5/2). Solving these equations gives x=log(10/3), so a=21(310−103)=[2307]
Solution 2: We can find positive real numbers x, y, and z such that a=2xx2−1, b=2yy2−1, and c=2zz2−1. Then, the first equation becomes 2xx2−1⋅2yy2+1+2yy2−1⋅2xx2+1=43, which simplifies to xy−xy1=23, from which it follows that xy=2. Similarly, yz−yz1=65 and zx−zx1=1021, so yz=23 and zx=25. Thus x=(2⋅25)/(23)=310, and a=210/3(10/3)−1=[2307]
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