Find all x satisfying the equality [x2]−[−x2]−8[x]+2=0. (Here [x] stands for the greatest integer not exceeding x.)
Solution
Answer: 3, 7, 11. Since 8[x] is an integer number, we can rewrite the initial equation as [x2−4[x]+1]−[−x2−4[x]+1]=0. Set y=x2−4[x]+1, then [y]=[−y]. It is easy to see that for y>0 we have 0≤[y]=[−y]≤−1, which is impossible. Similarly, for y<0 we have −1≥[y]=[−y]≥0. So y=0, i.e. x2−4[x]+1=0. Note that for x<1 we have [x]≤0, therefore x2−4[x]+1≥1>0. Thus x≥1. Let x=n+a, where n∈N, 0≤a<1. Then 0=x2−4[x]+1=n2+2na+a2−4n+1=n(n−4)+2na+a2≥n(n−4), so n≤4. Therefore, 1≤n≤4. If [x]=n=1, then x2−4[x]+1=x2−4+1=x2−3=0, so x=3. If [x]=n=2, then x2−4[x]+1=x2−8+1=x2−7=0, so x=7. If [x]=n=3, then x2−4[x]+1=x2−12+1=x2−11=0, so x=11. If [x]=n=4, then x2−4[x]+1=x2−16+1=x2−15=0, so x=15<4, contrary to [x]=4.
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.