CombinatoricsDifficulty 6.6National olympiadFind the answer
Let P(x)=x2−3x−9. A real number x is chosen at random from the interval 5≤x≤15. The probability that ⌊P(x)⌋=P(⌊x⌋) is equal to ea+b+c−d, where a,b,c,d and e are positive integers and none of a,b, or c is divisible by the square of a prime. Find a+b+c+d+e.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
To solve the problem, we need to find the probability that ⌊P(x)⌋=P(⌊x⌋) for x chosen randomly from the interval 5≤x≤15. We are given P(x)=x2−3x−9.
1. Substitution and Simplification: Let's make the substitution y=2x−3. Then, we have: P(x)=4y2−45 We need to find the solutions to: ⌊4y2−45⌋=4⌊y⌋2−45 with the new bounds y∈[7,27].
2. Perfect Square Condition: Since the left side is an integer, 4⌊y⌋2−45 must be a perfect square. Let ⌊y⌋=a, then: a2−45=4b2⟹(a−2b)(a+2b)=45 We need to find pairs (a−2b,a+2b) that multiply to 45. The factor pairs of 45 are (1,45),(3,15),(5,9).
3. **Solving for a and b**: - For (a−2b,a+2b)=(1,45): a−2b=1anda+2b=45 Solving these, we get: a=23,b=11 - For (a−2b,a+2b)=(3,15): a−2b=3anda+2b=15 Solving these, we get: a=9,b=3 - For (a−2b,a+2b)=(5,9): a−2b=5anda+2b=9 Solving these, we get: a=7,b=1
4. Finding the Intervals: - For a=23: 11≤4y2−45<12⟹23≤y<621 - For a=9: 3≤4y2−45<4⟹9≤y<109 - For a=7: 1≤4y2−45<2⟹7≤y<61
5. Calculating the Total Length of Success Intervals: The total length of the interval from which we choose y is 27−7=20. The total length of the success intervals is: (61−7)+(109−9)+(621−23)=61+109+621−39
6. Probability Calculation: The probability is: 2061+109+621−39
7. Identifying Constants: Comparing with ea+b+c−d, we have: a=61,b=109,c=621,d=39,e=20
8. Summing the Constants: a+b+c+d+e=61+109+621+39+20=850
The final answer is 850.
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