Maths Olympiad Prep

Library / /71 of 115

Algebra Difficulty 7.4 National olympiad, round 2 Find the answer

Let RR denote a non-negative rational number. Determine a fixed set of integers a,b,c,d,e,fa,b,c,d,e,f , such that for every choice of RR ,
aR2+bR+cdR2+eR+f23<R23\left|\frac{aR^2+bR+c}{dR^2+eR+f}-\sqrt[3]{2}\right|<|R-\sqrt[3]{2}|

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Note that when RR approaches 23\sqrt[3]{2} , aR2+bR+cdR2+eR+f\frac{aR^2+bR+c}{dR^2+eR+f} must also approach 23\sqrt[3]{2} for the given inequality to hold. Therefore
limR23aR2+bR+cdR2+eR+f=23\lim_{R\rightarrow \sqrt[3]{2}} \frac{aR^2+bR+c}{dR^2+eR+f}=\sqrt[3]{2}
which happens if and only if
a43+b23+cd43+e23+f=23\frac{a\sqrt[3]{4}+b\sqrt[3]{2}+c}{d\sqrt[3]{4}+e\sqrt[3]{2}+f}=\sqrt[3]{2}
We cross multiply to get a43+b23+c=2d+e43+f23a\sqrt[3]{4}+b\sqrt[3]{2}+c=2d+e\sqrt[3]{4}+f\sqrt[3]{2} . It's not hard to show that, since aa , bb , cc , dd , ee , and ff are integers, then a=ea=e , b=fb=f , and c=2dc=2d .
Note, however, that this is a necessary but insufficient condition. For example, we must also have a2<2bca^2<2bc to ensure the function does not have any vertical asymptotes (which would violate the desired property). A simple search shows that a=0a=0 , b=2b=2 , and c=2c=2 works.

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: Omni-MATH, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.