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ASSIGNMENT

1. For real numbers B, M, and T we have B2 + M2 + T2 = 2002 and B + M + T = 72. Compute the sum
of the minimum and maximum possible values of T.

1 1 1
2. Let a, b and c be real numbers such that a + b + c = + + and abc = 5. The value of
a b c
3 3 3
 1  1  1 m
 a −  +  b −  +  c −  can be written in the form , where m and n are relatively prime
 b  c  a n
positive integers. Compute m + n

1( x + 1)( x − 3) 1( x + 3)( x − 5 ) 2 ( x − 5 )( x − 7 ) 53
3. Suppose + − =
3 ( x + 2 )( x − 4 ) 4 ( x + 4 )( x − 6 ) 11( x + 6 )( x − 8 ) 132
Also, suppose x  0 . Then x can be written as a + b where a, b are integers. Find a + b .

4. Compute the number of ordered triples ( a, b, c ) of integers between -100 and 100 inclusive
satisfying the simultaneous equations
a3 − 2a = abc − b − c
b3 − 2b = bca − c − a .
c3 − 2c = cab − a − b

5. Real numbers x and y satisfy the system of equations

x3 + 3x 2 = −3 y − 1
y 3 + 3 y 2 = −3x − 1
What is the greatest possible value of x ?
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Answers Key
1. (48) 2. (77) 3. (20) 4. (207) 5. ( 6 −1 )

Solutions
1. For real numbers B, M, and T we have B2 + M2 + T2 = 2002 and B + M + T = 72. Compute the sum
of the minimum and maximum possible values of T.
Ans. 48
Sol.

1 1 1
2. Let a, b and c be real numbers such that a + b + c = + + and abc = 5. The value of
a b c
3 3 3
 1  1  1 m
 a −  +  b −  +  c −  can be written in the form , where m and n are relatively prime
 b  c  a n
positive integers. Compute m + n
Ans. 77
Sol.
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1( x + 1)( x − 3) 1( x + 3)( x − 5 ) 2 ( x − 5 )( x − 7 ) 53
3. Suppose + − =
3 ( x + 2 )( x − 4 ) 4 ( x + 4 )( x − 6 ) 11( x + 6 )( x − 8 ) 132
Also, suppose x  0 . Then x can be written as a + b where a, b are integers. Find a + b .
Ans. 20
Sol.
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4. Compute the number of ordered triples ( a, b, c ) of integers between -100 and 100 inclusive
satisfying the simultaneous equations
a3 − 2a = abc − b − c
b3 − 2b = bca − c − a .
c3 − 2c = cab − a − b
Ans. 207
Sol.
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5. Real numbers x and y satisfy the system of equations

x3 + 3x 2 = −3 y − 1
y 3 + 3 y 2 = −3x − 1
What is the greatest possible value of x ?
Ans. 6 −1
Sol.