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The orthocenter of triangle $ABC$ divides altitude $\overline{CF}$ into segments with lengths $HF = 6$ and $HC = 15.$ Calculate $\tan A \tan B.$ [asy] unitsize (1 cm); pair A, B, C, D, E, F, H; A = (0,0); B = (5,0); C = (4,4); D = (A + reflect(B,C)*(A))/2; E = (B + reflect(C,A)*(B))/2; F = (C + reflect(A,B)*(C))/2;...
Draw altitudes $\overline{BE}$ and $\overline{CF}.$ [asy] unitsize (1 cm); pair A, B, C, D, E, F, H; A = (0,0); B = (5,0); C = (4,4); D = (A + reflect(B,C)*(A))/2; E = (B + reflect(C,A)*(B))/2; F = (C + reflect(A,B)*(C))/2; H = extension(A,D,B,E); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(A--D); draw(B--E); draw(C--F); label("$A...
Let $\mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} 7 \\ 4 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\mathbf{c} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}.$ Find the vector $\mathbf{b}$ such that $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ and $\mathbf{c}$ are collinear, and $\mathbf{b}$ bisects the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{c}.$ [asy] unitsize(0.5 cm)...
The line through $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{c}$ can be parameterized by \[\begin{pmatrix} 7 - 9t \\ -4 + 3t \\ -4 + 6t \end{pmatrix}.\]Then $\mathbf{b}$ is of this form. Furthermore, the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ is equal to the angle between $\mathbf{b}$ and $\mathbf{c}.$ Hence, \[\frac{\mathbf{a} \...
Let $\mathbf{p}$ and $\mathbf{q}$ be two threedimensional unit vectors such that the angle between them is $30^\circ.$ Find the area of the parallelogram whose diagonals correspond to $\mathbf{p} + 2 \mathbf{q}$ and $2 \mathbf{p} + \mathbf{q}.$
Suppose that vectors $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ generate the parallelogram. Then the vectors corresponding to the diagonals are $\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}$ and $\mathbf{b} - \mathbf{a}.$ [asy] unitsize(0.4 cm); pair A, B, C, D, trans; A = (0,0); B = (7,2); C = (1,3); D = B + C; trans = (10,0); draw(B--D--C); draw...
Compute the number of real solutions $(x,y,z,w)$ to the system of equations: \begin{align*} x &= z+w+zwx, \\ y &= w+x+wxy, \\ z &= x+y+xyz, \\ w &= y+z+yzw. \end{align*}
We can re-write the first equation as \[x = \frac{w+z}{1-wz}.\]which is an indication to consider trigonometric substitution. Let $x = \tan a,$ $y = \tan b,$ $z = \tan c,$ and $w = \tan d,$ where $-90^{\circ} < a,$ $b,$ $c,$ $d < 90^{\circ}$. Then \[\tan a = \frac{\tan d + \tan c}{1 - \tan d \tan c} = \tan (c + d).\]...
Find all values of $a$ for which the points $(0,0,0),$ $(1,a,0),$ $(0,1,a),$ and $(a,0,1)$ are coplanar.
If the points $(0,0,0),$ $(1,a,0),$ $(0,1,a),$ and $(a,0,1)$ are coplanar, then the parallelepiped generated by the corresponding vectors $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ a \\ 0 \end{pmatrix},$ $\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \\ a \end{pmatrix},$ and $\begin{pmatrix} a \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ has a volume of 0. Thus, \[\begin{vmatrix} ...
There is an angle $\theta$ in the range $0^\circ < \theta < 45^\circ$ which satisfies \[\tan \theta + \tan 2 \theta + \tan 3 \theta = 0.\]Calculate $\tan \theta$ for this angle.
Let $t = \tan \theta.$ Then $\tan 2 \theta = \frac{2t}{1 - t^2}$ and $\tan 3 \theta = \frac{3t - t^3}{1 - 3t^2},$ so \[t + \frac{2t}{1 - t^2} + \frac{3t - t^3}{1 - 3t^2} = 0.\]This simplifies to $4t^5 - 14t^3 + 6t = 0.$ This factors as $2t(2t^2 - 1)(t^2 - 3) = 0.$ Since $0^\circ < \theta < 45^\circ,$ $0 < t < 1.$ T...
When every vector on the line $y = \frac{5}{2} x + 4$ is projected onto a certain vector $\mathbf{w},$ the result is always the vector $\mathbf{p}.$ Find the vector $\mathbf{p}.$
Let $\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \end{pmatrix}$ be a vector on the line $y = \frac{5}{2} x + 4,$ so $b = \frac{5}{2} a + 4.$ Let $\mathbf{w} = \begin{pmatrix} c \\ d \end{pmatrix}.$ Then the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto $\mathbf{w}$ is \begin{align*} \operatorname{proj}_{\mathbf{w}} \mathbf{v} &= \frac{\ma...
Find the maximum $y$coordinate of a point on the graph of $r = \sin 2 \theta.$
For $r = \sin 2 \theta,$ \begin{align*} y &= r \sin \theta \\ &= \sin 2 \theta \sin \theta \\ &= 2 \sin^2 \theta \cos \theta \\ &= 2 (1 - \cos^2 \theta) \cos \theta. \end{align*}Let $k = \cos \theta.$ Then $y = 2 (1 - k^2) k,$ and \[y^2 = 4k^2 (1 - k^2)^2 = 4k^2 (1 - k^2)(1 - k^2).\]By AM-GM, \[2k^2 (1 - k^2)(1 - k^2)...
coordinate space, a particle starts at the point $(2,3,4)$ and ends at the point $(1,3,3),$ along the line connecting the two points. Along the way, the particle intersects the unit sphere centered at the origin at two points. Then the distance between these two points can be expressed in the form $\frac{a}{\sqrt{b}}...
The line can be parameterized by \[\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + t \left( \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -3 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} \right) = \begin{pmatrix} 2 - 3t \\ 3 - 6t \\ 4 - 7t \end{pmatrix}.\]Then the particle intersects the sphere when \[(2 - 3t)^2 + (3 - 6t)^2 + (...
Points $A,$ $B,$ $C,$ and $D$ are equally spaced along a line such that $AB = BC = CD.$ A point $P$ is located so that $\cos \angle APC = \frac{4}{5}$ and $\cos \angle BPD = \frac{3}{5}.$ Determine $\sin (2 \angle BPC).$
Let $a = AP,$ $b = BP,$ $c = CP,$ and $d = DP.$ Let $\alpha = \angle APC,$ $\beta = \angle BPD,$ $\gamma = \angle BPC,$ and $\delta = \angle APD.$ Then $\cos \alpha = \frac{4}{5}$ and $\cos \beta = \frac{3}{5}.$ Since \[\cos^2 \alpha + \cos^2 \beta = 1,\]and $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are acute, these angles must satisfy ...
The set of points $(x,y,z)$ that are equidistant to $(1,2,5)$ and point $P$ satisfy an equation of the form \[10x 4y + 24z = 55.\]Find the point $P.$
Let $P = (a,b,c).$ If the point $(x,y,z)$ is equidistant to $(1,2,-5)$ and $(a,b,c),$ then \[(x - 1)^2 + (y - 2)^2 + (z + 5)^2 = (x - a)^2 + (y - b)^2 + (z - c)^2.\]Expanding, we get \[x^2 - 2x + 1 + y^2 - 4y + 4 + z^2 + 10z + 25 = x^2 - 2ax + a^2 + y^2 - 2by + b^2 + z^2 - 2cz + c^2,\]which simplifies to \[(2a - 2) x ...
Among all triangles $ABC,$ find the maximum value of $\sin A + \sin B \sin C.$
We can write \begin{align*} \sin B \sin C &= \frac{1}{2} (\cos (B - C) - \cos (B + C)) \\ &= \frac{1}{2} (\cos (B - C) - \cos (180^\circ - A)) \\ &= \frac{1}{2} (\cos (B - C) + \cos A). \end{align*}Then \begin{align*} \sin A + \sin B \sin C &= \sin A + \frac{1}{2} \cos A + \frac{1}{2} \cos (B - C) \\ &= \frac{\sqrt{5}}...
triangle $ABC$, $AB = 13$, $BC = 15$, and $CA = 14$. Point $D$ is on $\overline{BC}$ with $CD = 6$. Point $E$ is on $\overline{BC}$ such that $\angle BAE = \angle CAD$. Find $BE.$
Let $\alpha = \angle BAE= \angle CAD$, and let $\beta=\angle EAD$. Then $${{BD}\over{DC}}= {{[ABD]}\over{[ADC]}} ={{\frac{1}{2} \cdot AB\cdot AD\sin \angle BAD}\over{\frac{1}{2} \cdot AD\cdot AC\sin \angle CAD}} ={{AB}\over{AC}}\cdot{{\sin(\alpha+\beta)}\over{\sin\alpha}}.$$Similarly, $${{BE}\over{EC}}={{AB}\over{AC}}...
Let $x = \cos \frac{2 \pi}{7} + i \sin \frac{2 \pi}{7}.$ Compute the value of \[(2x + x^2)(2x^2 + x^4)(2x^3 + x^6)(2x^4 + x^8)(2x^5 + x^{10})(2x^6 + x^{12}).\]
Note that $x^7 = \cos 2 \pi + i \sin 2 \pi = 1,$ so $x^7 - 1 = 0,$ which factors as \[(x - 1)(x^6 + x^5 + x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1) = 0.\]Since $x \neq 1,$ \[x^6 + x^5 + x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1 = 0.\]Then \begin{align*} (2x + x^2)(2x^6 + x^{12}) &= 4x^7 + 2x^8 + 2x^{13} + x^{14} = 4 + 2x + 2x^6 + 1 = 5 + 2x + 2x^6, \\ (...
A regular hexagon with center at the origin in the complex plane has opposite pairs of sides one unit apart. One pair of sides is parallel to the imaginary axis. Let $R$ be the region outside the hexagon, and let $S = \left\lbrace\frac{1}{z} \ | \ z \in R\right\rbrace$. Find the area of $S.$
We can compute that the side length of the hexagon is $\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}.$ Then one side of the hexagon is parameterized by \[\frac{1}{2} + ti,\]where $-\frac{1}{2 \sqrt{3}} \le t \le \frac{1}{2 \sqrt{3}}.$ [asy] unitsize (4 cm); pair A, B, C, D, E, F; A = 1/sqrt(3)*dir(30); B = 1/sqrt(3)*dir(30 - 60); C = 1/sqrt(...
The sides of an isosceles triangle are $\cos x,$ $\cos x,$ and $\cos 7x,$ and its vertex angle is $2x.$ (All angle measurements are in degrees.) Enter all possible values of $x,$ separated by commas.
Note that angle $x$ must be acute. If we drop an altitude from the vertex of the isosceles triangle, then we obtain two right triangles, where one of the angles is $x,$ the opposite side is $\frac{\cos 7x}{2},$ and the hypotenuse is $\cos x.$ Hence, \[\sin x = \frac{\frac{\cos 7x}{2}}{\cos x} = \frac{\cos 7x}{2 \cos ...
Find the ordered pair $(a,b)$ of integers such that \[\sqrt{9 8 \sin 50^\circ} = a + b \csc 50^\circ.\]
We write \[9 - 8 \sin 50^\circ = \frac{9 \sin^2 50^\circ - 8 \sin^3 50^\circ}{\sin^2 50^\circ} = \frac{9 \sin^2 50^\circ - 6 \sin 50^\circ + 6 \sin 50^\circ - 8 \sin^3 50^\circ}{\sin^2 50^\circ}.\]By the triple angle identity, \begin{align*} 6 \sin 50^\circ - 8 \sin^3 50^\circ &= 2 \sin (3 \cdot 50^\circ) \\ &= 2 \sin ...
For some complex number $\omega$ with $|\omega| = 2,$ there is some real $\lambda > 1$ such that $\omega,$ $\omega^2,$ and $\lambda \omega$ form an equilateral triangle in the complex plane. Find $\lambda.$
Note that $\omega,$ $\omega^2,$ and $\lambda \omega$ form an equilateral triangle if and only if 1, $\omega,$ and $\lambda$ form an equilateral triangle. Given 1 and $\lambda > 1,$ there are two complex numbers $\omega$ such that 1, $\omega,$ and $\lambda$ form an equilateral triangle. Both complex numbers $\omega$ h...
Let $x$ and $y$ be real numbers such that \[\frac{\sin x}{\cos y} + \frac{\sin y}{\cos x} = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{\cos x}{\sin y} + \frac{\cos y}{\sin x} = 6.\]Compute \[\frac{\tan x}{\tan y} + \frac{\tan y}{\tan x}.\]
Let us refer to the two given equations as equations (1) and (2), respectively. We can write them as \[\frac{\sin x \cos x + \sin y \cos y}{\cos y \cos x} = 1\]and \[\frac{\cos x \sin x + \cos y \sin y}{\sin y \sin x} = 6.\]Dividing these equations, we get $\frac{\sin x \sin y}{\cos x \cos y} = \frac{1}{6},$ so \[\tan...
Find the sum of the values of $x$ such that $\cos^3 3x+ \cos^3 5x = 8 \cos^3 4x \cos^3 x$, where $x$ is measured in degrees and $100< x< 200.$
Observe that $2\cos 4x\cos x = \cos 5x + \cos 3x$ by the sum-to-product formulas. Defining $a = \cos 3x$ and $b = \cos 5x$, we have $a^3 + b^3 = (a+b)^3 \rightarrow ab(a+b) = 0$. But $a+b = 2\cos 4x\cos x$, so we require $\cos x = 0$, $\cos 3x = 0$, $\cos 4x = 0$, or $\cos 5x = 0$. Hence we see by careful analysis of t...
Find the point in the $xz$plane that is equidistant from the points $(1,1,0),$ $(2,1,2),$ and $(3,2,1).$
Since the point lies in the $xz$-plane, it is of the form $(x,0,z).$ We want this point to be equidistant to the points $(1,-1,0),$ $(2,1,2),$ and $(3,2,-1),$ which gives us the equations \begin{align*} (x - 1)^2 + 1^2 + z^2 &= (x - 2)^2 + 1^2 + (z - 2)^2, \\ (x - 1)^2 + 1^2 + z^2 &= (x - 3)^2 + 2^2 + (z + 1)^2. \end{...
f \[\frac{\sin^4 \theta}{a} + \frac{\cos^4 \theta}{b} = \frac{1}{a + b},\]then find the value of \[\frac{\sin^8 \theta}{a^3} + \frac{\cos^8 \theta}{b^3}\]in terms of $a$ and $b.$
Let $x = \sin^2 \theta$ and $y = \cos^2 \theta,$ so $x + y = 1.$ Also, \[\frac{x^2}{a} + \frac{y^2}{b} = \frac{1}{a + b}.\]Substituting $y = 1 - x,$ we get \[\frac{x^2}{a} + \frac{(1 - x)^2}{b} = \frac{1}{a + b}.\]This simplifies to \[(a^2 + 2ab + b^2) x^2 - (2a^2 + 2ab) x + a^2 = 0,\]which nicely factors as $((a + b)...
The function \[f(z) = \frac{(1 + i \sqrt{3}) z + (2 \sqrt{3} 18i)}{2}\]represents a rotation around some complex number $c$. Find $c$.
Since a rotation around $c$ fixes $c$, the complex number $c$ must satisfy $f(c) = c$. In other words, \[c = \frac{(-1 + i \sqrt{3}) c + (-2 \sqrt{3} - 18i)}{2}\]Then $2c = (-1 + i \sqrt{3}) c + (-2 \sqrt{3} - 18i)$, so \[(3 - i \sqrt{3}) c = -2 \sqrt{3} - 18i.\]Then \begin{align*} c &= \frac{-2 \sqrt{3} - 18i}{3 - i ...
Among all the roots of \[z^8 z^6 + z^4 z^2 + 1 = 0,\]the maximum imaginary part of a root can be expressed as $\sin \theta,$ where $90^\circ \le \theta \le 90^\circ.$ Find $\theta.$
If $z^8 - z^6 + z^4 - z^2 + 1 = 0,$ then \[(z^2 + 1)(z^8 - z^6 + z^4 - z^2 + 1) = z^{10} + 1 = 0.\]So $z^{10} = -1 = \operatorname{cis} 180^\circ,$ which means \[z = 18^\circ + \frac{360^\circ \cdot k}{10} = 18^\circ + 36^\circ \cdot k\]for some integer $k.$ Furthermore, $z^2 \neq -1.$ Thus, the roots $z$ are graphed...
triangle $ABC,$ $\angle C = \frac{\pi}{2}.$ Find \[\arctan \left( \frac{a}{b + c} \right) + \arctan \left( \frac{b}{a + c} \right).\]
From the addition formula for tangent, \begin{align*} \tan \left( \arctan \left( \frac{a}{b + c} \right) + \arctan \left( \frac{b}{a + c} \right) \right) &= \frac{\frac{a}{b + c} + \frac{b}{a + c}}{1 - \frac{a}{b + c} \cdot \frac{b}{a + c}} \\ &= \frac{a(a + c) + b(b + c)}{(a + c)(b + c) - ab} \\ &= \frac{a^2 + ac + b^...
The vectors $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ and $\mathbf{c}$ satisfy $\|\mathbf{a}\| = \|\mathbf{b}\| = 1,$ $\|\mathbf{c}\| = 2,$ and \[\mathbf{a} \times (\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{c}) + \mathbf{b} = \mathbf{0}.\]If $\theta$ is the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{c},$ then find all possible values of $\theta,$ in d...
Solution 1. By the vector triple product, $\mathbf{u} \times (\mathbf{v} \times \mathbf{w}) = (\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{w}) \mathbf{v} - (\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}) \mathbf{w},$ so \[(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c}) \mathbf{a} - (\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{a}) \mathbf{c} + \mathbf{b} = \mathbf{0}.\]Since $\mathbf{a} \cdot...
Find all angles $\theta,$ $0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi,$ with the following property: For all real numbers $x,$ $0 \le x \le 1,$ \[x^2 \cos \theta x(1 x) + (1 x)^2 \sin \theta > 0.\]
Taking $x = 0,$ we get $\sin \theta > 0.$ Taking $x = 1,$ we get $\cos \theta > 0.$ Hence, $0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}.$ Then we can write \begin{align*} &x^2 \cos \theta - x(1 - x) + (1 - x)^2 \sin \theta \\ &= x^2 \cos \theta - 2x (1 - x) \sqrt{\cos \theta \sin \theta} + (1 - x)^2 \sin \theta + 2x (1 - x) \sqrt{\c...
Let $\mathbf{p}$ be the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto $\mathbf{w},$ and let $\mathbf{q}$ be the projection of $\mathbf{p}$ onto $\mathbf{v}.$ If $\frac{\|\mathbf{p}\|}{\|\mathbf{v}\|} = \frac{5}{7},$ then find $\frac{\|\mathbf{q}\|}{\|\mathbf{v}\|}.$
Let $O$ be the origin, and let $P,$ $Q,$ $V$ be the points corresponding to vectors $\mathbf{p},$ $\mathbf{q},$ and $\mathbf{v},$ respectively. Then $\frac{OP}{OV} = \frac{5}{7}.$ [asy] import olympiad; unitsize (0.5 cm); pair O, P, Q, V; O = (0,0); P = (5,0); V = (5,8); Q = (P + reflect(O,V)*(P))/2; draw(O--P--V-...
Find the projection of the vector $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 4 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ onto the line \[2x = 3y = z.\]
We can write the equation of the line as \[\frac{x}{3} = \frac{y}{-2} = \frac{z}{6}.\]Thus, the direction vector of the line is $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -2 \\ 6 \end{pmatrix}.$ The projection of $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -4 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}$ onto the line is then \[\frac{\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -4 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \...
Let $a$ and $b$ be angles such that \[\cos (a + b) = \cos a + \cos b.\]Find the maximum value of $\cos a.$
From $\cos (a + b) = \cos a + \cos b,$ $\cos a = \cos (a + b) - \cos b.$ Then from sum-to-product, \[\cos (a + b) - \cos b = -2 \sin \frac{a + 2b}{2} \sin \frac{a}{2}.\]Let $k = \sin \frac{a + 2b}{2},$ so \[\cos a = -2k \sin \frac{a}{2}.\]Then \[\cos^2 a = 4k^2 \sin^2 \frac{a}{2} = 4k^2 \cdot \frac{1}{2} (1 - \cos a) ...
Find the number of complex numbers $z$ satisfying $|z| = 1$ and \[\left| \frac{z}{\overline{z}} + \frac{\overline{z}}{z} \right| = 1.\]
Since $|z| = 1,$ $z = e^{i \theta}$ for some angle $\theta.$ Then \begin{align*} \left| \frac{z}{\overline{z}} + \frac{\overline{z}}{z} \right| &= \left| \frac{e^{i \theta}}{e^{-i \theta}} + \frac{e^{-i \theta}}{e^{i \theta}} \right| \\ &= |e^{2i \theta} + e^{-2i \theta}| \\ &= |\cos 2 \theta + i \sin 2 \theta + \cos ...
Compute \[\sin^2 4^\circ + \sin^2 8^\circ + \sin^2 12^\circ + \dots + \sin^2 176^\circ.\]
From the double-angle formula, \[\sin^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2}.\]Then the sum becomes \begin{align*} &\frac{1 - \cos 8^\circ}{2} + \frac{1 - \cos 16^\circ}{2} + \frac{1 - \cos 24^\circ}{2} + \dots + \frac{1 - \cos 352^\circ}{2} \\ &= 22 - \frac{1}{2} (\cos 8^\circ + \cos 16^\circ + \cos 24^\circ + \dots + \cos 352^\...
Let $H$ be the orthocenter of triangle $ABC.$ For all points $P$ on the circumcircle of triangle $ABC,$ \[PA^2 + PB^2 + PC^2 PH^2\]is a constant. Express this constant in terms of the side lengths $a,$ $b,$ $c$ and circumradius $R$ of triangle $ABC.$
Let the circumcenter $O$ of triangle $ABC$ be the origin, so $\|\overrightarrow{P}\| = R.$ Also, $\overrightarrow{H} = \overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{C}.$ Then \begin{align*} PA^2 &= \|\overrightarrow{P} - \overrightarrow{A}\|^2 \\ &= (\overrightarrow{P} - \overrightarrow{A}) \cdot (\overri...
Compute \[\frac{1}{2^{1990}} \sum_{n = 0}^{995} (3)^n \binom{1990}{2n}.\]
By the Binomial Theorem, \begin{align*} (1 + i \sqrt{3})^{1990} &= \binom{1990}{0} + \binom{1990}{1} (i \sqrt{3}) + \binom{1990}{2} (i \sqrt{3})^2 + \binom{1990}{3} (i \sqrt{3})^3 + \binom{1990}{4} (i \sqrt{3})^4 + \dots + \binom{1990}{1990} (i \sqrt{3})^{1990} \\ &= \binom{1990}{0} + i \binom{1990}{1} \sqrt{3} - 3 \bi...
The volume of the parallelepiped determined by the threedimensional vectors $\mathbf{a}$, $\mathbf{b}$, and $\mathbf{c}$ is 4. Find the volume of the parallelepiped determined by the vectors $\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b},$ $\mathbf{b} + 3 \mathbf{c},$ and $\mathbf{c} 7 \mathbf{a}.$
From the given information, $|\mathbf{a} \cdot (\mathbf{b} \times \mathbf{c})| = 4.$ We want to compute \[|(\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}) \cdot ((\mathbf{b} + 3\mathbf{c}) \times (\mathbf{c} - 7 \mathbf{a}))|.\]Expanding the cross product, we get \begin{align*} (\mathbf{b} + 3\mathbf{c}) \times (\mathbf{c} - 7 \mathbf{a}...
Find the number of solutions to the equation \[\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta) = \cot (5 \pi \sin \theta)\]where $\theta \in (0, 2 \pi).$
From the given equation, \[\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta) = \frac{1}{\tan (5 \pi \sin \theta)},\]so $\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta) \tan (5 \pi \sin \theta) = 1.$ Then from the angle addition formula, \begin{align*} \cot (5 \pi \cos \theta + 5 \pi \sin \theta) &= \frac{1}{\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta + 5 \pi \sin \theta)} \\ &= \frac{...
Let $P$ be the plane passing through the origin with normal vector $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.$ Find the matrix $\mathbf{P}$ such that for any vector $\mathbf{v},$ $\mathbf{P} \mathbf{v}$ is the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto plane $P.$
Let $\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix},$ and let $\mathbf{p}$ be the projection of $\mathbf{p}$ onto plane $P.$ Then $\mathbf{v} - \mathbf{p}$ is the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto the normal vector $\mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.$ [asy] import three; size(160); curren...
Given quadrilateral $ABCD,$ side $\overline{AB}$ is extended past $B$ to $A'$ so that $A'B = AB.$ Points $B',$ $C',$ and $D'$ are similarly constructed. [asy] unitsize(1 cm); pair[] A, B, C, D; A[0] = (0,0); B[0] = (2,0); C[0] = (1.5,2); D[0] = (0.2,1.5); A[1] = 2*B[0] A[0]; B[1] = 2*C[0] B[0]; C[1] = 2*D[0] C[0...
Since $B$ is the midpoint of $\overline{AA'},$ \[\overrightarrow{B} = \frac{1}{2} \overrightarrow{A} + \frac{1}{2} \overrightarrow{A'}.\]Since $C$ is the midpoint of $\overline{BB'},$ \begin{align*} \overrightarrow{C} &= \frac{1}{2} \overrightarrow{B} + \frac{1}{2} \overrightarrow{B'} \\ &= \frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{1}{...
Given that $\log_{10} \sin x + \log_{10} \cos x = 1$ and that $\log_{10} (\sin x + \cos x) = \frac{1}{2} (\log_{10} n 1),$ find $n.$
Using the properties of logarithms, we can simplify the first equation to $\log_{10} \sin x + \log_{10} \cos x = \log_{10}(\sin x \cos x) = -1$. Therefore,\[\sin x \cos x = \frac{1}{10}.\qquad (*)\] Now, manipulate the second equation.\begin{align*} \log_{10} (\sin x + \cos x) &= \frac{1}{2}(\log_{10} n - \log_{10} 10)...
The number \[e^{7\pi i/60} + e^{17\pi i/60} + e^{27 \pi i/60} + e^{37\pi i /60} + e^{47 \pi i /60}\]is expressed in the form $r e^{i \theta}$, where $0 \le \theta < 2\pi$. Find $\theta$.
Let's locate these numbers in the complex plane before adding them. Since $e^{i \theta}$ is the terminal point for angle $\theta$ on the unit circle, here are the numbers: [asy] size(200); import TrigMacros; rr_cartesian_axes(-2,2,-1,3,complexplane=true, usegrid = false); pair O = (0,0); pair[] Z; for (int i = 0; i ...
Let \[\mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} a & b & c \\ b & c & a \\ c & a & b \end{pmatrix}\]be a matrix with complex entries such that $\mathbf{M}^2 = \mathbf{I}.$ If $abc = 1,$ then find the possible values of $a^3 + b^3 + c^3.$
We find that \[\mathbf{M}^2 = \begin{pmatrix} a & b & c \\ b & c & a \\ c & a & b \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} a & b & c \\ b & c & a \\ c & a & b \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} a^2 + b^2 + c^2 & ab + ac + bc & ab + ac + bc \\ ab + ac + bc & a^2 + b^2 + c^2 & ab + ac + bc \\ ab + ac + bc & ab + ac + bc & a^2 + b^2 +...
Triangles $ABC$ and $AEF$ are such that $B$ is the midpoint of $\overline{EF}.$ Also, $AB = EF = 1,$ $BC = 6,$ $CA = \sqrt{33},$ and \[\overrightarrow{AB} \cdot \overrightarrow{AE} + \overrightarrow{AC} \cdot \overrightarrow{AF} = 2.\]Find the cosine of the angle between vectors $\overrightarrow{EF}$ and $\overrightar...
We can write \begin{align*} 2 &= \overrightarrow{AB} \cdot \overrightarrow{AE} + \overrightarrow{AC} \cdot \overrightarrow{AF} \\ &= \overrightarrow{AB} \cdot (\overrightarrow{AB} + \overrightarrow{BE}) + \overrightarrow{AC} \cdot (\overrightarrow{AB} + \overrightarrow{BF}) \\ &= \overrightarrow{AB} \cdot \overrightarr...
The perpendicular bisectors of the sides of triangle $ABC$ meet its circumcircle at points $A',$ $B',$ and $C',$ as shown. If the perimeter of triangle $ABC$ is 35 and the radius of the circumcircle is 8, then find the area of hexagon $AB'CA'BC'.$ [asy] unitsize(2 cm); pair A, B, C, Ap, Bp, Cp, O; O = (0,0); A = di...
Note that the perpendicular bisectors meet at $O,$ the circumcenter of triangle $ABC.$ [asy] unitsize(2 cm); pair A, B, C, Ap, Bp, Cp, O; O = (0,0); A = dir(210); B = dir(60); C = dir(330); Ap = dir(15); Bp = dir(270); Cp = dir(135); draw(Circle(O,1)); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(O--Ap); draw(O--Bp); draw(O--Cp); dr...
f $a_0 = \sin^2 \left( \frac{\pi}{45} \right)$ and \[a_{n + 1} = 4a_n (1 a_n)\]for $n \ge 0,$ find the smallest positive integer $n$ such that $a_n = a_0.$
Suppose $a_n = \sin^2 x.$ Then \begin{align*} a_{n + 1} &= 4a_n (1 - a_n) \\ &= 4 \sin^2 x (1 - \sin^2 x) \\ &= 4 \sin^2 x \cos^2 x \\ &= (2 \sin x \cos x)^2 \\ &= \sin^2 2x. \end{align*}It follows that \[a_n = \sin^2 \left( \frac{2^n \pi}{45} \right)\]for all $n \ge 0.$ We want to find the smallest $n$ so that $a_n ...
A triangle has side lengths 7, 8, and 9. There are exactly two lines that simultaneously bisect the perimeter and area of the triangle. Let $\theta$ be the acute angle between these two lines. Find $\tan \theta.$ [asy] unitsize(0.5 cm); pair A, B, C, P, Q, R, S, X; B = (0,0); C = (8,0); A = intersectionpoint(arc(...
Let the triangle be $ABC,$ where $AB = 7,$ $BC = 8,$ and $AC = 9.$ Let the two lines be $PQ$ and $RS,$ as shown below. [asy] unitsize(0.6 cm); pair A, B, C, P, Q, R, S, X; B = (0,0); C = (8,0); A = intersectionpoint(arc(B,7,0,180),arc(C,9,0,180)); P = interp(A,B,(12 - 3*sqrt(2))/2/7); Q = interp(A,C,(12 + 3*sqrt(2)...
Compute \[\cos^6 0^\circ + \cos^6 1^\circ + \cos^6 2^\circ + \dots + \cos^6 90^\circ.\]
Let $S = \cos^6 0^\circ + \cos^6 1^\circ + \cos^6 2^\circ + \dots + \cos^6 90^\circ.$ Then \begin{align*} S &= \cos^6 0^\circ + \cos^6 1^\circ + \cos^6 2^\circ + \dots + \cos^6 90^\circ \\ &= \cos^6 90^\circ + \cos^6 89^\circ + \cos^6 88^\circ + \dots + \cos^6 0^\circ \\ &= \sin^6 0^\circ + \sin^6 1^\circ + \sin^6 2^\...
Let $x=\frac{\sum\limits_{n=1}^{44} \cos n^\circ}{\sum\limits_{n=1}^{44} \sin n^\circ}$. What is the greatest integer that does not exceed $100x$?
Note that $\frac{\sum_{n=1}^{44} \cos n}{\sum_{n=1}^{44} \sin n} = \frac {\cos 1 + \cos 2 + \dots + \cos 44}{\cos 89 + \cos 88 + \dots + \cos 46}$ Now use the sum-product formula $\cos x + \cos y = 2\cos(\frac{x+y}{2})\cos(\frac{x-y}{2})$ We want to pair up $[1, 44]$, $[2, 43]$, $[3, 42]$, etc. from the numerator and $...
Define the sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ by $a_n = \sum\limits_{k=1}^n \sin{k}$, where $k$ represents radian measure. Find the index of the 100th term for which $a_n < 0$.
By the product-to-sum formula, \[\sin \frac{1}{2} \sin k = \frac{1}{2} \left[ \cos \left( k - \frac{1}{2} \right) - \cos \left( k + \frac{1}{2} \right) \right].\]Thus, we can make the sum in the problem telescope: \begin{align*} a_n &= \sum_{k = 1}^n \sin k \\ &= \sum_{k = 1}^n \frac{\sin \frac{1}{2} \sin k}{\sin \frac...
Find the volume of the region given by the inequality \[|x + y + z| + |x + y z| + |x y + z| + |x + y + z| \le 4.\]
Let \[f(x,y,z) = |x + y + z| + |x + y - z| + |x - y + z| + |-x + y + z|.\]Note that \begin{align*} f(-x,y,z) &= |-x + y + z| + |-x + y - z| + |-x - y + z| + |x + y + z| \\ &= |-x + y + z| + |x - y + z| + |x + y - z| + |x + y + z| \\ &= f(x,y,z). \end{align*}Similarly, we can prove that $f(x,-y,z) = f(x,y,-z) = f(x,y,z)...
There exist constants $a_1,$ $a_2,$ $a_3,$ $a_4,$ $a_5$ such that \[\cos^5 \theta = a_1 \cos \theta + a_2 \cos 2 \theta + a_3 \cos 3 \theta + a_4 \cos 4 \theta + a_5 \cos 5 \theta\]for all angles $\theta.$ Find $a_1^2 + a_2^2 + a_3^2 + a_4^2 + a_5^2.$
We know that \[e^{i \theta} = \cos \theta + i \sin \theta.\]Then \[e^{-i \theta} = \cos (-\theta) + i \sin (-\theta) = \cos \theta - i \sin \theta.\]Adding these and dividing by 2, we get \[\cos \theta = \frac{e^{i \theta} + e^{-i \theta}}{2}.\]Then \begin{align*} \cos^5 \theta &= \frac{1}{32} (e^{i \theta} + e^{-i \th...
Let $z_1,$ $z_2,$ $\dots,$ $z_{20}$ be the twenty (complex) roots of the equation \[z^{20} 4z^{19} + 9z^{18} 16z^{17} + \dots + 441 = 0.\]Calculate $\cot \left( \sum_{k = 1}^{20} \operatorname{arccot} z_k \right).$ Note that the addition formula for cotangent is still valid when working with complex numbers.
We start with the addition formula for tangent: \[\tan (a + b) = \frac{\tan a + \tan b}{1 - \tan a \tan b}.\]Then \begin{align*} \cot (a + b) &= \frac{1}{\tan (a + b)} \\ &= \frac{1 - \tan a \tan b}{\tan a + \tan b} \\ &= \frac{\frac{1}{\tan a \tan b} - 1}{\frac{1}{\tan a} + \frac{1}{\tan b}} \\ &= \frac{\cot a \cot b ...
Given that $(1+\sin t)(1+\cos t)=5/4$ and $(1\sin t)(1\cos t)=\frac mn\sqrt{k},$ where $k, m,$ and $n$ are positive integers with $m$ and $n$ relatively prime, find $k+m+n.$
From the givens, $2\sin t \cos t + 2 \sin t + 2 \cos t = \frac{1}{2}$, and adding $\sin^2 t + \cos^2t = 1$ to both sides gives $(\sin t + \cos t)^2 + 2(\sin t + \cos t) = \frac{3}{2}$. Completing the square on the left in the variable $(\sin t + \cos t)$ gives $\sin t + \cos t = -1 \pm \sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}$. Since $|\sin...
Compute the smallest positive value of $x,$ in degrees, for which the function \[f(x) = \sin \frac{x}{3} + \sin \frac{x}{11}\]achieves its maximum value.
The function $f(x) = \sin \frac{x}{3} + \sin \frac{x}{11}$ achieves its maximum value when $\sin \frac{x}{3} = \sin \frac{x}{11} = 1,$ which means $\frac{x}{3} = 360^\circ a + 90^\circ$ and $\frac{x}{11} = 360^\circ b + 90^\circ$ for some integers $a$ and $b.$ Then \[x = 1080^\circ a + 270^\circ = 3960^\circ b + 990^\...
One line is described by \[\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ k \end{pmatrix}.\]Another line is described by \[\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 4 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix} + u \begin{pmatrix} k \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.\]If the lines are coplanar (i.e. there is a plane that contains both lines), then f...
The direction vectors of the lines are $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ -k \end{pmatrix}$ and $\begin{pmatrix} k \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.$ Suppose these vectors are proportional. Then comparing $y$-coordinates, we can get the second vector by multiplying the first vector by 2. But then $2 = k$ and $-2k = 1,$ which is not ...
Let $S$ be the set of all real values of $x$ with $0 < x < \frac{\pi}{2}$ such that $\sin x$, $\cos x$, and $\tan x$ form the side lengths (in some order) of a right triangle. Compute the sum of $\tan^2 x$ over all $x$ in $S$.
Since $\sin x < \tan x$ for $0 < x < \frac{\pi}{2},$ the hypotenuse of the right triangle can only be $\cos x$ or $\tan x.$ If $\tan x$ is the hypotenuse, then \[\tan^2 x = \sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1.\]If $\cos x$ is the hypotenuse, then \[\cos^2 x = \tan^2 x + \sin^2 x.\]Then \[\cos^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos^2 x}{\cos^2 x} +...
Find the range of the function \[f(x) = \frac{\sin^3 x + 6 \sin^2 x + \sin x + 2 \cos^2 x 8}{\sin x 1},\]as $x$ ranges over all real numbers such that $\sin x \neq 1.$ Enter your answer using interval notation.
Since $\cos^2 x = 1 - \sin^2 x,$ we can write \begin{align*} f(x) &= \frac{\sin^3 x + 6 \sin^2 x + \sin x + 2(1 - \sin^2 x) - 8}{\sin x - 1} \\ &= \frac{\sin^3 x + 4 \sin^2 x + \sin x - 6}{\sin x - 1} \\ &= \frac{(\sin x - 1)(\sin x + 2)(\sin x + 3)}{\sin x - 1} \\ &= (\sin x + 2)(\sin x + 3) \\ &= \sin^2 x + 5 \sin x ...
Let $O$ and $H$ be the circumcenter and orthocenter of triangle $ABC$, respectively. Let $a$, $b$, and $c$ denote the side lengths, and let $R$ denote the circumradius. Find $OH^2$ if $R = 7$ and $a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 29$.
If $O$ is the origin, then we know $$H = \overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{C}.$$Therefore \begin{align*} OH^2 &= |\overrightarrow{OH}|^2 \\ &= |\overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{C}|^2 \\ &= (\overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{C}) \cdot (\overrightar...
When the vectors $\begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}$ are both projected onto the same vector $\mathbf{v},$ the result is $\mathbf{p}$ in both cases. Find $\mathbf{p}.$
Note that the vector $\mathbf{p}$ must lie on the line passing through $\begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}.$ This line can be parameterized by \[\begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + t \left( \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \r...
There exist two distinct unit vectors $\mathbf{v}$ such that the angle between $\mathbf{v}$ and $\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ is $45^\circ,$ and the angle between $\mathbf{v}$ and $\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ is $60^\circ.$ Let $\mathbf{v}_1$ and $\mathbf{v}_2$ be these vectors. Find $\|\...
Let $\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix}.$ Since $\mathbf{v}$ is a unit vector, $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1.$ Since the angle between $\mathbf{v}$ and $\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}$ is $45^\circ,$ \[\frac{2x + 2y - z}{\sqrt{2^2 + 2^2 + (-1)^2}} = \cos 45^\circ = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}.\]Then $2x...
Find the maximum value of \[\sin \frac{\theta}{2} \cdot (1 + \cos \theta)\]for $0 < \theta < \pi.$
From the double angle formula, \[\sin \frac{\theta}{2} \cdot (1 + \cos \theta) = \sin \frac{\theta}{2} \left( 2 \cos^2 \frac{\theta}{2} \right) = 2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} \left( 1 - \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2} \right).\]Let $x = \sin \frac{\theta}{2}.$ We want to maximize \[y = 2x (1 - x^2).\]Note that \[y^2 = 4x^2 (1 - x^...
Joel selected an acute angle $x$ (strictly between 0 and 90 degrees) and wrote the values of $\sin x$, $\cos x$, and $\tan x$ on three different cards. Then he gave those cards to three students, Malvina, Paulina, and Georgina, one card to each, and asked them to figure out which trigonometric function (sin, cos, or t...
The functions $\sin x,$ $\cos x,$ $\tan x$ are one-to-one on the interval $(0^\circ,90^\circ).$ Since Malvina could deduce her function, the value of $x$ can also be deduced. In particular, $\sin x,$ $\cos x,$ and $\tan x$ are all known. Since they cannot deduce Paulina's function and Georgina's function, their valu...
Find the smallest positive integer $k$ such that $ z^{10} + z^9 + z^6+z^5+z^4+z+1 $ divides $z^k1$.
First, we factor the given polynomial. The polynomial has almost all the powers of $z$ from 1 to $z^6,$ which we can fill in by adding and subtracting $z^2$ and $z^3.$ This allows us to factor as follows: \begin{align*} z^{10} + z^9 + z^6 + z^5 + z^4 + z + 1 &= (z^{10} - z^3) + (z^9 - z^2) + (z^6 + z^5 + z^4 + z^3 + ...
Let $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ $\mathbf{c}$ be vectors such that $\|\mathbf{a}\| = \|\mathbf{b}\| = 1$ and $\|\mathbf{c}\| = 2.$ Find the maximum value of \[\|\mathbf{a} 2 \mathbf{b}\|^2 + \|\mathbf{b} 2 \mathbf{c}\|^2 + \|\mathbf{c} 2 \mathbf{a}\|^2.\]
Expanding, we get \begin{align*} &\|\mathbf{a} - 2 \mathbf{b}\|^2 + \|\mathbf{b} - 2 \mathbf{c}\|^2 + \|\mathbf{c} - 2 \mathbf{a}\|^2 \\ &= (\mathbf{a} - 2 \mathbf{b}) \cdot (\mathbf{a} - 2 \mathbf{b}) + (\mathbf{b} - 2 \mathbf{c}) \cdot (\mathbf{b} - 2 \mathbf{c}) + (\mathbf{c} - 2 \mathbf{a}) \cdot (\mathbf{c} - 2 \m...
triangle $ABC,$ $AB = 20$ and $BC = 15.$ Find the largest possible value of $\tan A.$
Consider $A$ and $B$ as fixed points in the plane. Then the set of possible locations of point $C$ is the circle centered at $B$ with radius 15. [asy] unitsize(0.2 cm); pair A, B, C; B = (0,0); A = (20,0); C = intersectionpoint(arc(B,15,0,180),arc(A,5*sqrt(7),0,180)); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(Circle(B,15), dashe...
w many complex numbers $z$ such that $\left| z \right| < 30$ satisfy the equation \[ e^z = \frac{z 1}{z + 1} \, ? \]
Let $z = x + yi$, where $x$ and $y$ are real. Then $$|e^z| = |e^{x+yi}| = |e^x \cdot e^{iy}| = |e^x| \cdot |e^{iy}| = e^x \cdot 1 = e^x.$$So $e^z$ is inside the unit circle if $x < 0$, is on the unit circle if $x = 0$, and is outside the unit circle if $x > 0$. Also, note that $z$ is closer to $-1$ than to $1$ if $x <...
Compute the distance between the parallel lines given by \[\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 7 \end{pmatrix}\]and \[\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix} + s \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 7 \end{pmatrix}.\]
To find the distance between the lines, we find a vector from a point on one line to a point on the other. Below, we have the two lines, and the projection: [asy] usepackage("amsmath"); unitsize(0.4 cm); pair A, B, P; A = (1,4); B = (-5,6); P = (A + reflect(B, B + (4,3))*(A))/2; draw((A + (4,3))--(A - 2*(4,3))); ...
f \[\frac{\sin x}{\cos y} + \frac{\sin y}{\cos x} = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{\cos x}{\sin y} + \frac{\cos y}{\sin x} = 6,\]then find $\frac{\tan x}{\tan y} + \frac{\tan y}{\tan x}.$
From the first equation, \[\frac{\sin x \cos x + \sin y \cos y}{\cos x \cos y} = 1.\]From the second equation, \[\frac{\cos x \sin x + \cos y \sin y}{\sin x \sin y} = 6.\]Dividing these equations, we get \[\tan x \tan y = \frac{1}{6}.\]Multiplying the two given equations, we get \[\frac{\sin x \cos x}{\sin y \cos y} + ...
Let $\theta$ be an acute angle, and let \[\sin \frac{\theta}{2} = \sqrt{\frac{x 1}{2x}}.\]Express $\tan \theta$ in terms of $x.$
By the double-angle formula, \[\cos \theta = 1 - 2 \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2} = 1 - 2 \cdot \frac{x - 1}{2x} = \frac{1}{x}.\]Since $\theta$ is acute, \[\sin \theta = \sqrt{1 - \cos^2 \theta} = \sqrt{1 - \frac{1}{x^2}},\]so \[\tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} = \frac{\sqrt{1 - \frac{1}{x^2}}}{\frac{1}{x}} = x \...
Let $a_0$, $a_1$, $a_2$, $\dots$ be an infinite sequence of real numbers such that $a_0 = \frac{5}{13}$ and \[ a_{n} = 2 a_{n1}^2 1 \]for every positive integer $n$. Let $c$ be the smallest number such that for every positive integer $n$, the product of the first $n$ terms satisfies the inequality \[|a_0 a_1 \dotsm...
Define the sequence $(\theta_n)$ by $\theta_0 = \arccos \frac{5}{13}$ and \[\theta_n = 2 \theta_{n - 1}.\]Then $\cos \theta_0 = \frac{5}{13},$ and \begin{align*} \cos \theta_n &= \cos (2 \theta_{n - 1}) \\ &= 2 \cos^2 \theta_{n - 1} - 1. \end{align*}Since the sequences $(a_n)$ and $(\cos \theta_n)$ have the same initia...
A sphere intersects the $xy$plane in a circle centered at $(2,4,0)$ with radius 1. The sphere also intersects the $yz$plane in a circle centered at $(0,4,7),$ with radius $r.$ Find $r.$
The center of the sphere must have the same $x$- and $y$-coordinates of $(2,4,0).$ It must also have the same $y$- and $z$-coordinates as $(0,4,-7).$ Therefore, the center of the sphere is $(2,4,-7).$ [asy] import three; size(250); currentprojection = perspective(6,3,2); real t; triple P, Q; P = (2,4,0) + (Cos(33...
Let $\mathbf{A}$ and $\mathbf{B}$ be matrices such that \[\mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B} = \mathbf{A} \mathbf{B}.\]If $\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} = \begin{pmatrix} 20/3 & 4/3 \\ 8/3 & 8/3 \end{pmatrix},$ find $\mathbf{B} \mathbf{A}.$
From $\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} = \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B},$ \[\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} - \mathbf{A} - \mathbf{B} = \mathbf{0}.\]Then $\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} - \mathbf{A} - \mathbf{B} + \mathbf{I} = \mathbf{I}.$ In the style of Simon's Favorite Factoring Trick, we can write this as \[(\mathbf{A} - \mathbf{I})(\mathbf{B} - \mat...
Find the matrix $\mathbf{M},$ with real entries, such that \[\mathbf{M}^3 4 \mathbf{M}^2 + 5 \mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} 10 & 20 \\ 5 & 10 \end{pmatrix}.\]
Let $\mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}.$ Note that \[\mathbf{M} (\mathbf{M}^3 - 4 \mathbf{M}^2 + 5 \mathbf{M}) = \mathbf{M}^4 - 4 \mathbf{M}^3 + 5 \mathbf{M}^2 = (\mathbf{M}^3 - 4 \mathbf{M}^2 + 5 \mathbf{M}) \mathbf{M},\]so \[\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} 10 & 20...
Solve \[\arcsin x + \arcsin 2x = \frac{\pi}{3}.\]
From the given equation, \[\arcsin 2x = \frac{\pi}{3} - \arcsin x.\]Then \[\sin (\arcsin 2x) = \sin \left( \frac{\pi}{3} - \arcsin x \right).\]Hence, from the angle subtraction formula, \begin{align*} 2x &= \sin \frac{\pi}{3} \cos (\arcsin x) - \cos \frac{\pi}{3} \sin (\arcsin x) \\ &= \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \sqrt{1 ...
The sphere with radius 1 and center $(0,0,1)$ rests on the $xy$plane. A light source is at $P = (0,1,2).$ Then the boundary of the shadow of the sphere can be expressed in the form $y = f(x),$ for some function $f(x).$ Find the function $f(x).$
Let $O = (0,0,1)$ be the center of the sphere, and let $X = (x,y,0)$ be a point on the boundary of the shadow. Since $X$ is on the boundary, $\overline{PX}$ is tangent to the sphere; let $T$ be the point of tangency. Note that $\angle PTO = 90^\circ.$ Also, lengths $OP$ and $OT$ are fixed, so $\angle OPT = \angle OP...
Find all real numbers $k$ for which there exists a nonzero, 2dimensional vector $\mathbf{v}$ such that \[\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 8 \\ 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix} \mathbf{v} = k \mathbf{v}.\]Enter all the solutions, separated by commas.
Let $\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \end{pmatrix}$. Then \[\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 8 \\ 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix} \mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 8 \\ 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} x + 8y \\ 2x + y \end{pmatrix},\]and \[k \mathbf{v} = k \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \end{pmatrix} = \b...
One line is parameterized by \[\begin{pmatrix} 1 + s \\ 3 ks \\ 1 + ks \end{pmatrix}.\]Another line is parameterized by \[\begin{pmatrix} t/2 \\ 1 + t \\ 2 t \end{pmatrix}.\]If the lines are coplanar (i.e. there is a plane that contains both lines), then find $k.$
First, we check if the two lines can intersect. For the two lines to intersect, we must have \begin{align*} -1 + s &= \frac{t}{2}, \\ 3 - ks &= 1 + t, \\ 1 + ks &= 2 - t. \end{align*}Adding the second equation and third equation, we get $4 = 3,$ contradiction. Thus, the two lines cannot intersect. So for the two lin...
Suppose that $\sec x+\tan x=\frac{22}7$ and that $\csc x+\cot x=\frac mn,$ where $\frac mn$ is in lowest terms. Find $m+n.$
Use the two trigonometric Pythagorean identities $1 + \tan^2 x = \sec^2 x$ and $1 + \cot^2 x = \csc^2 x$. If we square the given $\sec x = \frac{22}{7} - \tan x$, we find that \begin{align*} \sec^2 x &= \left(\frac{22}7\right)^2 - 2\left(\frac{22}7\right)\tan x + \tan^2 x \\ 1 &= \left(\frac{22}7\right)^2 - \frac{44}7 ...
Let $S$ be the set of complex numbers of the form $x + yi,$ where $x$ and $y$ are real numbers, such that \[\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \le x \le \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}.\]Find the smallest positive integer $m$ such that for all positive integers $n \ge m,$ there exists a complex number $z \in S$ such that $z^n = 1.$
Note that for $0^\circ \le \theta \le 360^\circ,$ the real part of $\operatorname{cis} \theta$ lies between $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ and $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ if and only if $30^\circ \le \theta \le 45^\circ$ or $315^\circ \le \theta \le 330^\circ.$ The 15th roots of unity are of the form $\operatorname{cis} (24^\circ k),$...
tetrahedron $ABCD,$ \[\angle ADB = \angle ADC = \angle BDC = 90^\circ.\]Also, $x = \sin \angle CAD$ and $y = \sin \angle CBD.$ Express $\cos \angle ACB$ in terms of $x$ and $y.$
By the Law of Cosines on triangle $ABC,$ \[\cos \angle ACB = \frac{AC^2 + BC^2 - AB^2}{2 \cdot AC \cdot BC}.\][asy] unitsize(1 cm); pair A, B, C, D; A = (0,2); B = 2*dir(240); C = (3,0); D = (0,0); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(A--D,dashed); draw(B--D,dashed); draw(C--D,dashed); label("$A$", A, N); label("$B$", B, SW)...
Find the number of solutions to \[\cos 4x + \cos^2 3x + \cos^3 2x + \cos^4 x = 0\]for $\pi \le x \le \pi.$
We can express all the terms in terms of $\cos 2x$: \begin{align*} \cos 4x &= 2 \cos^2 2x - 1, \\ \cos^2 3x &= \frac{\cos 6x + 1}{2} = \frac{4 \cos^3 2x - 3 \cos 2x + 1}{2}, \\ \cos^3 2x &= \cos^3 2x, \\ \cos^4 x &= (\cos^2 x)^2 = \left( \frac{\cos 2x + 1}{2} \right)^2 = \frac{\cos^2 2x + 2 \cos 2x + 1}{4}. \end{align*...
triangle $ABC,$ $\cot A \cot C = \frac{1}{2}$ and $\cot B \cot C = \frac{1}{18}.$ Find $\tan C.$
From the addition formula for tangent, \[\tan (A + B + C) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B + \tan C - \tan A \tan B \tan C}{1 - (\tan A \tan B + \tan A \tan C + \tan B \tan C)}.\]Since $A + B + C = 180^\circ,$ this is 0. Hence, \[\tan A + \tan B + \tan C = \tan A \tan B \tan C.\]From $\cot A \cot C = \frac{1}{2},$ $\tan A \tan...
Let $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ be nonzero vectors such that \[\|\mathbf{a}\| = \|\mathbf{b}\| = \|\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}\|.\]Find the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b},$ in degrees.
Let $d = \|\mathbf{a}\| = \|\mathbf{b}\| = \|\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}\|.$ Then \begin{align*} d^2 &= \|\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}\|^2 \\ &= (\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}) \cdot (\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}) \\ &= \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{a} + 2 \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{b} \\ &= \|\mathbf{a}\|^2 + 2 \m...
Find the matrix $\mathbf{P}$ such that for any vector $\mathbf{v},$ $\mathbf{P} \mathbf{v}$ is the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto the vector $\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.$
Let $\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix}.$ Then the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto $\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}$ is given by \begin{align*} \frac{\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}}{\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} ...
Let $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ $\mathbf{c},$ $\mathbf{d}$ be four distinct unit vectors in space such that \[\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} =\mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{d} = \mathbf{c} \cdot \mathbf{d} = \frac{1}{11}.\]Find $\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{d}.$
Let $O$ be the origin, and let $A,$ $B,$ $C,$ $D$ be points in space so that $\overrightarrow{OA} = \mathbf{a},$ $\overrightarrow{OB} = \mathbf{b},$ $\overrightarrow{OC} = \mathbf{c},$ and $\overrightarrow{OD} = \mathbf{d}.$ [asy] import three; size(180); currentprojection = perspective(6,3,2); triple A, B, C, D, O;...
Let $ABC$ be a triangle. There exists a positive real number $k$, such that if the altitudes of triangle $ABC$ are extended past $A$, $B$, and $C$, to $A'$, $B'$, and $C'$, as shown, such that $AA' = kBC$, $BB' = kAC$, and $CC' = kAB$, then triangle $A'B'C'$ is equilateral. [asy] unitsize(0.6 cm); pair[] A, B, C; pa...
We place the diagram in the complex plane, so that the vertices $A$, $A'$, $B$, $B'$, $C$, and $C'$ go to the complex numbers $a$, $a'$, $b$, $b'$, $c$, and $c'$, respectively. To get to $a'$, we rotate the line segment joining $b$ to $c$ by $90^\circ$ (which we achieve by multiplying $c - b$ by $i$). Also, we want $...
Given vectors $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b},$ let $\mathbf{p}$ be a vector such that \[\|\mathbf{p} \mathbf{b}\| = 2 \|\mathbf{p} \mathbf{a}\|.\]Among all such vectors $\mathbf{p},$ there exists constants $t$ and $u$ such that $\mathbf{p}$ is at a fixed distance from $t \mathbf{a} + u \mathbf{b}.$ Enter the ordered p...
From $\|\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{b}\| = 2 \|\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{a}\|,$ \[\|\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{b}\|^2 = 4 \|\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{a}\|^2.\]This expands as \[\|\mathbf{p}\|^2 - 2 \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{p} + \|\mathbf{b}\|^2 = 4 \|\mathbf{p}\|^2 - 8 \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{p} + 4 \|\mathbf{a}\|^2,\]which simplifies to $3...
Rational Man and Irrational Man both buy new cars, and they decide to drive around two racetracks from time $t = 0$ to $t = \infty.$ Rational Man drives along the path parameterized by \begin{align*} x &= \cos t, \\ y &= \sin t, \end{align*}and Irrational Man drives along the path parameterized by \begin{align*} x &= ...
Rational Man's racetrack is parameterized by $x = \cos t$ and $y = \sin t.$ We can eliminate $t$ by writing \[x^2 + y^2 = \cos^2 t + \sin^2 t = 1.\]Thus, Rational Man's racetrack is the circle centered at $(0,0)$ with radius 1. Irrational Man's racetrack is parameterized by $x = 1 + 4 \cos \frac{t}{\sqrt{2}}$ and $y ...
Compute the least positive value of $t$ such that \[\arcsin (\sin \alpha), \ \arcsin (\sin 2 \alpha), \ \arcsin (\sin 7 \alpha), \ \arcsin (\sin t \alpha)\]is a geometric progression for some $\alpha$ with $0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}.$
Let $r$ be the common ratio. Since $0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2},$ both $\arcsin (\sin \alpha)$ and $\arcsin (\sin 2 \alpha)$ are positive, so $r$ is positive. The positive portions of the graphs of $y = \arcsin (\sin x),$ $y = \arcsin (2 \sin x),$ and $y = \arcsin (7 \sin x)$ are shown below. (Note that each graph is...
The sum\[\sum_{x=2}^{44} 2\sin{x}\sin{1}[1 + \sec (x1) \sec (x+1)]\]can be written in the form $\sum_{n=1}^{4} (1)^n \frac{\Phi(\theta_n)}{\Psi(\theta_n)}$, where $\Phi,\, \Psi$ are trigonometric functions and $\theta_1,\, \theta_2, \, \theta_3, \, \theta_4$ are degrees $\in [0,45]$. Find $\theta_1 + \theta_2 + \theta_...
By the product-to-sum identities, we know that $2\sin a \sin b = \cos(a-b) - \cos(a+b)$, so $2\sin{x}\sin{1} = \cos(x-1)-\cos(x+1)$: $\sum_{x=2}^{44} [\cos(x-1) - \cos(x+1)][1 + \sec (x-1) \sec (x+1)]\\ =\sum_{x=2}^{44} \cos(x-1) - \cos(x+1) + \frac{1}{\cos(x+1)} - \frac{1}{\cos(x-1)}\\ =\sum_{x=2}^{44} \frac{\cos^2(x-...
f \[\sin x + \cos x + \tan x + \cot x + \sec x + \csc x = 7,\]then find $\sin 2x.$
Expressing everything in terms of $\sin x$ and $\cos x,$ we get \[\sin x + \cos x + \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} + \frac{\cos x}{\sin x} + \frac{1}{\sin x} + \frac{1}{\cos x} = 7.\]Then \[\sin x + \cos x + \frac{\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x}{\sin x \cos x} + \frac{\sin x + \cos x}{\sin x \cos x} = 7,\]which becomes \[\sin x + \cos x +...
Find the point on the line defined by \[\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 6 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}\]that is closest to the point $(2,3,4).$
A point on the line is given by \[\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ 6 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 - 2t \\ 6t \\ 1 - 3t \end{pmatrix}.\][asy] unitsize (0.6 cm); pair A, B, C, D, E, F, H; A = (2,5); B = (0,0); C = (8,0); D = (A + ...
Let $P$ be a point on the line \[\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\]and let $Q$ be a point on the line \[\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + s \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.\]Find the shortest possible distance $PQ.$
For the first line, we can write $P$ as$(2t + 3, -2t - 1, t + 2).$ For the second line, we can write $Q$ as $(s, 2s, -s + 4).$ Then \begin{align*} PQ^2 &= ((2t + 3) - (s))^2 + ((-2t - 1) - (2s))^2 + ((t + 2) - (-s + 4))^2 \\ &= 6s^2 + 6st + 9t^2 - 6s + 12t + 14. \end{align*}The terms $6st$ and $9t^2$ suggest the expa...
the diagram below, triangle $ABC$ has been reflected over its median $\overline{AM}$ to produce triangle $AB'C'$. If $AE = 6$, $EC =12$, and $BD = 10$, then find $AB$. [asy] size(250); pair A,B,C,D,M,BB,CC,EE; B = (0,0); D = (10,0); M = (15,0); C=2*M; A = D + (scale(1.2)*rotate(aCos((22514425)/120))*(MD)); CC = D + D...
Since $M$ is the midpoint of $\overline{BC}$, we have $[ABM] = [ACM]$. Since $ADM$ is the reflection of $AEM$ over $\overline{AM}$, we have $[ADM] = [AEM]$ and $AD = AE = 6$. Similarly, we have $[C'DM] = [CEM]$ and $C'D = CE = 12$. Since $[ABM]=[ACM]$ and $[ADM]=[AEM]$, we have $[ABM]-[ADM] = [ACM]-[AEM]$, so $[ABD]...
f $\sin x + \sin y = \frac{96}{65}$ and $\cos x + \cos y = \frac{72}{65}$, then what is the value of $\tan x + \tan y$?
From the angle addition formula, \begin{align*} \tan x + \tan y &= \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} + \frac{\sin y}{\cos y} \\ &= \frac{\sin x \cos y + \cos x \sin y}{\cos x \cos y} \\ &= \frac{\sin (x + y)}{\cos x \cos y} \\ &= \frac{2 \sin (x + y)}{\cos (x + y) + \cos (x - y)}. \end{align*}Squaring the given equations and addin...
The vector $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}$ is rotated $90^\circ$ about the origin. During the rotation, it passes through the $x$axis. Find the resulting vector.
Note that the magnitude of the vector $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}$ is $\sqrt{1^2 + 2^2 + 2^2}$ is 3. Furthermore, if this vector makes an angle of $\theta$ with the positive $x$-axis, then \[\cos \theta = \frac{\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}}{\l...
An ellipse is defined parametrically by \[(x,y) = \left( \frac{2 (\sin t 1)}{2 \cos t}, \frac{3 (\cos t 5)}{2 \cos t} \right).\]Then the equation of the ellipse can be written in the form \[Ax^2 + Bxy + Cy^2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0,\]where $A,$ $B,$ $C,$ $D,$ $E,$ and $F$ are integers, and $\gcd(|A|,|B|,|C|,|D|,|E|,|F|) ...
In the equation $y = \frac{3 (\cos t - 5)}{2 - \cos t},$ we can solve for $\cos t$ to get \[\cos t = \frac{2y + 15}{y + 3}.\]In the equation $x = \frac{2 (\sin t - 1)}{2 - \cos t},$ we can solve for $\sin t$ to get \[\sin t = \frac{1}{2} x (2 - \cos t) + 1 = \frac{1}{2} x \left( 2 - \frac{2y + 15}{y + 3} \right) + 1 = ...
Let $\mathbf{P}$ be the matrix for projecting onto the vector $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 7 \end{pmatrix}.$ Find $\det \mathbf{P}.$
A projection matrix is always of the form \[\begin{pmatrix} \cos^2 \theta & \cos \theta \sin \theta \\ \cos \theta \sin \theta & \sin^2 \theta \end{pmatrix},\]where the vector being projected onto has direction vector $\begin{pmatrix} \cos \theta \\ \sin \theta \end{pmatrix}.$ The determinant of this matrix is then \[...
Let $\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\mathbf{w} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}.$ The columns of a matrix are $\mathbf{u},$ $\mathbf{v},$ and $\mathbf{w},$ where $\mathbf{u}$ is a unit vector. Find the largest possible determinant of the matrix.
The determinant of the matrix is given by the scalar triple product \[\mathbf{u} \cdot (\mathbf{v} \times \mathbf{w}) = \mathbf{u} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -7 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}.\]In turn, this is equal to \[\mathbf{u} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -7 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} = \|\mathbf{u}\| \left\| \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -7...
Find the number of $x$intercepts on the graph of $y = \sin \frac{1}{x}$ (evaluated in terms of radians) in the interval $(0.0001, 0.001).$
The intercepts occur where $\sin \frac{1}{x}= 0$, that is, where $x = \frac{1}{k\pi}$ and $k$ is a nonzero integer. Solving \[0.0001 < \frac{1}{k\pi} < 0.001\]yields \[\frac{1000}{\pi} < k < \frac{10{,}000}{\pi}.\]Thus the number of $x$ intercepts in $(0.0001, 0.001)$ is \[\left\lfloor\frac{10{,}000}{\pi}\right\rfloor ...
Let point $O$ be the origin of a threedimensional coordinate system, and let points $A,$ $B,$ and $C$ be located on the positive $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ axes, respectively. If $OA = \sqrt[4]{75}$ and $\angle BAC = 30^\circ,$ then compute the area of triangle $ABC.$
Let $b = OB$ and $c = OC.$ [asy] import three; size(250); currentprojection = perspective(6,3,2); triple A, B, C, O; A = (3,0,0); B = (0,4,0); C = (0,0,2); O = (0,0,0); draw(O--(5,0,0)); draw(O--(0,5,0)); draw(O--(0,0,3)); draw(A--B--C--cycle); label("$A$", A, S); label("$B$", B, S); label("$C$", C, NW); label("$...