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159
Four of the six numbers 1867, 1993, 2019, 2025, 2109, and 2121 have a mean (average) of 2008. What is the mean (average) of the other two numbers?
The sum of the six given integers is $1867+1993+2019+2025+2109+2121=12134$. The four of these integers that have a mean of 2008 must have a sum of $4(2008)=8032$. (We do not know which integers they are, but we do not actually need to know.) Thus, the sum of the remaining two integers must be $12134-8032=4102$. The...
2051
For a list of five positive integers, none greater than 100, the mean is 1.5 times the mode. If 31, 58, 98, $x$ and $x$ are the five integers, what is the value of $x$?
The mean of the list 31, 58, 98, $x$ and $x$ is $(31+58+98+2x)/5=(187+2x)/5$, and the mode is $x$. Solving $1.5x=(187+2x)/5$ we find $x=\boxed{34}$.
34
The smaller square in the figure below has a perimeter of $4$ cm, and the larger square has an area of $16$ $\text{cm}^2$. What is the distance from point $A$ to point $B$? Express your answer as a decimal to the nearest tenth. [asy] draw((0,0)--(12,0)); draw((2,0)--(2,10)); draw((0,0)--(0,2)); draw((0,2)--(2,2)); dr...
Since the smaller square has a perimeter of 4 cm and its sides are equal in length, each side measures $4/4=1$ cm. Since the larger square has area 16 square cm, each side measures $\sqrt{16}=4$ cm. To find the length of $AB$, we draw a right triangle with $AB$ as the hypotenuse and the two sides parallel to the sides ...
5.8
The diagonals of a rhombus measure 18 feet and 12 feet. What is the perimeter of the rhombus? Express your answer in simplest radical form.
The diagonals of a rhombus intersect at a 90-degree angle, partitioning the rhombus into four congruent right triangles. The legs of one of the triangles are 6 feet and 9 feet, so the hypotenuse of the triangle - which is also the side of the rhombus - is $\sqrt{(6^2 + 9^2)} = \sqrt{(36 + 81)} = \sqrt{117}$ feet. Sinc...
12\sqrt{13}\text{ feet}
I have 10 distinguishable socks in my drawer: 4 white, 4 brown, and 2 blue. In how many ways can I choose a pair of socks, provided that I get two socks of different colors?
If the socks are different, either white and brown, brown and blue, or white and blue can be picked. If the socks are white and brown, there are 4 options for the white sock and 4 options for the brown sock for a total of 16 choices. If the socks are brown and blue, there are 4 options for the brown sock and 2 option...
32
In the diagram, $AB$ is parallel to $DC,$ and $ACE$ is a straight line. What is the value of $x?$ [asy] draw((0,0)--(-.5,5)--(8,5)--(6.5,0)--cycle); draw((-.5,5)--(8.5,-10/7)); label("$A$",(-.5,5),W); label("$B$",(8,5),E); label("$C$",(6.5,0),S); label("$D$",(0,0),SW); label("$E$",(8.5,-10/7),S); draw((2,0)--(3,0),Arro...
Since $\angle ACE$ is a straight angle, $$\angle ACB=180^{\circ}-105^{\circ}=75^{\circ}.$$In $\triangle ABC,$ \begin{align*} \angle BAC &= 180^{\circ}-\angle ABC - \angle ACB \\ &= 180^{\circ}-75^{\circ}-75^{\circ} \\ &= 30^{\circ}. \end{align*}Since $AB$ is parallel to $DC,$ we have $$\angle ACD = \angle BAC = 30^{\ci...
35
A square 10cm on each side has four quarter circles drawn with centers at the four corners. How many square centimeters are in the area of the shaded region? Express your answer in terms of $\pi$. [asy] unitsize (1.5 cm); draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); filldraw(arc((1,1),1,270,180)--arc((-1,1),1,360,270...
We first notice that the area of the shaded region is the area of the square minus the areas of the four quarter circles. Each quarter circle has a radius half the side length, so if we sum the areas of the four quarter circles, we have the area of one full circle with radius $5$ cm. Now, we know the area of a square i...
100-25\pi} \text{ cm
A square carpet of side length 9 feet is designed with one large shaded square and eight smaller, congruent shaded squares, as shown. [asy] draw((0,0)--(9,0)--(9,9)--(0,9)--(0,0)); fill((1,1)--(2,1)--(2,2)--(1,2)--cycle,gray(.8)); fill((4,1)--(5,1)--(5,2)--(4,2)--cycle,gray(.8)); fill((7,1)--(8,1)--(8,2)--(7,2)--cy...
We are given that $\frac{9}{\text{S}}=\frac{\text{S}}{\text{T}}=3.$ \[\frac{9}{\text{S}}=3\] gives us $S=3,$ so \[\frac{\text{S}}{\text{T}}=3\] gives us $T=1$. There are 8 shaded squares with side length $\text{T}$ and there is 1 shaded square with side length $\text{S},$ so the total shaded area is $8\cdot(1\cdot1)+1\...
17
At Beaumont High School, there are 20 players on the basketball team. All 20 players are taking at least one of biology or chemistry. (Biology and chemistry are two different science courses at the school.) If there are 8 players taking biology and 4 players are taking both sciences, how many players are taking chem...
8 players are taking biology, so $20 - 8 = 12$ players are not taking biology, which means 12 players are taking chemistry alone. Since 4 are taking both, there are $12 + 4 = \boxed{16}$ players taking chemistry.
16
Only nine out of the original thirteen colonies had to ratify the U.S. Constitution in order for it to take effect. What is this ratio, nine to thirteen, rounded to the nearest tenth?
Note that $\frac{7.8}{13} = 0.6$ and $\frac{9.1}{13} = 0.7.$ Since $\frac{9}{13}$ is closer to $\frac{9.1}{13}$ than to $\frac{7.8}{13},$ $\frac{9}{13}$ rounds to $\boxed{0.7}.$
0.7
Two interior angles $A$ and $B$ of pentagon $ABCDE$ are $60^{\circ}$ and $85^{\circ}$. Two of the remaining angles, $C$ and $D$, are equal and the fifth angle $E$ is $15^{\circ}$ more than twice $C$. Find the measure of the largest angle.
The sum of the angle measures in a polygon with $n$ sides is $180(n-2)$ degrees. So, the sum of the pentagon's angles is $180(5-2) = 540$ degrees. Let $\angle C$ and $\angle D$ each have measure $x$, so $\angle E = 2x + 15^\circ$. Therefore, we must have \[60^\circ + 85^\circ + x + x+ 2x + 15^\circ = 540^\circ.\] Si...
205^\circ
The isosceles triangle and the square shown here have the same area in square units. What is the height of the triangle, $h$, in terms of the side length of the square, $s$? [asy] draw((0,0)--(0,10)--(10,10)--(10,0)--cycle); fill((0,0)--(17,5)--(0,10)--cycle,white); draw((0,0)--(17,5)--(0,10)--cycle); label("$s$",(5,1...
The area of the square is $s^2$. Since the sides of the square all have the same length, the base of the triangle is $s$ (for the height drawn). Therefore, the area of the triangle is $\frac12 sh$. Since these areas are equal, we have \[\frac12sh=s^2.\] Dividing both sides by $s$ and multiplying both sides by 2 gives...
2s
A sports conference has 14 teams in two divisions of 7. How many games are in a complete season for the conference if each team must play every other team in its own division twice and every team in the other division once?
Each team plays 6 other teams in its division twice, and the 7 teams in the other division once, for a total of $6 \times 2 + 7 = 19$ games for each team. There are 14 teams total, which gives a preliminary count of $19 \times 14 = 266$ games, but we must divide by two because we have counted each game twice (once for...
133
The figure shows a square of side $y$ units divided into a square of side $x$ units and four congruent rectangles. What is the perimeter, in units, of one of the four congruent rectangles? Express your answer in terms of $y$. [asy] size(4cm); defaultpen(linewidth(1pt)+fontsize(12pt)); draw((0,0)--(0,4)--(4,4)--(4,0)--c...
Let $l$ represent the longer side of the rectangle, which makes the shorter side of the rectangle $y-l$ (since one long side and one short side make up $y$). Then the perimeter of one of the rectangles is $2l+2(y-l)=2l+2y-2l=\boxed{2y}$.
2y
Misha is the 50th best as well as the 50th worst student in her grade. How many students are in Misha's grade?
There are 49 students better than Misha and 49 students worse than Misha. There are $49+49+1=\boxed{99}$ students in Misha's grade.
99
If altitude $CD$ is $\sqrt3$ centimeters, what is the number of square centimeters in the area of $\Delta ABC$? [asy] import olympiad; pair A,B,C,D; A = (0,sqrt(3)); B = (1,0); C = foot(A,B,-B); D = foot(C,A,B); draw(A--B--C--A); draw(C--D,dashed); label("$30^{\circ}$",A-(0.05,0.4),E); label("$A$",A,N);label("$B$",B,E...
From 30-60-90 right triangle $ACD$ with hypotenuse $\overline{AC}$ and shorter leg $\overline{CD}$, we have $AC = 2CD = 2\sqrt{3}$. From 30-60-90 triangle $ABC$ with shorter leg $\overline{BC}$ and longer leg $\overline{AC}$, we have $AC = BC \sqrt{3}$. Since $AC = 2\sqrt{3}$, we have $BC = 2$. Therefore, the area o...
2\sqrt{3}
Many television screens are rectangles that are measured by the length of their diagonals. The ratio of the horizontal length to the height in a standard television screen is $4:3$. What is the horizontal length (in inches) of a ``27-inch'' television screen? [asy] fill((0,0)--(8,0)--(8,6)--cycle,gray(0.7)); draw((0,0...
The height, length, and diagonal are in the ratio $3:4:5$. The length of the diagonal is 27, so the horizontal length is $\frac{4}{5} (27) = \boxed{21.6}$ inches.
21.6
Sandy's daughter has a playhouse in the back yard. She plans to cover the one shaded exterior wall and the two rectangular faces of the roof, also shaded, with a special siding to resist the elements. The siding is sold only in 8-foot by 12-foot sections that cost $\$27.30$ each. If Sandy can cut the siding when she ge...
Sandy will need to cover an $8$ by $6$ rectangle and two $8$ by $5$ rectangles. Thus, she will need to have at her disposal a sheet that is $8$ by $16$, so she should buy two $8$ by $12$ feet sections. The total price will be $2 \cdot \$ 27.30 = \boxed{ \$ 54.60}$.
\$ 54.60
How many positive integers smaller than $1{,}000{,}000$ are powers of $2$, but are not powers of $8$? You may find it useful to consider that $2^{10}=1024$.
The hint is useful because it tells us that $2^{20}$ is equal to $1024^2$, which is slightly more than $1{,}000{,}000$, but is clearly less than $2{,}000{,}000$. Therefore, the largest power of $2$ which is less than $1{,}000{,}000$ is $2^{19}$. This tells us that $20$ of the integers smaller than $1{,}000{,}000$ are p...
13
Each triangle is a 30-60-90 triangle, and the hypotenuse of one triangle is the longer leg of an adjacent triangle. The hypotenuse of the largest triangle is 8 centimeters. What is the number of centimeters in the length of the longer leg of the smallest triangle? Express your answer as a common fraction. [asy] pair O...
First, we label the diagram as shown below: [asy] size(190); pair O; for(int i = 0; i < 5; ++i){ draw(O--((2/sqrt(3))^i)*dir(30*i)); } for(int g = 0; g < 4; ++g){ draw( ((2/sqrt(3))^g)*dir(30*g)-- ((2/sqrt(3))^(g+1))*dir(30*g+30)); } label("8 cm", O--(16/9)*dir(120), W); label("$30^{\circ}$",.4*dir(0),dir(90)); label(...
\frac{9}{2}
Express $0.4\overline5$ as a common fraction.
To express the number $0.4\overline{5}$ as a fraction, we call it $x$ and subtract it from $10x$: $$\begin{array}{r r c r@{}l} &10x &=& 4&.55555\ldots \\ - &x &=& 0&.45555\ldots \\ \hline &9x &=& 4&.1 \end{array}$$ This shows that $0.4\overline{5} = \frac{4.1}{9} = \boxed{\frac{41}{90}}$.
\frac{41}{90}
A number in the set $\{50, 51, 52, 53, ... , 999\}$ is randomly selected. What is the probability that it is a two-digit number? Express your answer as a common fraction.
To count the number of numbers in this set, we subtract 49 from all of the numbers, giving the set $\{1, 2, 3, \ldots , 950 \}$, making it obvious that there are 950 numbers total. Furthermore, the set $\{ 50, 51, 52, \ldots, 98, 99 \}$ corresponds to the more easily counted $\{ 1, 2, 3, \ldots , 49, 50 \}$ by subtract...
\frac{1}{19}
For how many three-digit positive integers is the sum of the digits equal to $5?$
Let the three digit integer be $abc.$ We must have $a+b+c=5,$ and $a\geq 1.$ Let $d=a-1.$ Then $d,$ $b,$ and $c$ are all nonnegative integers with $d+b+c=4.$ We can view this as placing two dividers among four dots, which can be done in a total of $\binom{6}{2}=\boxed{15}$ ways.
15
Tracy had a bag of candies, and none of the candies could be broken into pieces. She ate $\frac{1}{3}$ of them and then gave $\frac{1}{4}$ of what remained to her friend Rachel. Tracy and her mom then each ate 15 candies from what Tracy had left. Finally, Tracy's brother took somewhere from one to five candies, leaving...
Let $x$ be Tracy's starting number of candies. After eating $\frac{1}{3}$ of them, she had $\frac{2}{3}x$ left. Since $\frac{2}{3}x$ is an integer, $x$ is divisible by 3. After giving $\frac{1}{4}$ of this to Rachel, she had $\frac{3}{4}$ of $\frac{2}{3}x$ left, for a total of $\frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{2}{3}x = \frac{1}...
72
In a right-angled triangle, the sum of the squares of the three side lengths is 1800. What is the length of the hypotenuse of this triangle?
Suppose the side lengths of the triangle are $a$, $b$, and $c$, with $c$ the hypotenuse. Then $c^2 = a^2+b^2$ by the Pythagorean Theorem. We are told that $$a^2+b^2+c^2 = 1800.$$ Since $a^2+b^2=c^2$, then $c^2 + c^2 = 1800$ or $2c^2 = 1800$ or $c^2 = 900$ or $c=30$ (since the side lengths are positive). So the hypotenu...
30
The circumference of a particular circle is 18 cm. In square centimeters, what is the area of the circle? Express your answer as a common fraction in terms of $\pi$.
If $r$ is the radius of the circle, then the circumference is $2\pi r$. Setting $2\pi r$ equal to 18 cm, we find $r=9/\pi$ cm. The area of the circle is $\pi r^2=\pi\left(\dfrac{9}{\pi}\right)^2=\boxed{\dfrac{81}{\pi}}$ square centimeters.
\dfrac{81}{\pi}
A number is chosen at random from the set of consecutive natural numbers $\{1, 2, 3, \ldots, 24\}$. What is the probability that the number chosen is a factor of $4!$? Express your answer as a common fraction.
The number $4!=24$ has prime factorization $2^33^1$. A factor of 24 must have between zero and three 2's in its prime factorization, and between zero and one 3's in its prime factorization. Therefore, 24 has $(3+1)(1+1)=8$ factors, and the probability that a number randomly chosen from the given set is a factor of 24 i...
\frac{1}{3}
The matrix for reflecting over a certain line $\ell,$ which passes through the origin, is given by \[\begin{pmatrix} \frac{7}{25} & -\frac{24}{25} \\ -\frac{24}{25} & -\frac{7}{25} \end{pmatrix}.\]Find the direction vector of line $\ell.$ Enter your answer in the form $\begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \end{pmatrix},$ where $a,$...
Since $\begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \end{pmatrix}$ actually lies on $\ell,$ the reflection takes this vector to itself. [asy] unitsize(1.5 cm); pair D = (4,-3), V = (2,1), P = (V + reflect((0,0),D)*(V))/2; draw((4,-3)/2--(-4,3)/2,dashed); draw((-2,0)--(2,0)); draw((0,-2)--(0,2)); draw((0,0)--P,Arrow(6)); label("$\ell$", ...
\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix}
Let $\mathbf{v}_0$ be a vector. The vector $\mathbf{v}_0$ is projected onto $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix},$ resulting in the vector $\mathbf{v}_1.$ The vector $\mathbf{v}_1$ is then projected onto $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix},$ resulting in the vector $\mathbf{v}_2.$ Find the matrix that takes $\mat...
The matrix that projects onto $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ is \[\begin{pmatrix} \frac{9}{10} & \frac{3}{10} \\ \frac{3}{10} & \frac{1}{10} \end{pmatrix},\]and the matrix that projects onto $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ is \[\begin{pmatrix} \frac{1}{2} & \frac{1}{2} \\ \frac{1}{2} & \frac{1}{2} \end{p...
\begin{pmatrix} \frac{3}{5} & \frac{1}{5} \\ \frac{3}{5} & \frac{1}{5} \end{pmatrix}
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{...
\left( \frac{31}{10}, 0, \frac{1}{5} \right)
If \[\frac{\sin x}{\cos y} + \frac{\sin y}{\cos x} = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{\cos x}{\sin y} + \frac{\cos y}{\sin x} = 6,\]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} + ...
\frac{124}{13}
A projection takes $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}$ to $\begin{pmatrix} \frac{60}{13} \\ \frac{12}{13} \end{pmatrix}.$ Which vector does the projection take $\begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}$ to?
Since the projection of $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}$ is $\begin{pmatrix} \frac{60}{13} \\ \frac{12}{13} \end{pmatrix},$ the vector being projected onto is a scalar multiple of $\begin{pmatrix} \frac{60}{13} \\ \frac{12}{13} \end{pmatrix}.$ Thus, we can assume that the vector being projected onto is $\begin{p...
\begin{pmatrix} -20/13 \\ -4/13 \end{pmatrix}
Regular decagon $P_1 P_2 \dotsb P_{10}$ is drawn in the coordinate plane with $P_1$ at $(1,0)$ and $P_6$ at $(3,0).$ If $P_n$ is the point $(x_n,y_n),$ compute the numerical value of the product \[(x_1 + y_1 i)(x_2 + y_2 i)(x_3 + y_3 i) \dotsm (x_{10} + y_{10} i).\]
Let $p_k$ denote the complex number corresponding to the point $P_k,$ for $1 \le k \le 10.$ Since the $P_k$ form a regular decagon centered at 2, the $p_k$ are the roots of \[(z - 2)^{10} = 1.\]Hence, \[(z - p_1)(z - p_2)(z - p_3) \dotsm (z - p_{10}) = (z - 2)^{10} - 1.\]By Vieta's formulas, $p_1 p_2 p_3 \dotsm p_{10}...
1023
Let $a_0$, $a_1$, $a_2$, $\dots$ be an infinite sequence of real numbers such that $a_0 = \frac{5}{13}$ and \[ a_{n} = 2 a_{n-1}^2 - 1 \]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 \dot...
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...
108
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...
\sqrt{2}
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 ...
\sqrt{3} - 5i
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...
\sqrt{59}
Line $L$ is the intersection of the planes $x + 2y + 3z = 2$ and $x - y + z = 3.$ A plane $P,$ different from both these planes, contains line $L,$ and has a distance of $\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}$ from the point $(3,1,-1).$ Find the equation of plane $P.$ Enter your answer in the form \[Ax + By + Cz + D = 0,\]where $A,$ $...
We can write the equations of the planes as $x + 2y + 3z - 2 = 0$ and $x - y + z - 3 = 0.$ Any point in $L$ satisfies both equations, which means any point in $L$ satisfies an equation of the form \[a(x + 2y + 3z - 2) + b(x - y + z - 3) = 0.\]We can write this as \[(a + b)x + (2a - b)y + (3a + b)z - (2a + 3b) = 0.\]Th...
5x - 11y + z - 17 = 0
In 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...
4
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...
\begin{pmatrix} 20/3 & 4/3 \\ -8/3 & 8/3 \end{pmatrix}
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...
\frac{7}{2}
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|,|...
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 = ...
1381
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...
\begin{pmatrix} 2 \sqrt{2} \\ -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \\ -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \end{pmatrix}
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{...
28
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 ...
\frac{\sqrt{33} - 3}{3}
Find all real numbers $k$ for which there exists a nonzero, 2-dimensional 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...
-3
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)...
\frac{20}{3}
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...
-2
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] - ...
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}{...
\left( \frac{1}{15}, \frac{2}{15}, \frac{4}{15}, \frac{8}{15} \right)
Let $\theta$ be the smallest acute angle for which $\sin \theta,$ $\sin 2 \theta,$ $\sin 3 \theta$ form an arithmetic progression, in some order. Find $\cos \theta.$
We take cases, based on which of $\sin \theta,$ $\sin 2 \theta,$ $\sin 3 \theta$ is the middle term. Case 1: $\sin \theta$ is the middle term. In this case, \[2 \sin \theta = \sin 2 \theta + \sin 3 \theta.\]We can write this as $2 \sin \theta = 2 \sin \theta \cos \theta + (3 \sin \theta - 4 \sin^3 \theta),$ so \[2 \s...
\frac{3}{4}
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}}...
\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}
Let $a$ and $b$ be nonnegative real numbers such that \[\sin (ax + b) = \sin 29x\]for all integers $x.$ Find the smallest possible value of $a.$
First, let $a$ and $b$ be nonnegative real numbers such that \[\sin (ax + b) = \sin 29x\]for all integers $x.$ Let $a' = a + 2 \pi n$ for some integer $n.$ Then \begin{align*} \sin (a' x + b) &= \sin ((a + 2 \pi n) x + b) \\ &= \sin (ax + b + 2 \pi n x) \\ &= \sin (ax + b) \\ &= \sin 29x \end{align*}for all integers ...
10 \pi - 29
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...
30^\circ or 150^\circ
Among all pairs of real numbers $(x, y)$ such that $\sin \sin x = \sin \sin y$ with $-10 \pi \le x, y \le 10 \pi$, Oleg randomly selected a pair $(X, Y)$. Compute the probability that $X = Y$.
The function $\sin x$ is increasing on the interval $\left[ -\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2} \right],$ so it is increasing on the interval $[-1,1].$ Hence, \[\sin \sin x = \sin \sin y\]implies $\sin x = \sin y.$ In turn, $\sin x = \sin y$ is equivalent to $y = x + 2k \pi$ or $y = (2k + 1) \pi - x$ for some integer $k.$ ...
\frac{1}{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 ...
\frac{\sqrt{21}}{14}
How 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 <...
10
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} +...
\sqrt{2}
If $5(\cos a + \cos b) + 4(\cos a \cos b + 1) = 0,$ then find all possible values of \[\tan \frac{a}{2} \tan \frac{b}{2}.\]Enter all the possible values, separated by commas.
Let $x = \tan \frac{a}{2}.$ Then \[x^2 = \tan^2 \frac{a}{2} = \frac{\sin^2 \frac{a}{2}}{\cos^2 \frac{a}{2}} = \frac{\frac{1 - \cos a}{2}}{\frac{1 + \cos a}{2}} = \frac{1 - \cos a}{1 + \cos a}.\]Solving for $\cos a,$ we find \[\cos a = \frac{1 - x^2}{1 + x^2}.\]Similarly, if we let $y = \tan \frac{b}{2},$ then \[\cos b...
3,-3
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^\...
\frac{45}{2}
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...
\begin{pmatrix} -40/29 \\ 16/29 \end{pmatrix}
The volume of the parallelepiped determined by the three-dimensional 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}...
80
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)...
3 \sqrt{5} + 2 \sqrt{10}
Find the smallest positive solution to \[\tan 2x + \tan 3x = \sec 3x\]in radians.
From the given equation, \[\tan 2x = \sec 3x - \tan 3x = \frac{1}{\cos 3x} - \frac{\sin 3x}{\cos 3x} = \frac{1 - \sin 3x}{\cos 3x}.\]Recall the identity \[\tan \frac{\theta}{2} = \frac{1 - \cos \theta}{\sin \theta}.\]Thus, \[\frac{1 - \sin 3x}{\cos 3x} = \frac{1 - \cos (\frac{\pi}{2} - 3x)}{\sin (\frac{\pi}{2} - 3x)} =...
\frac{\pi}{14}
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...
\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}
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 \[...
0
Let $\mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 4 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\mathbf{b} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}.$ Find the unit vector $\mathbf{v}$ so that $\mathbf{b}$ bisects the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{v}.$
Note that $\|\mathbf{a}\| = 5,$ so $\mathbf{b}$ is collinear with the midpoint of $\mathbf{a}$ and $5 \mathbf{v}.$ In other words, \[\mathbf{b} = k \cdot \frac{\mathbf{a} + 5 \mathbf{v}}{2}\]for some scalar $k.$ [asy] import three; size(180); currentprojection = perspective(3,6,2); triple I = (1,0,0), J = (0,1,0), ...
\begin{pmatrix} -11/15 \\ -2/3 \\ -2/15 \end{pmatrix}
Let $\theta$ be the angle between the line \[\frac{x + 1}{2} = \frac{y}{3} = \frac{z - 3}{6}\]and the plane $-10x - 2y + 11z = 3.$ Find $\sin \theta.$ [asy] import three; size(150); currentprojection = perspective(6,3,2); triple I = (1,0,0), J = (0,1,0), K = (0,0,1), O = (0,0,0); draw(surface((2*I + 2*J)--(2*I - 2...
The direction vector of the line is $\mathbf{d} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \\ 6 \end{pmatrix},$ and the normal vector to the plane is $\mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} -10 \\ -2 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}.$ Note that if $\theta$ is the angle between $\mathbf{d}$ in the plane, then the angle between $\mathbf{d}$ and $\mathbf{n}$ is...
\frac{8}{21}
Let $f$ be the function defined by $f(x) = -2 \sin(\pi x)$. How many values of $x$ such that $-2 \le x \le 2$ satisfy the equation $f(f(f(x))) = f(x)$?
The graph of $y = f(x)$ is shown below. [asy] unitsize(1.5 cm); real func (real x) { return (-2*sin(pi*x)); } draw(graph(func,-2,2),red); draw((-2.5,0)--(2.5,0)); draw((0,-2.5)--(0,2.5)); draw((1,-0.1)--(1,0.1)); draw((2,-0.1)--(2,0.1)); draw((-1,-0.1)--(-1,0.1)); draw((-2,-0.1)--(-2,0.1)); draw((-0.1,1)--(0.1,1)...
61
Find the maximum value of \[y = \tan \left( x + \frac{2 \pi}{3} \right) - \tan \left( x + \frac{\pi}{6} \right) + \cos \left( x + \frac{\pi}{6} \right)\]for $-\frac{5 \pi}{12} \le x \le -\frac{\pi}{3}.$
Let $z = -x - \frac{\pi}{6}.$ Then $\frac{\pi}{6} \le z \le \frac{\pi}{4},$ and $\frac{\pi}{3} \le 2z \le \frac{\pi}{2}.$ Also, \[\tan \left( x + \frac{2 \pi}{3} \right) = \tan \left( \frac{\pi}{2} - z \right) = \cot z,\]so \begin{align*} y &= \cot z + \tan z + \cos z \\ &= \frac{\cos z}{\sin z} + \frac{\sin z}{\cos ...
\frac{11 \sqrt{3}}{6}
The equation of the line joining the complex numbers $-2 + 3i$ and $1 + i$ can be expressed in the form \[az + b \overline{z} = 10\]for some complex numbers $a$ and $b$. Find the product $ab$.
Solution 1: Let $u = -2 + 3i$ and $v = 1 + i$, and let $z$ lie on the line joining $u$ and $v.$ Then \[\frac{z - u}{v - u}\]is real. But a complex number is real if and only if it is equal to its conjugate, which gives us the equation \[\frac{z - u}{v - u} = \frac{\overline{z} - \overline{u}}{\overline{v} - \overline...
13
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...
\begin{pmatrix} -34/53 \\ 119/53 \end{pmatrix}
Let $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ $\mathbf{c}$ be vectors, and let $D$ be the determinant of the matrix whose column vectors are $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ and $\mathbf{c}.$ Then the determinant of the matrix whose column vectors are $\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b},$ $\mathbf{b} \times \mathbf{c},$ and $\mathbf{c} \times...
The determinant $D$ is given by $\mathbf{a} \cdot (\mathbf{b} \times \mathbf{c}).$ Let $D'$ be the determinant of the matrix whose column vectors are $\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b},$ $\mathbf{b} \times \mathbf{c},$ and $\mathbf{c} \times \mathbf{a}.$ Then \[D' = (\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b}) \cdot ((\mathbf{b} \times...
(1,2)
In 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((225-144-25)/120))*(M-D)); CC =...
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]...
8\sqrt{3}
There are two straight lines, each of which passes through four points of the form $(1,0,a), (b,1,0), (0,c,1),$ and $(6d,6d,-d),$ where $a,b,c,$ and $d$ are real numbers, not necessarily in that order. Enter all possible values of $d,$ separated by commas.
Let $\mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ a \end{pmatrix},$ $\mathbf{b} = \begin{pmatrix} b \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix},$ $\mathbf{c} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ c \\ 1 \end{pmatrix},$ and $\mathbf{d} = \begin{pmatrix} 6d \\ 6d \\ -d \end{pmatrix}.$ For these to be collinear, the following vectors must be proportional: \begi...
\frac{1}{3}, \frac{1}{8}
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 +...
2,4
In 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}}...
\frac{2535}{463}
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...
\sqrt{5}
The equation $\sin^2 x + \sin^2 2x + \sin^2 3x + \sin^2 4x = 2$ can be reduced to the equivalent equation \[\cos ax \cos bx \cos cx = 0,\]for some positive integers $a,$ $b,$ and $c.$ Find $a + b + c.$
From the double angle formula, \[\frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} + \frac{1 - \cos 4x}{2} + \frac{1 - \cos 6x}{2} + \frac{1 - \cos 8x}{2} = 2,\]so $\cos 2x + \cos 4x + \cos 6x + \cos 8x = 0.$ Then by sum-to-product, \[\cos 2x + \cos 8x = 2 \cos 5x \cos 3x\]and \[\cos 4x + \cos 6x = 2 \cos 5x \cos x,\]so \[2 \cos 5x \cos 3x + 2 \...
8
A prism is constructed so that its vertical edges are parallel to the $z$-axis. Its cross-section is a square of side length 10. [asy] import three; size(180); currentprojection = perspective(6,3,2); triple A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H; A = (1,1,0); B = (1,-1,0); C = (-1,-1,0); D = (-1,1,0); E = A + (0,0,1); F = B + (0,...
We can assume that the square base is centered at $(0,0,0).$ All the vertices of the base lie on a circle with radius $\frac{10}{\sqrt{2}} = 5 \sqrt{2},$ so we can assume that the vertices of the base are \begin{align*} A &= (5 \sqrt{2} \cos \theta, 5 \sqrt{2} \sin \theta), \\ B &= (-5 \sqrt{2} \sin \theta, 5 \sqrt{2}...
225
Let $\mathbf{p}$ and $\mathbf{q}$ be two three-dimensional 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...
\frac{3}{4}
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} ...
-1
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 ...
[2,12)
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...
\frac{x^2}{4} - 1
For all real numbers $x$ except $x=0$ and $x=1$ the function $f(x)$ is defined by \[f \left( \frac{x}{x - 1} \right) = \frac{1}{x}.\]Suppose $0\leq t\leq \frac{\pi}{2}$. What is the value of $f(\sec^2t)$?
First, we must solve \[\frac{x}{x - 1} = \sec^2 t.\]Solving for $x,$ we find $x = \frac{\sec^2 t}{\sec^2 t - 1}.$ Then \[f(\sec^2 t) = \frac{1}{x} = \frac{\sec^2 t - 1}{\sec^2 t} = 1 - \cos^2 t = \boxed{\sin^2 t}.\]
\sin^2 t
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) ...
\sqrt{3} - 1
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...
54^\circ
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...
-\frac{1}{2}
A certain regular tetrahedron has three of its vertices at the points $(0,1,2),$ $(4,2,1),$ and $(3,1,5).$ Find the coordinates of the fourth vertex, given that they are also all integers.
The side length of the regular tetrahedron is the distance between $(0,1,2)$ and $(4,2,1),$ which is \[\sqrt{(0 - 4)^2 + (1 - 2)^2 + (2 - 1)^2} = \sqrt{18} = 3 \sqrt{2}.\]So if $(x,y,z)$ is the fourth vertex, with integer coordinates, then \begin{align*} x^2 + (y - 1)^2 + (z - 2)^2 &= 18, \\ (x - 4)^2 + (y - 2)^2 + (z ...
(3,-2,2)
Find the range of the function \[f(x) = \left( \arccos \frac{x}{2} \right)^2 + \pi \arcsin \frac{x}{2} - \left( \arcsin \frac{x}{2} \right)^2 + \frac{\pi^2}{12} (x^2 + 6x + 8).\]
First, we claim that $\arccos x + \arcsin x = \frac{\pi}{2}$ for all $x \in [-1,1].$ Note that \[\cos \left( \frac{\pi}{2} - \arcsin x \right) = \cos (\arccos x) = x.\]Furthermore, $-\frac{\pi}{2} \le \arcsin x \le \frac{\pi}{2},$ so $0 \le \frac{\pi}{2} - \arcsin x \le \pi.$ Therefore, \[\frac{\pi}{2} - \arcsin x = ...
\left[ \frac{\pi^2}{4}, \frac{9 \pi^2}{4} \right]
In the diagram below, $\|\overrightarrow{OA}\| = 1,$ $\|\overrightarrow{OB}\| = 1,$ and $\|\overrightarrow{OC}\| = \sqrt{2}.$ Also, $\tan \angle AOC = 7$ and $\angle BOC = 45^\circ.$ [asy] unitsize(2 cm); pair A, B, C, O; A = (1,0); B = (-0.6,0.8); C = (0.2,1.4); O = (0,0); draw(O--A,Arrow(6)); draw(O--B,Arrow(6))...
By constructing a right triangle with adjacent side 1, opposite side 7, and hypotenuse $\sqrt{1^2 + 7^2} = 5 \sqrt{2}$, we see that \[\cos \angle AOC = \frac{1}{5 \sqrt{2}} \quad \text{and} \quad \sin \angle AOC = \frac{7}{5 \sqrt{2}}.\]Then \begin{align*} \cos \angle AOB &= \cos (\angle AOC + \angle BOC) \\ &= \cos \a...
\left( \frac{5}{4}, \frac{7}{4} \right)
Find the least positive integer $n$ such that $$\frac 1{\sin 45^\circ\sin 46^\circ}+\frac 1{\sin 47^\circ\sin 48^\circ}+\cdots+\frac 1{\sin 133^\circ\sin 134^\circ}=\frac 1{\sin n^\circ}.$$
Each term is of the form $\frac{1}{\sin k^\circ \sin (k + 1)^\circ}.$ To deal with this term, we look at $\sin ((k + 1)^\circ - k^\circ).$ From the angle subtraction formula, \[\sin ((k + 1)^\circ - k^\circ) = \sin (k + 1)^\circ \cos k^\circ - \cos (k + 1)^\circ \sin k^\circ.\]Then \begin{align*} \frac{\sin 1^\circ}{...
1
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;...
-\frac{53}{55}
Let $P$ be a plane passing through the origin. When $\begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 3 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix}$ is projected onto plane $P,$ the result is $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 5 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.$ When $\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 0 \\ 7 \end{pmatrix}$ is projected onto plane $P,$ what is the result?
The vector pointing from $\begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 3 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix}$ to $\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 5 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ is $\begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ 2 \\ -4 \end{pmatrix}.$ Scaling, we can take $\mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}$ as the normal vector of plane $P.$ Thus, the equation of plane $P$ is \[x...
\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}
Find the sum of all positive real solutions $x$ to the equation \[2\cos2x \left(\cos2x - \cos{\left( \frac{2014\pi^2}{x} \right) } \right) = \cos4x - 1,\]where $x$ is measured in radians.
Let $x = \frac{\pi y}{2}.$ Then the given equation becomes \[2 \cos (\pi y) \left( \cos (\pi y) - \cos \left( \frac{4028 \pi}{y} \right) \right) = \cos (2 \pi y) - 1.\]By the double-angle formula, \[2 \cos (\pi y) \left( \cos (\pi y) - \cos \left( \frac{4028 \pi}{y} \right) \right) = -2 \sin^2 (\pi y).\]Dividing by 2 ...
1080 \pi
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 ...
2865
If $a_0 = \sin^2 \left( \frac{\pi}{45} \right)$ 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 ...
12
Let \[f(x) = (\arccos x)^3 + (\arcsin x)^3.\]Find the range of $f(x).$ All functions are in radians.
First, we claim that $\arccos x + \arcsin x = \frac{\pi}{2}$ for all $x \in [-1,1].$ Note that \[\cos \left( \frac{\pi}{2} - \arcsin x \right) = \cos (\arccos x) = x.\]Furthermore, $-\frac{\pi}{2} \le \arcsin x \le \frac{\pi}{2},$ so $0 \le \frac{\pi}{2} - \arcsin x \le \pi.$ Therefore, \[\frac{\pi}{2} - \arcsin x = ...
\left[ \frac{\pi^3}{32}, \frac{7 \pi^3}{8} \right]
$ABCDE$ is inscribed in a circle with $AB = BC = CD = DE = 4$ and $AE = 1.$ Compute $(1 - \cos \angle B)(1 - \cos \angle ACE).$
By symmetry, $AC = CE.$ Let $x = AC = CE.$ [asy] unitsize(1 cm); pair A, B, C, D, E; A = (0,0); E = (1,0); C = intersectionpoint(arc(A,5.89199,0,180),arc(E,5.89199,0,180)); B = intersectionpoint(arc(A,4,90,180),arc(C,4,180,270)); D = intersectionpoint(arc(E,4,0,90),arc(C,4,270,360)); draw(A--B--C--D--E--cycle); dr...
\frac{1}{64}
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 \...
\sqrt{x^2 - 1}
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...
\frac{124}{13}