1983 AIME Problem 2

Attempt Problem 2 of the 1983 AIME below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1983 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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2.

Let f(x)=xp+x15f(x)=|x-p|+|x-15| +xp15,{}+|x-p-15|, where 0<p<15.0<p<15. Determine the minimum value taken by f(x)f(x) for xx in the interval px15.p\leq x\leq15.

Answer: 15
Concepts:absolute valueoptimization
Difficulty rating: 1590
Small Hint:

Determine the sign of each expression inside an absolute value on the given interval

Big Hint:

On px15,p\leq x\leq15, simplify f(x)f(x) to a decreasing linear function

Solution:

Since px15,p\leq x\leq15, we have xp=xp,x15=15x,xp15=p+15x. \begin{aligned} |x-p|&=x-p,\\ |x-15|&=15-x,\\ |x-p-15|&=p+15-x. \end{aligned} Hence f(x)=30x.f(x)=30-x. This is minimized at the right endpoint x=15,x=15, where its value is 15.15.

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