1983 AIME Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 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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9.

Find the minimum value of 9x2sin2x+4xsinx \frac{9x^2\sin^2x+4}{x\sin x} for 0<x<π.0<x<\pi.

Answer: 12
Concepts:AM-GM Inequalitytrigonometryoptimization
Difficulty rating: 2300
Small Hint:

Set t=xsinx,t=x\sin x, which is positive on the given interval

Big Hint:

Apply AM-GM to 9t+4t9t+\frac4t and verify that equality is attainable

Solution:

Let t=xsinx>0.t=x\sin x>0. The expression becomes 9t+4t29t4t=12, 9t+\frac4t\geq2\sqrt{9t\cdot\frac4t}=12, with equality when 9t=4t,9t=\frac{4}{t}, or t=23.t=\frac{2}{3}. The continuous function xsinxx\sin x tends to 00 as xx tends to 00 and equals π2>23\frac{\pi}{2}>\frac{2}{3} at x=π2.x=\frac{\pi}{2}. Thus it takes the value 23\frac{2}{3} somewhere in (0,π2),(0,\frac{\pi}{2}), so the lower bound 1212 is attained.

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