1986 AIME Problem 2

Attempt Problem 2 of the 1986 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 1986 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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2.

Evaluate the product (5+6+7)(5+6+7)(56+7)(5+67). \begin{gathered} (\sqrt5+\sqrt6+\sqrt7)\\ {}\cdot(-\sqrt5+\sqrt6+\sqrt7)\\ {}\cdot(\sqrt5-\sqrt6+\sqrt7)\\ {}\cdot(\sqrt5+\sqrt6-\sqrt7). \end{gathered}

Answer: 104
Concepts:algebraic manipulationdifference of squaresradical
Difficulty rating: 1890
Small Hint:

Pair factors so that each pair is a difference of squares

Big Hint:

After the first pairing, the remaining radicals occur only through 42\sqrt{42}

Solution:

Pair the first two factors, then the last two: (6+7)2(5)2=8+242,(5)2(76)2=8+242. \begin{gathered} (\sqrt6+\sqrt7)^2-(\sqrt5)^2\\ {}=8+2\sqrt{42},\\ (\sqrt5)^2-(\sqrt7-\sqrt6)^2\\ {}=-8+2\sqrt{42}. \end{gathered} Therefore the requested product is (8+242)(8+242)=16864=104. \begin{aligned} &(8+2\sqrt{42})(-8+2\sqrt{42})\\ &\qquad=168-64=104. \end{aligned}

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