1987 AIME Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 1987 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 1987 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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8.

What is the largest positive integer nn for which there is a unique integer kk such that 815<nn+k<713?\frac8{15}<\frac{n}{n+k}<\frac7{13}?

Answer: 112
Concepts:inequalityfractionbounding to limit cases
Difficulty rating: 1860
Small Hint:

Solve both inequalities for kk

Big Hint:

Study the integers in the open interval (6n7,7n8)(\frac{6n}{7},\frac{7n}{8})

Solution:

The inequalities are equivalent to 6n7<k<7n8.\frac{6n}{7}<k<\frac{7n}{8}. This interval has length n56.\frac{n}{56}. At n=112n=112 it is (96,98),(96,98), containing only 97.97. For n>112n>112 its length exceeds 2,2, so it contains at least two integers. Thus the largest possible nn is 112.112.

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