1990 AIME Problem 2

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2.

Find the value of (52+643)32(52643)32.\begin{aligned}&(52+6\sqrt{43})^{\frac{3}{2}}\\&\quad-(52-6\sqrt{43})^{\frac{3}{2}}.\end{aligned}

Answer: 828
Concepts:radicalperfect squaresum and difference of cubes
Difficulty rating: 1750
Small Hint:

Express 52±64352\pm6\sqrt{43} as squares of conjugate radical expressions

Big Hint:

After taking the 32\frac{3}{2} powers, expand the difference of the two cubes symmetrically

Solution:

Since 52±643=(43±3)252\pm6\sqrt{43}=(\sqrt{43}\pm3)^2 and 43>3,\sqrt{43}\gt3, the expression is (43+3)3(433)3.(\sqrt{43}+3)^3-(\sqrt{43}-3)^3. Using (x+y)3(xy)3=6x2y+2y3(x+y)^3-(x-y)^3=6x^2y+2y^3 with x=43x=\sqrt{43} and y=3y=3 gives 6(43)(3)+2(27)=774+54=828.\begin{aligned}6(43)(3)+2(27)&=774+54\\&=828.\end{aligned}

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