1995 AIME Solutions

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All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

1.

Square S1S_1 is 1×1.1\times1. For i1,i\geq1, the lengths of the sides of square Si+1S_{i+1} are half the lengths of the sides of square Si,S_i, two adjacent sides of square SiS_i are perpendicular bisectors of two adjacent sides of square Si+1,S_{i+1}, and the other two sides of square Si+1S_{i+1} are the perpendicular bisectors of two adjacent sides of square Si+2.S_{i+2}. The total area enclosed by at least one of S1,S_1, S2,S_2, S3,S_3, S4,S_4, S5S_5 can be written in the form mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. Find mn.m-n.

Concepts:geometric sequenceareainclusion-exclusion
Difficulty rating: 1900
Small Hint:

Each square has one fourth the area of the preceding square

Big Hint:

Adjacent squares overlap in one fourth of the smaller square, and nonadjacent interiors do not overlap

Solution:

The sum of the five square areas is 1+14+116+164+1256=13641024.\begin{aligned}1+\frac14+\frac1{16}&+\frac1{64}+\frac1{256}\\&=\frac{1364}{1024}.\end{aligned} The perpendicular-bisector placement makes the overlap of each adjacent pair one fourth of the smaller square. These four overlaps are disjoint and have total area 116+164+1256+11024=851024.\begin{aligned}\frac1{16}+\frac1{64}&+\frac1{256}+\frac1{1024}\\&=\frac{85}{1024}.\end{aligned} Thus the union has area 1364851024=12791024,\frac{1364-85}{1024}=\frac{1279}{1024}, and mn=12791024=255.m-n=1279-1024=255.

2.

Find the last three digits of the product of the positive roots of 1995xlog1995x=x2.\sqrt{1995}\,x^{\log_{1995}x}=x^2.

Difficulty rating: 1780
Small Hint:

Set y=log1995x,y=\log_{1995}x, so x=1995yx=1995^y

Big Hint:

Compare exponents of 19951995, then use the sum of the two values of yy

Solution:

Put y=log1995x,y=\log_{1995}x, so x=1995y.x=1995^y. The equation becomes 199512+y2=19952y,1995^{\frac{1}{2}+y^2}=1995^{2y}, and hence (y1)2=12.(y-1)^2=\frac{1}{2}. The two values of yy have sum 2,2, so the product of the corresponding positive roots is 19952.1995^2. Since 19955(mod1000),1995\equiv-5\pmod {1000}, its last three digits are 025.025. The requested AIME answer is 25.25.

3.

Starting at (0,0),(0,0), an object moves in the coordinate plane via a sequence of steps, each of length one. Each step is left, right, up, or down, all four equally likely. Let pp be the probability that the object reaches (2,2)(2,2) in six or fewer steps. Given that pp can be written in the form mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers, find m+n.m+n.

Difficulty rating: 1850
Small Hint:

The target can first be reached only after 44 or 66 steps

Big Hint:

From the six-step paths ending at the target, subtract those that already arrived at step 44

Solution:

There are (42)=6\binom42=6 four-step paths to (2,2).(2,2). There are 60+60=12060+60=120 six-step paths ending there: the extra opposite pair is either left-right or down-up. Of these, 64=246\cdot4=24 first reach the target at step 44 and then make a two-step return. Therefore p=644+1202446=364.p=\frac6{4^4}+\frac{120-24}{4^6}=\frac3{64}. Thus m+n=3+64=67.m+n=3+64=67.

4.

Circles of radius 33 and 66 are externally tangent to each other and are internally tangent to a circle of radius 9.9. The circle of radius 99 has a chord that is a common external tangent of the other two circles. Find the square of the length of this chord.

Difficulty rating: 1940
Small Hint:

The three circle centers are collinear because their pairwise distances are 6,6, 3,3, and 99

Big Hint:

Use signed distances from the two smaller centers to the common tangent to find its distance from the large center

Solution:

Put the radius-99 circle at the origin and the smaller centers at (6,0)(-6,0) and (3,0).(3,0). Write the common external tangent as n(x,y)=c,\mathbf n\cdot(x,y)=c, where n\mathbf n is a unit normal. Its signed distances from the two centers differ by 63=3,6-3=3, so 9nx=39n_x=3 and nx=13.n_x=\frac{1}{3}. Using the distance 33 from (6,0)(-6,0) gives c=5.|c|=5. Thus the chord lies 55 units from the large center, and its squared length is 4(9252)=456=224.4(9^2-5^2)=4\cdot56=224.

5.

For certain real values of a,a, b,b, c,c, and d,d, the equation x4+ax3+bx2+cx+d=0x^4+ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0 has four non-real roots. The product of two of these roots is 13+i13+i and the sum of the other two roots is 3+4i,3+4i, where i=1.i=\sqrt{-1}. Find b.b.

Difficulty rating: 2110
Small Hint:

Because the polynomial has real coefficients, its non-real roots occur in conjugate pairs

Big Hint:

Group the six pairwise products into the products within the two groups and the four cross-products

Solution:

Let the first two roots be α\alpha and β.\beta. Since αβ=13+i\alpha\beta=13+i is not real, they are not conjugates, so the other roots are α\overline\alpha and β.\overline\beta. Hence α+β=34i\alpha+\beta=3-4i and αβ=13i.\overline\alpha\,\overline\beta=13-i. By Vieta’s formulas, b=αβ+αβ+(34i)(3+4i)=26+25=51.\begin{aligned}b&=\alpha\beta+\overline\alpha\,\overline\beta\\&\quad+(3-4i)(3+4i)\\&=26+25=51.\end{aligned}

6.

Let n=231319.n=2^{31}3^{19}. How many positive integer divisors of n2n^2 are less than nn but do not divide n?n?

Difficulty rating: 2270
Small Hint:

Pair each divisor dd of n2n^2 with n2d\frac{n^2}{d}

Big Hint:

Among the divisors below nn, subtract those that already divide nn

Solution:

The number n2=262338n^2=2^{62}3^{38} has 6339=245763\cdot39=2457 divisors. Pairing dd with n2d\frac{n^2}{d} leaves only nn unpaired, so 245712=1228\frac{2457-1}{2}=1228 divisors lie below n.n. The number nn has 3220=64032\cdot20=640 divisors, of which 639639 are below n.n. Therefore the requested count is 1228639=589.1228-639=589.

7.

Given that (1+sint)(1+cost)=54(1+\sin t)(1+\cos t)=\frac54 and (1sint)(1cost)=mnk,\begin{aligned}(1-\sin t)&(1-\cos t)\\&=\frac mn-\sqrt k,\end{aligned} where k,k, m,m, and nn are positive integers with mm and nn relatively prime, find k+m+n.k+m+n.

Difficulty rating: 1900
Small Hint:

Set u=sint+costu=\sin t+\cos t and express sintcost\sin t\cos t in terms of uu

Big Hint:

Both given products become half of a perfect square in uu

Solution:

Let u=sint+cost.u=\sin t+\cos t. Since sintcost=u212,\sin t\cos t=\frac{u^2-1}{2}, (1+sint)(1+cost)=(u+1)22=54.\begin{aligned}(1+\sin t)&(1+\cos t)\\&=\frac{(u+1)^2}{2}=\frac54.\end{aligned} The feasible sign gives u+1=52.u+1=\sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}. Therefore (1sint)(1cost)=(1u)22=13410.\begin{aligned}(1-\sin t)&(1-\cos t)\\&=\frac{(1-u)^2}{2}\\&=\frac{13}{4}-\sqrt{10}.\end{aligned} Thus k+m+n=10+13+4=27.k+m+n=10+13+4=27.

8.

For how many ordered pairs of positive integers (x,y),(x,y), with y<x100,y<x\leq100, are both xy\frac{x}{y} and x+1y+1\frac{x+1}{y+1} integers?

Difficulty rating: 2060
Small Hint:

Write x=ayx=ay and reduce x+1x+1 modulo y+1y+1

Big Hint:

The quotient aa must have the form 1+t(y+1)1+t(y+1); count the possible positive values of tt

Solution:

Write x=ay.x=ay. Modulo y+1,y+1, we have y1,y\equiv-1, so x+1x+1 is divisible by y+1y+1 exactly when a1(mody+1).a\equiv1\pmod {y+1}. Since x>y,x>y, write a=1+t(y+1)a=1+t(y+1) with t1.t\geq1. The bound x100x\leq100 becomes t100yy(y+1).t\leq\left\lfloor\frac{100-y}{y(y+1)}\right\rfloor. Only 1y91\leq y\leq9 contribute, giving 49+16+8+4+3+2+1+1+1=85.\begin{aligned}49+16+8&+4+3\\&+2+1+1+1\\&=85.\end{aligned}

9.

Triangle ABCABC is isosceles, with AB=ACAB=AC and altitude AM=11.AM=11. Suppose that there is a point DD on AM\overline{AM} with AD=10AD=10 and BDC=3BAC.\angle BDC=3\angle BAC. Then the perimeter of ABC\triangle ABC may be written in the form a+b,a+\sqrt b, where aa and bb are integers. Find a+b.a+b.

Difficulty rating: 2170
Small Hint:

Let BM=xBM=x and let half the apex angle be α\alpha

Big Hint:

Use tanα=x11,\tan\alpha=\frac{x}{11}, DM=1,DM=1, and the triple-angle formula for tangent

Solution:

Let BM=xBM=x and α=BAM,\alpha=\angle BAM, so tanα=x11.\tan\alpha=\frac{x}{11}. Because DM=AMAD=1,DM=AM-AD=1, symmetry gives BDC=2arctanx,\angle BDC=2\arctan x, while BAC=2α.\angle BAC=2\alpha. Hence arctanx=3α.\arctan x=3\alpha. Put t=tanα=x11.t=\tan\alpha=\frac{x}{11}. Then 3tt313t2=11t,\frac{3t-t^3}{1-3t^2}=11t, so t2=14t^2=\frac{1}{4} and x=112.x=\frac{11}{2}. Thus BC=11BC=11 and AB=1152,AB=\frac{11\sqrt5}{2}, making the perimeter 11+115=11+605.11+11\sqrt5=11+\sqrt{605}. Therefore a+b=11+605=616.a+b=11+605=616.

10.

What is the largest positive integer that is not the sum of a positive integral multiple of 4242 and a positive composite integer?

Difficulty rating: 2110
Small Hint:

For each residue modulo 4242, find the smallest positive composite integer in that residue

Big Hint:

Once one number in a residue class is representable, every number 4242 larger in that class is representable

Solution:

A number in residue class r(mod42)r\pmod {42} is representable once it exceeds the first positive composite in that class by a positive multiple of 42.42. Composite residues rr themselves supply that first value. For the remaining residues, suitable first composites are 0:42, 1:85, 2:44,3:45, 5:215, 7:49,11:95, 13:55, 17:143,19:145, 23:65, 29:155,31:115, 37:121, 41:125.\begin{aligned}&0:42,\ 1:85,\ 2:44,\\&3:45,\ 5:215,\ 7:49,\\&11:95,\ 13:55,\ 17:143,\\&19:145,\ 23:65,\ 29:155,\\&31:115,\ 37:121,\ 41:125.\end{aligned} The largest entry is 215,215, and 21542,215-42, 21584,215-84, 215126,215-126, 215168,215-168, and 215210215-210 are all prime. Hence 215215 is not representable, while every larger integer is.

11.

A right rectangular prism PP (i.e., a rectangular parallelepiped) has sides of integral length a,a, b,b, c,c, with abc.a\leq b\leq c. A plane parallel to one of the faces of PP cuts PP into two prisms, one of which is similar to P,P, and both of which have nonzero volume. Given that b=1995,b=1995, for how many ordered triples (a,b,c)(a,b,c) does such a plane exist?

Difficulty rating: 2270
Small Hint:

Sort the three side lengths of the smaller prism and compare them in order with a,a, b,b, and cc

Big Hint:

The two unchanged dimensions force a1995=1995c\frac{a}{1995}=\frac{1995}{c}

Solution:

Let the similar smaller prism have sorted sides xyz.x\leq y\leq z. It shares two side lengths with P,P, and all three of its sorted sides are smaller than the corresponding sides of P.P. The only possible matching is y=ay=a and z=b=1995.z=b=1995. Similarity then gives xa=a1995=1995c,\frac{x}{a}=\frac{a}{1995}=\frac{1995}{c}, so ac=19952.ac=1995^2. Conversely every factor pair a<ca<c gives a nondegenerate cut. Since 1995=35719,1995=3\cdot5\cdot7\cdot19, its square has 34=813^4=81 divisors. Excluding the central pair a=c=1995a=c=1995 and taking one divisor from each remaining pair gives 8112=40.\frac{81-1}{2}=40.

12.

Pyramid OABCDOABCD has square base ABCD,ABCD, congruent edges OA,\overline{OA}, OB,\overline{OB}, OC,\overline{OC}, and OD,\overline{OD}, and AOB=45.\angle AOB=45^\circ. Let θ\theta be the measure of the dihedral angle formed by faces OABOAB and OBC.OBC. Given that cosθ=m+n,\cos\theta=m+\sqrt n, where mm and nn are integers, find m+n.m+n.

Difficulty rating: 2450
Small Hint:

Place the square’s vertices at (±1,±1,0)(\pm1,\pm1,0) and the apex at (0,0,h)(0,0,h)

Big Hint:

Find h2h^2 from AOB,\angle AOB, then take the supplement of the angle between suitable face normals

Solution:

Take adjacent base vertices A=(1,1,0),A=(1,1,0), B=(1,1,0),B=(-1,1,0), C=(1,1,0)C=(-1,-1,0) and O=(0,0,h).O=(0,0,h). From AOB=45,\angle AOB=45^\circ, h2h2+2=12,h2=2+22.\begin{aligned}\frac{h^2}{h^2+2}&=\frac1{\sqrt2},\\h^2&=2+2\sqrt2.\end{aligned} Normals to the two faces may be taken as (0,2h,2)(0,2h,2) and (2h,0,2).(-2h,0,2). Their acute angle has cosine 1h2+1=322.\frac{1}{h^2+1}=3-2\sqrt2. The interior dihedral angle is its supplement, so cosθ=223=3+8.\cos\theta=2\sqrt2-3=-3+\sqrt8. Thus m+n=3+8=5.m+n=-3+8=5.

13.

Let f(n)f(n) be the integer closest to n4.\sqrt[4]{n}. Find k=119951f(k).\sum_{k=1}^{1995}\frac1{f(k)}.

Difficulty rating: 1940
Small Hint:

Count the integers nn for which j12<n4<j+12j-\tfrac12<\sqrt[4]n<j+\tfrac12

Big Hint:

The number of occurrences of f(n)=jf(n)=j simplifies to 4j3+j4j^3+j

Solution:

For j1,j\geq1, the number of positive integers nn for which f(n)=jf(n)=j is (j+12)4(j12)4=4j3+j.\begin{aligned}\left(j+\frac12\right)^4&-\left(j-\frac12\right)^4\\&=4j^3+j.\end{aligned} For j=1,,6,j=1,\ldots,6, these account for j=16(4j3+j)=1785\sum_{j=1}^6(4j^3+j)=1785 values, and their contribution to the requested sum is j=164j3+jj=4j=16j2+6=370.\begin{aligned}\sum_{j=1}^6\frac{4j^3+j}{j}&=4\sum_{j=1}^6j^2+6\\&=370.\end{aligned} The remaining 19951785=2101995-1785=210 values have f(n)=7,f(n)=7, contributing 30.30. The total is 400.400.

14.

In a circle of radius 42,42, two chords of length 7878 intersect at a point whose distance from the center is 18.18. The two chords divide the interior of the circle into four regions. Two of these regions are bordered by segments of unequal lengths, and the area of either of them can be expressed uniquely in the form mπnd,m\pi-n\sqrt d, where m,m, n,n, and dd are positive integers and dd is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find m+n+d.m+n+d.

Difficulty rating: 2650
Small Hint:

Each chord is 939\sqrt3 from the center, so determine the two possible line directions through the intersection point

Big Hint:

The unequal chord segments have lengths 3030 and 48,48, and their endpoints subtend 6060^\circ at the center

Solution:

Put the center at O=(0,0)O=(0,0) and the intersection at P=(18,0).P=(18,0). A length-7878 chord is 939\sqrt3 from O,O, so a line through PP containing such a chord makes angle 6060^\circ or 120120^\circ with OP.OP. Solving along either line gives segment lengths 3030 and 48.48.

For either region bordered by unequal segments, the two arc endpoints subtend 6060^\circ at O.O. Its area is the sector minus OAB\triangle OAB plus PAB:\triangle PAB: 60360π(42)212(42)2sin60+12(30)(48)sin60=294π813.\begin{aligned}\frac{60}{360}\pi(42)^2&-\frac12(42)^2\sin60^\circ\\&+\frac12(30)(48)\sin60^\circ\\&=294\pi-81\sqrt3.\end{aligned} Hence m+n+d=378.m+n+d=378.

15.

Let pp be the probability that, in the process of repeatedly flipping a fair coin, one will encounter a run of 55 heads before one encounters a run of 22 tails. Given that pp can be written in the form mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers, find m+n.m+n.

Difficulty rating: 2210
Small Hint:

Use states for 0,0, 1,1, 2,2, 3,3, and 44 consecutive heads and one separate state for a single trailing tail

Big Hint:

Express every head-run state’s success probability in terms of the trailing-tail state

Solution:

Let qiq_i be the success probability with ii consecutive heads and no trailing tail, and let tt be the probability after one tail. Then qi=qi+1+t2(0i<4),q4=1+t2,t=q12.\begin{aligned}q_i&=\frac{q_{i+1}+t}{2}\quad(0\leq i<4),\\q_4&=\frac{1+t}{2},\\t&=\frac{q_1}{2}.\end{aligned} Working backward gives q1=1+15t16.q_1=\frac{1+15t}{16}. Since q1=2t,q_1=2t, we get t=117t=\frac{1}{17} and q1=217.q_1=\frac{2}{17}. Therefore p=q0=q1+t2=334,p=q_0=\frac{q_1+t}{2}=\frac3{34}, so m+n=3+34=37.m+n=3+34=37.