2002 AIME II Problem 11
Attempt Problem 11 of the 2002 AIME II 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 2002 AIME II solutions, or check the answer key.
All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).
11.
Two distinct, real, infinite geometric series each have a sum of and have the same second term. The third term of one of the series is and the second term of both series can be written in the form where and are positive integers and is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find
Answer: 518
Solution:
A geometric series with ratio and sum has first term so its second term is If the two ratios are and then gives and since the series are distinct, forcing
Say the series with ratio has third term i.e. Substituting gives The root makes (the series would coincide), and forces which diverges. So
The common second term is so and
Problem 11 in Other Years
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