2005 AIME II Problem 3

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 3 of the 2005 AIME II, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2005 AIME II solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:geometric sequencedifference of squares

Difficulty rating: 2070

3.

An infinite geometric series has sum 2005.2005. A new series, obtained by squaring each term of the original series, has sum 1010 times the sum of the original series. The common ratio of the original series is mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.m + n.

Solution:

Let the original series have first term aa and ratio r,r, so a1r=2005.\frac{a}{1-r} = 2005. The squared series is geometric with first term a2a^2 and ratio r2,r^2, so a21r2=a1ra1+r=2005a1+r=102005,\frac{a^2}{1-r^2} = \frac{a}{1-r} \cdot \frac{a}{1+r} = 2005 \cdot \frac{a}{1+r} = 10 \cdot 2005, which gives a1+r=10.\frac{a}{1+r} = 10.

Dividing the two equations, 1+r1r=200510,\frac{1+r}{1-r} = \frac{2005}{10}, so 2(1+r)=401(1r),2(1+r) = 401(1-r), giving 403r=399403r = 399 and r=399403.r = \frac{399}{403}. Since 399=3719399 = 3 \cdot 7 \cdot 19 and 403=1331,403 = 13 \cdot 31, the fraction is in lowest terms, and m+n=399+403=802.m + n = 399 + 403 = 802.

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