2010 AIME I Problem 6

Attempt Problem 6 of the 2010 AIME I 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 2010 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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6.

Let P(x)P(x) be a quadratic polynomial with real coefficients satisfying x22x+2P(x)2x24x+3 \begin{aligned} x^2 - 2x + 2 &\le P(x) \\ &\le 2x^2 - 4x + 3 \end{aligned} for all real numbers x,x, and suppose P(11)=181.P(11) = 181. Find P(16).P(16).

Answer: 406
Concepts:quadraticcompleting the squarepolynomial
Difficulty rating: 2390
Solution:

Completing the square, the condition reads (x1)2+1P(x)2(x1)2+1. \begin{aligned} (x-1)^2 + 1 &\le P(x) \\ &\le 2(x-1)^2 + 1. \end{aligned} At x=1x = 1 both bounds equal 1,1, so P(1)=1.P(1) = 1. The quadratic P(x)((x1)2+1)P(x) - \left((x-1)^2 + 1\right) is nonnegative for all xx and vanishes at x=1,x = 1, so x=1x = 1 is a double root: P(x)=a(x1)2+1P(x) = a(x-1)^2 + 1 for some constant a.a.

From P(11)=100a+1=181P(11) = 100a + 1 = 181 we get a=95.a = \frac{9}{5}. Then P(16)=95225+1=405+1=406. \begin{aligned} P(16) &= \frac{9}{5} \cdot 225 + 1 \\ &= 405 + 1 = 406. \end{aligned}

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