Question

Let $f_1(x) = \frac{2}{3} - \frac{3}{3x + 1},$ and for $n \ge 2,$ define $f_n(x) = f_1(f_{n-1}(x)).$ The value of $x$ that satisfies $f_{1001}(x) = x - 3$ can be expressed in the form $\frac{m}{n},$ where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m + n.$

Answer

Answer: 8

Concepts:function quadratic pattern recognition

Difficulty rating: 2650

Small Hint:

Write $f_1$ as a single fraction and compute $f_2$ and $f_3$ by hand — a pattern appears

Big Hint:

$f_3(x) = x,$ so $f_{1001} = f_2;$ setting $f_2(x) = x - 3$ gives a quadratic with a double root

Solution:

Combining fractions, $f_1(x) = \frac{2(3x + 1) - 9}{3(3x + 1)} = \frac{6x - 7}{9x + 3}.$ Composing once, $f_2(x) = \frac{6 f_1(x) - 7}{9 f_1(x) + 3} = \frac{-3x - 7}{9x - 6},$ and composing again gives $f_3(x) = x.$

So the iteration is periodic with period $3.$ Since $1001 \equiv 2 \pmod{3},$ we have $f_{1001} = f_2,$ and the equation becomes $\frac{-3x - 7}{9x - 6} = x - 3,$ that is $9x^2 - 33x + 18 = -3x - 7,$ or $9x^2 - 30x + 25 = (3x - 5)^2 = 0.$

The unique solution is $x = \frac{5}{3},$ so $m + n = 5 + 3 = 8.$

2012 AIME II Problem 11

Answer: 8

Difficulty rating: 2650

Small Hint:

Big Hint:

Solution:

Problem 11 in Other Years