2012 AIME II Problem 11

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 11 of the 2012 AIME II, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2012 AIME II solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:functionquadraticpattern recognition

Difficulty rating: 2650

11.

Let f1(x)=2333x+1,f_1(x) = \frac{2}{3} - \frac{3}{3x + 1}, and for n2,n \ge 2, define fn(x)=f1(fn1(x)).f_n(x) = f_1(f_{n-1}(x)). The value of xx that satisfies f1001(x)=x3f_{1001}(x) = x - 3 can be expressed in the form mn,\frac{m}{n}, where mm and nn are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.m + n.

Solution:

Combining fractions, f1(x)=2(3x+1)93(3x+1)=6x79x+3.f_1(x) = \frac{2(3x + 1) - 9}{3(3x + 1)} = \frac{6x - 7}{9x + 3}. Composing once, f2(x)=6f1(x)79f1(x)+3=3x79x6,f_2(x) = \frac{6 f_1(x) - 7}{9 f_1(x) + 3} = \frac{-3x - 7}{9x - 6}, and composing again gives f3(x)=x.f_3(x) = x.

So the iteration is periodic with period 3.3. Since 10012(mod3),1001 \equiv 2 \pmod{3}, we have f1001=f2,f_{1001} = f_2, and the equation becomes 3x79x6=x3,\frac{-3x - 7}{9x - 6} = x - 3, that is 9x233x+18=3x7,9x^2 - 33x + 18 = -3x - 7, or 9x230x+25=(3x5)2=0.9x^2 - 30x + 25 = (3x - 5)^2 = 0.

The unique solution is x=53,x = \frac{5}{3}, so m+n=5+3=8.m + n = 5 + 3 = 8.

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