Question

For each $x$ in $[0, 1],$ define $f(x) = \begin{cases} 2x, & \text{if } 0 \le x \le \tfrac{1}{2},\\ 2 - 2x, & \text{if } \tfrac{1}{2} \lt x \le 1. \end{cases}$ Let $f^{[2]}(x) = f(f(x)),$ and $f^{[n+1]}(x) = f^{[n]}(f(x))$ for each integer $n \ge 2.$ For how many values of $x$ in $[0, 1]$ is $f^{[2005]}(x) = \tfrac{1}{2}?$

$0$

$2005$

$4010$

$2005^2$

$2^{2005}$

Solution:

Let $g(n)$ count the solutions of $f^{[n]}(x) = \tfrac{1}{2}$ in $[0, 1].$ Since $f$ maps each of the two halves $[0, \tfrac12]$ and $[\tfrac12, 1]$ onto all of $[0, 1],$ every solution of $f^{[n-1]}(y) = \tfrac12$ comes from two values of $x$ (one in each half).

The boundary value $x = \tfrac12$ satisfies $f^{[n]}(\tfrac12) = f^{[n-1]}(1) = 0 \ne \tfrac12,$ so no solutions are lost, giving $g(n) = 2\,g(n-1).$

Since $g(1) = 2,$ we conclude $g(2005) = 2^{2005}.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

2005 AMC 12A Problem 20

Solution:

Problem 20 in Other Years