Math Calendar 2025 March

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Mar 01

\[{1^3+2^3+\ldots+2025^3\over(1+2+\ldots+2025)^2}\]

This could be evaluated by using the sum of integers and sum of cubes formulas. But it is even simpler if we are aware of the following well known fact \[\left(\sum_{i=1}^n{i}\right)^2=\sum_{i=1}^n{i^3}\] In this problem, \(n=2025\) but it does not matter which \(n\) we use. Both parts of the fraction are equal so the answer is 1.

Mar 02

\[x!+x=x^x,\quad x>0\]

Here, \(x^x\) grows faster than \(x!+x\). If we use the continuous factorial (gamma function) this problem will be more complicated. But for integers, we can see that \(x=2\) works and from there the right grows faster than the left. When \(x\geq3\) \[x^x=x\cdot x^{x-1}=x^{x-1}(x-1)+x^{x-1}>x!+x\] Here we can see \(x^{x-1}>x\) since \(x-1\geq2\). Also \[x^{x-1}(x-1)=x(x-1)\cdot x^{x-2}>x(x-1)\cdot(x-2)^{x-2}\geq x(x-1)(x-2)! =x!\] So in integers the only solution is \(x=2\). A plot of the graphs suggests that when using the gamma function this is still true but that would require other techniques to prove.

Mar 03

\[{1\over\log_{100}(30)}+{1\over\log_{10}(30)}+{1\over\log_{27}(30)}\]

First use the base change formula to write it with natural logarithms. \[\begin{align}&={\ln(100)\over\ln(30)}+{\ln(10)\over\ln(30)} +{\ln(27)\over\ln(30)}={\ln(100)+\ln(10)+\ln(27)\over\ln(30)}\\ &={\ln(27000)\over\ln(30)}={\ln(30^3)\over\ln(30)}={3\ln(30)\over\ln(30)}=3\\ \end{align}\]

Mar 04

\[\left(\prod_{n=2}^\infty{n^2\over n^2-1}\right)^2\]

To evaluate this, we can factor the expression and look at the pattern \[\begin{align} \prod_{n=2}^x{n^2\over(n-1)(n+1)}&={2\cdot2\over1\cdot3}{3\cdot3\over2\cdot4} {4\cdot4\over3\cdot5}\ldots{(x-1)(x-1)\over(x-2)x}{x\cdot x\over(x-1)(x+1)}\\ &={2\over1}{2\cdot3\over3\cdot2}{3\cdot4\over4\cdot3} \ldots{(x-1)x\over x(x-1)}{x\over x+1}={2x\over x+1}\\ \end{align}\] And we can see this is \(2\) as \(x\to\infty\). To prove this more formally, we can use induction. When \(x=2\) it is true trivially. Then assume \[\prod_{n=2}^x{n^2\over(n-1)(n+1)}={2x\over x+1}\] Now we can find \[\begin{align}&\prod_{n=2}^{x+1}{n^2\over(n-1)(n+1)} ={2x\over x+1}{(x+1)^2\over x(x+2)}={2(x+1)\over x+2}\end{align}\] Which shows that the formula is correct. So the product inside the parenthesis is \(2\) and the answer is \(2^2=4\)

Mar 05

\[\begin{align} &\begin{array}{cccc}&A&B&X\\\times&&&X\\\hline&C&B&X\\\end{array}\\ &\text{A, B, C, and X}\\&\text{are different digits}\\\end{align}\]

Using the digit squares modulo 10, the only possibilities are \(x=0,1,5\) since the ones digit comes from \(X^2\). If \(X=0\), then we would need \(B=C=0\) so the digits are not distinct. If \(X=1\), then both 3 digit numbers must be equal so we would have \(A=C\), not distinct. By elimination it must be \(X=5\).

To solve for what the original letters are, start with \(X=5\). Then \[(100A+10B+5)\times5=500+50B+25\] This must be a 3 digit number so \(A=1\). Now try again with \(X=5,A=1\). \[(100+10B+5)\times5=500+50B+25=100C+10B+5\] We can derive the following \[520+40B=100C\] Which shows \(520+40B\) must be a multiple of \(100\). So the only possibilities are \(B=2,B=7\). With \(B=2\) we can see \(125\times5=625\) which has \(C=6\). With \(B=7\) we can see \(175\times5=875\) which has \(C=8\). So there are 2 solutions both with \(X=5\).

Mar 06

\[y=2^{-1}+6^{-1}+12^{-1}+20^{-1}+30^{-1}+42^{-1},\quad x=7y\]

By observing a pattern, we can see \[y={1\over1\cdot2}+{1\over2\cdot3}+{1\over3\cdot4}+{1\over4\cdot5} +{1\over5\cdot6}+{1\over6\cdot7}=\sum_{n=1}^6{1\over n(n+1)}\] By using partial fractions this becomes \[\sum_{n=1}^6\left({1\over n}-{1\over n+1}\right)\] This is a telescoping series and evaluates to \(1-1/7=6/7\). The problem asks for \(7\) times this which is \(6\).

Mar 07

\[x+y=13,\quad10x+5y=100\]

This is a linear system. First simplify the 2nd equation by dividing 5 \[x+y=13,\quad2x+y=20\] The \(y\) coefficientns match so we can cancel it. Subtract the first equation from the second \[(2x+y)-(x+y)=20-13\Rightarrow x=7\] This one turns out to be simple to solve with the right choices.

Mar 08

Find the ratio of the larger circle to the shaded region.

The smaller circle has \(1/2\) of the radius of the larger circle so its area is \((1/2)^2=1/4\) of the larger circle. Then we divide by 2 because the shaded area is half of the smaller circle. So the ratio is 8 to 1.

Mar 09

\[{12\over6-{14\over x-2}}=3\] \[\Rightarrow12=3\left(6-{14\over x-2}\right)\Rightarrow4=6-{14\over x-2} \Rightarrow{14\over x-2}=2\Rightarrow14=2(x-2)=2x-4\Rightarrow2x=18 \Rightarrow x=9\]

Mar 10

\[y=\left(1-{1\over2}\right)\left(1-{1\over3}\right) \ldots\left(1-{1\over10}\right),\qquad x={1\over y}\]

The fractions follow a pattern \[y={1\over2}{2\over3}\ldots{9\over10}={1\over\cancel{2}} {\cancel{2}\over\cancel{3}}\ldots{\cancel{9}\over10}={1\over10}\] Then \(x=1/y=1/(1/10)=10\)

Mar 11

\[y=\cos\left({\pi\over5}\right)-\cos\left({2\pi\over5}\right),\qquad x=y^{-3}+y^{-1}+1\]

Please see the January 20, 2025 problem for the work associated with the following result: \[\cos\left({\pi\over5}\right)={1+\sqrt{5}\over4}\] So then we just need the double angle formula \[\cos\left({2\pi\over5}\right)=2\cos^2\left({\pi\over5}\right)-1 =2\left({1+\sqrt{5}\over4}\right)^2-1={6+2\sqrt{5}\over8}-1 ={\sqrt{5}-1\over4}\] Then \[y={1+\sqrt{5}\over4}-{\sqrt{5}-1\over4}={1\over2}\] And finally \[x=\left({1\over2}\right)^{-3}+\left({1\over2}\right)^{-1}+1=8+2+1=11\]

Mar 12

Find the maximum area of a rectangle whose sides are natural numbers and perimeter is 14.

Let \(a,b\) be the side lengths. Then the constraint is \(2a+2b=14\Rightarrow a+b=7\) and we maximize \(ab=a(7-a)=7a-a^2\). Its derivative is \(7-2a\) so the maximum occurs at \(a=3.5\). When \(a<3.5\) the derivative is positive and when \(a>3.5\) the derivative is negative so the function is strictly decreasing as we move away from \(a=3.5\). So we only have to test the integer points closest to this whicha re \(a=3\) and \(a=4\). Both give a rectangle with area \(3\times4=12\).

Mar 13

\[\sqrt{14!-13!\over12!}=\sqrt{13!(14-1)\over12!} =\sqrt{13\cdot12!(14-1)\over12!}=\sqrt{13\cdot(14-1)}=\sqrt{13\cdot13}=13\]

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