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1995 AIME Problems/Problem 7

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Problem

Given that \displaystyle (1+\sin t)(1+\cos t)=5/4 and

(1-\sin t)(1-\cos t)=\frac mn-\sqrt{k},

where and are positive integers with and relatively prime, find

Solution

From the givens, 2\sin t \cos t + 2 \sin t + 2 \cos t = \frac{1}{2}, and adding to both sides gives (\sin t + \cos t)^2 + 2(\sin t + \cos t) = \frac{3}{2}. Completing the square on the left in the variable gives \sin t + \cos t = -1 \pm \sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}. Since |\sin t + \cos t| \leq \sqrt 2 < 1 + \sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}, we have \sin t + \cos t = \sqrt{\frac{5}{2}} - 1. Subtracting twice this from our original equation gives (\sin t - 1)(\cos t - 1) = \sin t \cos t - \sin t - \cos t + 1 = \frac{13}{4} - \sqrt{10}, so the answer is .

See also

1995 AIME (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 6
Followed by
Problem 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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