AoPSWiki
Looking for a challenging algebra text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams?
Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Algebra by Richard Rusczyk.

Mock AIME 4 2006-2007 Problems/Problem 13

From AoPSWiki

Problem

The sum

\sum_{k=1}^{2007} \arctan\left(\frac{1}{k^2+k+1}\right)

can be written in the form \arctan\left(\frac{m}{n}\right), where \gcd(m,n) = 1. Compute the remainder when m+n is divided by 100.

Solution

First let us develop a formula for sums of arctans. Let us say we want to find \tan^{-1}{a} - \tan^{-1}{b}, so we take the tangent of that and you get:

\tan(\tan^{-1}{a} - \tan^{-1}{b}) = \frac{a - b}{1 + ab}, now if we take the arctan of both sides we get:

\tan^{-1}{a} - \tan^{-1}{b} = \tan^{-1}{\frac{a - b}{1 + ab}}

If we say that x_k = \tan^{-1}{k}, then we get

\tan{(x_{k+1} - x_k)} = \frac{\tan{x_{k+1}} - \tan{x_{k}}}{1 + \tan{x_{k+1}} \tan{x_{k}}} = \frac{1}{k^2 + k + 1}

Therefore the sum telescopes leaving us with \sum_{k=1}^{2007}\tan^{-1}{\frac{1}{k^2 + k + 1}} = \tan^{-1}{2008} - \tan^{-1}{1} = \tan^{-1}{\frac{2007}{1 + 2008}} = \frac... and 2007 + 2009 \equiv \fbox{016}(\mod 100)

i don't know if my answer is right as there is no answer key for this test.




Visit the AoPS Book Store.
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us