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2000 AIME II Problems/Problem 7

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Problem

Given that
\frac 1{2!17!}+\frac 1{3!16!}+\frac 1{4!15!}+\frac 1{5!14!}+\frac 1{6!13!}+\frac 1{7!12!}+\frac 1{8!11!}+\frac 1{9!10!}=\frac...
find the greatest integer that is less than \frac N{100}.

Solution

Multiplying both sides by 19! yields:

\frac {19!}{2!17!}+\frac {19!}{3!16!}+\frac {19!}{4!15!}+\frac {19!}{5!14!}+\frac {19!}{6!13!}+\frac {19!}{7!12!}+\frac {19!}...

\binom{19}{2}+\binom{19}{3}+\binom{19}{4}+\binom{19}{5}+\binom{19}{6}+\binom{19}{7}+\binom{19}{8}+\binom{19}{9} = 19N.

Recall the identity 2^{19} = \sum_{n=0}^{19} {19 \choose n}. Since {19 \choose n} = {19 \choose 19-n}, it follows that \sum_{n=0}^{9} {19 \choose n} = \frac{2^{19}}{2} = 2^{18}.

Thus, 19N = 2^{18}-\binom{19}{1}-\binom{19}{0}=2^{18}-19-1 = (2^9)^2-20 = (512)^2-20 = 262124.

So, N=\frac{262124}{19}=13796 and \left\lfloor \frac{N}{100} \right\rfloor =\boxed{137}.

See also

2000 AIME II (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 6
Followed by
Problem 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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