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2005 AIME I Problems/Problem 6

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Problem

Let P be the product of the nonreal roots of x^4-4x^3+6x^2-4x=2005. Find \lfloor P\rfloor.

Solution

The left-hand side of that equation is nearly equal to (x - 1)^4. Thus, we add 1 to each side in order to complete the fourth power and get (x - 1)^4 = 2006.

Let r = \sqrt[4]{2006} be the positive real fourth root of 2006. Then the roots of the above equation are x = 1 + i^n r for n = 0, 1, 2, 3. The two non-real members of this set are 1 + ir and 1 - ir. Their product is P = 1 + r^2 = 1 + \sqrt{2006}. 44^2 = 1936 < 2006 < 2025 = 45^2 so \lfloor P \rfloor = 1 + 44 = 045.

See also

2005 AIME I (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 5
Followed by
Problem 7
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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