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Floor function

From AoPSWiki

The greatest integer function, also known as the floor function, gives the greatest integer less than or equal to its argument. The floor of x is usually denoted by \lfloor x \rfloor or [x]. The action of this function is the same as "rounding down." On a positive argument, this function is the same as "dropping everything after the decimal point," but this is not true for negative values.

Contents

Properties

Examples

  • \lfloor 3.14 \rfloor = 3
  • \lfloor 5 \rfloor = 5
  • \lfloor -3.2 \rfloor = -4

A useful way to use the floor function is to write \lfloor x \rfloor=\lfloor y+k \rfloor, where y is an integer and k is the leftover stuff after the decimal point. This can greatly simplify many problems.

Alternate Definition

Another common definition of the floor function is

\lfloor x \rfloor = x-\{x\}

where \{x\} is the fractional part of x.

Olympiad Problems

  • [1981 USAMO #5] If x is a positive real number, and n is a positive integer, prove that

[nx] > \frac{[x]}{1} + \frac{[2x]}{2} + \frac{[3x]}{3} + ... + \frac{[nx]}{n}, where [t] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to t.

AoPS discussion 1

AoPS discussion 2

  • [1968 IMO #6] Let [x] denote the integer part of x, i.e., the greatest integer not exceeding x. If n is a positive integer, express as a simple function of n the sum \left[\frac{n+1}{2}\right]+\left[\frac{n+2}{4}\right]+...+\left[\frac{n+2^k}{2^{k+1}}\right]+\ldots

See Also

Want to learn how to tackle those tough MATHCOUNTS and AMC counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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