[Archive!] Pure mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc.: brain-training problems not related to trade in any way - page 400

 

The logarithm on any basis is calculated using the school formula:

loga(b)= logc(b) / logc(a)

Now you can take the base of natural logarithms as c.

P.S. Alas, I failed to make logarithm bases with subscripts: the <sub> tag won't work for some reason.

 
Mathemat:

The logarithm on any base is calculated using the school formula:

loga(b)= logc(b) / logc(a)

The base of natural logarithms can now be taken as c.

P.S. Alas, I failed to make logarithm bases with subscripts: the <sub> tag won't work for some reason.


Thank you very much!
 

Algebra. grade 9 problem book.

The line y=-2x+b touches the circle x^2+y^2=5 at a point with negative abscissa. Determine the coordinates of the tangent point.

 

Sergei, what's the punchline of the problem?

In ninth grade, people know how to solve quadratic equations. It's a hassle, of course, but it's solvable.

 
there's a trick to it. 3 unknowns. x y b. these are time tests. solving them head-on = losing time, although I couldn't do it head-on either
 

Substitute y from the straight line equation into the circle equation and require the uniqueness of the solution to the quadratic equation (concerned!):

x^2 + (2x-b)^2 = 5

5x^2 - 4xb + b^2 - 5 = 0 (*)

The discriminant is zero: D = 16bb - 4*5*(bb-5) = 0

Hence 100 = 4bb.

Hence |b| = 5.

Draw a picture of a circle and a line. It turns out that the tangent at the point with negative abscissa can be only when b is negative. Hence b=-5.

Hence (*) becomes: 5x^2 +20x + 20 = 0

x = -2, hence y=-2x+b = 4-5 = -1.

Point (-2;-1).

P.S. Well, yes, it takes about three minutes. That's if you write it out carefully and neatly.

 

We have nine pieces of paper with numbers and algebraic signs drawn on them:

101-102=1. Obviously, the identity is not true. We only need to move one piece of paper somewhere (remove it, turn it upside down) to make the identity true.

For example:

101-10=12.

Any options?

 

Alexei. Thank you. I hadn't guessed to equate the discriminant to zero. Got the solution.

I realized it's not for 9th grade. I found another solution. It's nicer. Without the discriminant.

 
Neutron:

We have nine pieces of paper with numbers and algebraic signs drawn on them:

101-102=1. Obviously, the identity is not true. We only need to move one piece of paper somewhere (remove it, turn it upside down) for the identity to be true.

For example:

101-10=12.

Any options?


101-10^2=1
 
maxfade:

101-10^2=1


The sign "^" is missing in the original data.

This seems to be the solution:

101 = 102 - 1,

but it doesn't fit the "just one paper" condition either.