The College Mathematics Journal

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Problems and Solutions

EDITORS Greg Oman & Charles N. Curtis

To cite this article: EDITORS Greg Oman & Charles N. Curtis (13 Nov 2023): Problems and
Solutions, The College Mathematics Journal, DOI: 10.1080/07468342.2023.2271821
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/07468342.2023.2271821

Published online: 13 Nov 2023.

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PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
EDITORS
Greg Oman Charles N. Curtis
CMJ Problems CMJ Solutions
Department of Mathematics Mathematics Department
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Missouri Southern State University
1425 Austin Bluffs Parkway 3950 E Newman Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Joplin, MO 64801
[email protected] [email protected]

This section contains problems intended to challenge students and teachers of college mathematics.
We urge you to participate actively both by submitting solutions and by proposing problems that are
new and interesting. To promote variety, the editors welcome problem proposals that span the entire
undergraduate curriculum.
Proposed problems should be uploaded to the submission management system Submittable
by visiting the web address https://cmj.submittable.com/submit (instructions are provided at this
site). Alternatively, problem proposals may be sent to Greg Oman, either by email (preferred) as a pdf,
TEX, or Word attachment or by mail to the address provided above. Whenever possible, a proposed
problem should be accompanied by a solution, appropriate references, and any other material that
would be helpful to the editors. Proposers should submit problems only if the proposed problem is not
under consideration by another journal.
Solutions to the problems in this issue should be uploaded to the submission management
system Submittable by visiting the web address https://cmj.submittable.com/submit (instructions
are provided at this site). Alternatively, solutions may be sent to Chip Curtis, either by email as a pdf,
TEX, or Word attachment (preferred) or by mail to the address provided above, no later than May 15,
2024. Sending both pdf and TEXfiles is ideal.

PROBLEMS
1261. Proposed by Brian Bradie, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA.
Evaluate the following integral for real α > −2:
 ∞
tan−1 (x)
dx.
0 1 + αx + x 2

1262. Proposed by George Apostolopoulos, Messolonghi, Greece.

Let R and r be the circumradius and inradius, respectively, of triangle ABC. Choose
D, E, and F on sides BC, CA, and AB, respectively, so that AD, BE, and CF bisect
the angles of ABC. Prove that ( EF
BC
)4 + ( FCA ) + ( DE
D 4
AB
)4 + 163 ≤ 38 ( 2r
R 2
).
1263. Proposed by Marius Munteanu, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY.
Find, with proof, all solutions to the following equation, where a ∈ [0, 1] is a fixed
real number: x(16x 2 − 20x + 5)2 − a = 0.
1264. Stanescu Florin, Serban Cioculescu School, Gaesti, Romania.
Let G be a finite group of order at least three, and n ≥ 2 be an integer. Suppose that
the function f : G → G defined by f (x) := x n is a surjective group homomorphism.
Further, assume that for 2 ≤ k ≤ |G| − 1, k does not divide n − 1. Prove that G is
abelian.
doi.org/10.1080/07468342.2023.2271821

VOL. 00, NO. 0, MONTH 2023 THE COLLEGE MATHEMATICS JOURNAL 1

1265. Proposed by Narendra Bhandari, Bajura District, Nepal.
Calculate the following sum:
2 n

∞ 
ζ (n) − ζ (n + 1)
,
n=2 k=1
k

where [ x ] denotes the floor function of x and ζ denotes the Riemann zeta function.

SOLUTIONS

The centroid of a tetrahedron

1236. Proposed by Tran Quang Hung, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Let ABCD be a tetrahedron in 3-space, and let P , Q and R be three collinear points.
Assume that lines P A, P B, P C, and P D are not parallel to planes (BCD), (CDA),
(DAB), and (ABC), respectively. Line P A meets plane (BCD) at point A1 . In the
plane (AP R), assume that the two lines AR and A1 Q intersect at A2 . Point A3 lies
on line P A2 such that RA3 is parallel to line AA1 . Define similarly the points B1 , B2 ,
B3 , C1 , C2 , C3 , D1 , D2 , and D3 . Prove that R is the centroid of tetrahedron A3 B3 C3 D3
(see figure).

Solution by the proposer.

Proof. Let AB and BA denote signed lengths of segments. Apply the theorem of
Menelaus to AP R with transversal A1 A2 Q to get

A1 P A2 A QR
·· = 1. (1)
A1 A A2 R QP
Let the Euclidean vector connecting an initial point X with a terminal point Y be
−→
denoted by XY . Let x, y, z, t, not all zero, such that

x P A + y P B + zP C + t P D = 0. (2)

2 © THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

If x + y + z + t = 0, then equation (2) becomes

−(y + z + t)P A + y P B + zP C + t P D = 0,

which implies

y AB + zAC + t AD = 0.
 
This would mean that AB, AC, AD is linearly dependent, which is impossible since
A, B, C, and D are not coplanar. Therefore, we have x + y + z + t = 0.
Note that applying projections parallel to line AP onto plane (BCD), one has

A, P → A1 , B → B, C → C, D → D. (3)

Since parallel projection is an affine transformation, it follows from (2) and (3),

y A1 B + zA1 C + t A1 D = 0. (4)

From (4), we may deduce y P B + zP C + t P D = (y + z + t)P A1 . Combining with

(2), we obtain

−x P A = (y + z + t)P A1 ,

or

x A1 A = (x + y + z + t)P A1 .

From this,

A1 P −x
= . (5)
A1 A x+y+z+t

Let

QR
= k. (6)
QP

It follows from (1), (5), and (6),

A2 R −kx
= .
A2 A x+y+z+t

Since RA3 P A, applying the theorem of Thales yields

RA3 A2 R kx · P A
RA3 = · PA = · PA = . (7)
PA AA2 x+y+z+t

Similarly, we have

ky · P B kz · P C kt · P D
RB3 = , RC3 = , RD3 = . (8)
x+y+z+t x+y+z+t x+y+z+t

VOL. 00, NO. 0, MONTH 2023 THE COLLEGE MATHEMATICS JOURNAL 3

From (7) and (8), we get
 
k x P A + y P B + zP C + t P D
RA3 + RB3 + RC3 + RD3 = = 0,
x+y+z+t
which implies R is the centroid of A3 B3 C3 D3 . This completes the proof. 
No other solutions were received.

Two polygons
1237. Proposed by Tran Quang Hung, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Let A1 A2 . . .A2n and A1 A2 . . .A2n (n ≥ 2) be two directly 2n-regular polygons. Prove
 n−1
that ni=1 A2i A22i =
2
i=0 A2i+1 A2i+1 (see figure).

Solution by Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland.

We may assume (without loss of generality) that the vertices of the two polygons are
given by
π ik +iω π ik +iω
Ak = re n , and Ak = 1 + r  e n , for k = 1, 2, . . ., 2n.
Then

n
2

n−1
2
A2i A2i − A2i+1 A2i+1
i=1 i=0


n
2 2
= A2k A2k − A2k−1 A2k−1
k=1


n  π i(2k)  2
  n +iω π i(2k) 
= r e + 1 − re n +iω 
k=1
 π i(2k−1)  2 
  +iω π i(2k−1)
+iω 
− r e n + 1 − re n 

4 © THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

 
n
2π ik −iω π i(2k−1) 2π ik +iω
= −re− n + re− n −iω
− re n

k=1

π i(2k−1)
+iω 2π ik −iω
+re n + r  e− n

π i(2k−1)
−iω 2π ik +iω π i(2k−1)
+iω
−r  e− n + r e n − r e n = 0,

n 2π ik
since k=1 e n = 0.
Also solved by Dmitry Fleischman, Santa Monica, CA; Eugene Herman, Grinnell C.; and the proposer.

Rotated squares
1238. Proposed by Jacob Siehler, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN.
Consider the intersection of a unit square with a copy of itself rotated through an angle
of θ about their mutual center. Note that in general, this region is an octagon. Evaluate
the average area of the intersection as θ ranges from 0 to π2 .
Solution by Kyle Calderhead, Malone University, Canton, Ohio.

By extending lines from the mutual center to the midpoints of each side of each
square, as well as to the points of intersection of their sides, we can decompose the
octagonal intersection into sixteen right triangles—eight with a leg of length 12 and
adjacent angle of θ2 , and eight more with a leg of length 12 and adjacent angle of π4 − θ2 .
In the figure above, one of each of these types of triangles has been highlighted.
Using right-triangle trigonometry, we see that the length of the other legs of these
triangles are 12 tan θ and 12 tan π4 − θ2 , respectively. Hence the areas of each type of
triangle are 12 · 12 · 12 tan θ2 and 12 · 12 · 12 tan π4 − θ2 , respectively. With eight of each,
we have a total area of
   
θ π θ
A = tan + tan − .
2 4 2

VOL. 00, NO. 0, MONTH 2023 THE COLLEGE MATHEMATICS JOURNAL 5

Note that this formula is consistent with the situation where the squares coincide, cor-
responding to θ being equal to either 0 or π2 .
π
Before taking the average value, note that the integral 0 2 tan π4 − θ2 dθ can be
π
shown to be equivalent to the integral 0 2 tan θ2 dθ by means of the substitution
u = π2 − θ. This simplifies the average value calculation to
      π
 θ  2
π
1 2 θ 4 4 ln 2
2 tan dθ = −2 ln cos = ,
π/2 0 2 π 2  0 π
or approximately 0.8825.
Note: Using the same dissection technique, we can show that in the more gen-
eral case of two overlapping regular n-gons with unit area, the average area of their
intersection will be πn cot πn ln sec2 πn .
Also solved by Ricardo Alfaro, U. of Michigan - Flint; Andrew Bauman, U. of Arkansas at Little Rock;
Nate Belgard, The Barrie School; Brian Bradie, Christopher Newport U.; Rob Downes, Newark Academy;
Bill Dunn , Montgomery C.; Eagle Problem Solvers, Georgia Southern U.; Habib Far, Lone Star C. -
Montgomery; Dmitry Fleischman, Santa Monica, CA; Michael Goldenberg, Reiserstown, MD and Mark
Kaplan, U. of Maryland Global Campus (jointly); Aakash Gurung, Asahi Nago, and Xuan Pham (jointly);
Spencer Harris, Westmont C. (graduate); Eugene Herman, Grinnell C.; Stephen Herschkorn, Rutgers U.;
Liam Mauck and Clayton Coe, Cal Poly Pomona Problem Solving Group; Kelly McLenithan, Los Alamos,
NM; Peter Oman and Haohao Wang, Southeast Missouri St. U.; Leah Ramos (student), Seton Hall U.;
Volkhard Schindler, Berlin, Germany; Skidmore C. Problem Group; Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzer-
land; and the proposer.

An explicit formula for a sequence from a recursion

1239. Proposed by Moubinool Omarjee, Lycée Henry IV, Paris, France.
√
u3n −3un − 5
Let u0 be a positive real number, and for every n ∈ N, define un+1 := 2
√
3un +3 5un +4
.
Find a closed-form expression for un in terms of u0 and n.
Solution by the Stephen Locke, Florida Atlantic University.

x3
Lemma 1. Let g(x) = . Then, the kth iterate g (k) of g is given by
(x + 1)3 − x 3
k
x3
g (x) =
(k)
.
(x + 1)3k − x 3k
k
x3
Proof. We note that g (1) = g and assume that for some k, g (k) (x) = .
(x + 1)3k − x 3k
Then,
 k

x3
g (k+1)
(x) = g
(x + 1)3k − x 3k
 k
3 ⎛ 3  3 ⎞−1
3k 3k
x3 ⎝ x x ⎠
= +1 −
(x + 1)3k − x 3k (x + 1)3k − x 3k (x + 1)3k − x 3k

6 © THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

   3  k 3 −1
3k+1 3k 3k 3k
=x x + (x + 1) − x − x3

 3 −1
3k+1 3k 3k+1
=x x + 1) −x ,

establishing the inductive proof. 

√ √
w3 − 3w − 5 1− 5
Now, let f (w) = √ , so that un+1 = f (un ), and let τ = .
3w2 + 3 5w + 4 2
3 3
w w
Note that f (τ + w) = τ + =τ+ = τ + g(w). Hence,
3w + 3w + 1
2 (w + 1)3 − w3
for w = u0 − τ ,
n
w3
un = f (n) (τ + w) = τ + g (n) (w) = τ + ,
(w + 1)3n − w3n

providing a closed form for un in terms of u0 and n.

Also solved by Brian Bradie, Christopher Newport U.; Michael Goldenberg, Reistertown, MD and Mark
Kaplan, U. of Maryland Globan Campus (jointly); Albert Stadler, Herrliberg, Switzerland; and the proposer.

Fields for which the collection of additive subgroups and the collection
of multiplicative subgroups are isomorphic
1240. Proposed by Greg Oman, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado
Springs, CO.
Let S be a set. Recall that a partial order on S is a binary relation ≤ which is re-
flexive, anti-symmetric, and transitive. If S, T are sets and ≤,  are partial orders on
S and T , respectively, then we say that the partially ordered set (S, ≤) and (T , )
are isomorphic if there is a bijection f : S → T such that for all s1 , s2 ∈ S: s1 ≤ s2
iff f (s1 )  f (s2 ). Now let F be a field, and let P + (F ) be the collection of additive
subgroups of F , partially ordered by set-theoretic inclusion, and let P × (F ) be the col-
lection of multiplicative subgroups of F × := F \{0}, partially ordered by inclusion.
Find all fields F for which P + (F ) and P × (F ) are isomorphic.
Solution by Anthony Bevelacqua, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North
Dakota.
Any subgroup H of F × corresponds to an additive subgroup A of F in such a
way that the subgroup lattices of H and A are isomorphic. Consequently the trivial
subgroup 1 of F × must correspond to the trivial subgroup 0 of F . Since a group is
finite if and only if it has finitely many subgroups, finite subgroups of F × correspond
to finite additive subgroups of F . Since a field of characteristic zero has a nontrivial
finite multiplicative subgroup (namely {1, −1}) and every nontrivial additive subgroup
of a field of characteristic zero is infinite, F must have characteristic p > 0. Thus Zp ,
the field with p elements, is a subfield of F . We note that the additive subgroups of F
are precisely the Zp -subspaces of F .
Assume dimZp F > 1. Then F contains a subspace A of dimension two. A contains
exactly p + 1 proper, nontrivial subgroups, no one of which is contained in another.
Now A corresponds to a finite subgroup H of F × with exactly p + 1 proper, nontrivial
subgroups, no one of which is contained in another. Recall that J → |J | gives an

VOL. 00, NO. 0, MONTH 2023 THE COLLEGE MATHEMATICS JOURNAL 7

isomorphism between the lattice of subgroups of a cyclic group of order n and the
lattice of positive divisors of n ordered by divisibility. Since H has p + 1 ≥ 3 proper,
nontrivial subgroups, no one of which is contained in another, |H | must be divisible
by (at least) three distinct primes q, r, and s. Now q is a proper divisor of qr and qr
is a proper divisor qrs, so H contains a pair of nested proper, nontrivial subgroups, a
contradiction.
Thus F = Zp . Since the additive group Zp has exactly two subgroups, Z× p has
exactly two subgroups. Therefore p − 1 = |Z× p | is a prime, and so p = 3. Hence Z3 is
the only field F for which P + (F ) and P × (F ) are isomorphic.
Also solved by the proposer.

8 © THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA