SENIOR SECONDARY

SET 1

Section A:
16
1. It is known that 𝑥 is rational, 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑥 = 3 + 16 . Find the value of 𝑥.
6+
6+⋯
2. Find the area of a triangle with vertices 𝐴(1,9), 𝐵(11,4), and 𝐶(19,16) in a rectangular coordinate
system.
3. How many simplified proper fraction(s) with denominator 1012 is/are there?
4. Factorize 𝑥 3 − 25𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 48.
5. Find the units digit of 11013 + 21013 + 31013 + ⋯ + 20241013 + 20251013 + 20261013 .
4𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 33
6. Find the value of 𝑦 in the system of linear equations {−5𝑥 + 7𝑦 + 8𝑧 = 86.
3𝑥 − 4𝑦 − 2𝑧 = −29
7. Find the maximum value of √𝑥 − 14 + √20 − 𝑥.
8. Find the value of 0𝐶010 + 1𝐶110 + 2𝐶210 + 3𝐶310 + 4𝐶410 + 5𝐶510 + 6𝐶610 + 7𝐶710 + 8𝐶810 + 9𝐶910 +
10
10𝐶10 .
9. If 𝛼 and 𝛽 are the roots of the equation 𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 10 = 0, find the value of (𝛼 − 𝛽)2 .
2 1 2
10. Find the value of |5 6 9 |.
8 9 12

Section B:

11. Find the value of √1892 − √1892 − √1892 − √1892 − √…..

12. Brian draws 3 balls randomly from a bag with 4 red balls and 8 blue balls. Find the probability
that at least one red ball is drawn.
1 1 1 1 1
13. Determine the value of + + + ⋯+ + .
√784+√786 √786+√788 √788+√790 √1292+√1294 √1294+√1296
14. It is known that log12 (log 8 (log 4 𝑥)) = 0. Find the value of 𝑥.
1 1
15. If 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑥 + 𝑥 = 5, find the value of 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 4 .
16. 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, and 𝐷 are points on a circle. 𝐴𝐵 intersects 𝐶𝐷 at 𝑃, where 𝐴𝐵 ⊥ 𝐶𝐷. It is known that
𝐴𝑃, 𝑃𝐵, 𝐶𝑃, and 𝐷𝑃 are 19,85,95, and 17 respectively. Find the area of this circle in terms of 𝜋.
17. If 𝑥 2 − 2𝑚𝑥 + 3𝑚 + 18 can be written as a perfect square of a polynomial, find the sum of
value(s) of 𝑚.
 18. It is known that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑, and that 𝑓(−2) = −55, 𝑓(0) = −13, 𝑓(1) =
−10, and 𝑓(2) = 13. Find the value of 4𝑎 + 3𝑏 + 2𝑐 + 𝑑.
19. In Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶, ∠𝐴 = 45°, 2∠𝐵 = 7∠𝐶, and 𝐴𝐵 = 3. Find the value of 𝐵𝐶. (Answer in simplest surd
form)
20. If 𝑎𝑛 is a positive integer for all 𝑛 is an integer, how many number(s) of sets of solutions do 𝑎1 +
𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + 𝑎5 < 26 have?

Section C:
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
21. Solve for the value of 𝑥 in 1+2 + 1+2+3 + 1+2+3+4 + ⋯ + 1+2+3+⋯+1013 = 506.
22. It is known that 2024! can be written in the form 𝑘 × 11𝑛 , where 𝑘 and 𝑛 are positive integers.
Find the largest possible value of 𝑛.
23. Factorize (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 6) + 28.
24. Define ∏𝑛𝑖=1 𝑓(𝑖) = 𝑓(1) × 𝑓(2) × 𝑓(3) × … × 𝑓(𝑛). Find the value of ∏2024𝑘=1 log 𝑘 .
2𝑥 ≡ 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
25. If 𝑥 is a 4-digit integer satisfying {5𝑥 ≡ 7 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11, find the smallest possible value of 𝑥.
3𝑥 ≡ 8 𝑚𝑜𝑑 13
 SENIOR SECONDARY
SET 1
SOLUTION MANUAL

Section A:
16
1. It is known that 𝑥 is rational, 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑥 = 3 + 16 . Find the value of 𝑥.
6+
6+⋯
Answer: 5
Solution:
16
𝑥+3=6+
16
6+6+⋯
16
𝑥+3= 6+
𝑥+3
(𝑥 + 3)2 = 6(𝑥 + 3) + 16
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 = 6𝑥 + 18 + 16
𝑥 2 = 25
𝑥 = ±5
Since 𝑥 > 0,
𝑥 = 5.

2. Find the area of a triangle with vertices 𝐴(1,9), 𝐵(11,4), and 𝐶(19,16) in a rectangular coordinate
system.
Answer: 80
Solution:
Using shoelace method, we get
1 1 11 19 1
𝐴= | |
2 9 4 16 9
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = |(1)(4) + (11)(16) + 19(9) − [(11)(9) + 19(4) + 1(16)]|
2
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = |4 + 176 + 171 − (99 + 76 + 16)|
2
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = |351 − 191|
2
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = |160|
2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 80.
3. How many simplified proper fraction(s) with denominator 1012 is/are there?
Answer: 440
Solution:
Prime factorization of 1012:
1012 = 22 × 11 × 23
By Euler’s Totient Function, we have
1 1 1
𝜙(1012) = 1012 (1 − ) (1 − ) (1 − )
2 11 23
1 10 22
𝜙(1012) = 1012 ( ) ( ) ( )
2 11 23
= 2(10)(22)
= 440.

4. Factorize 𝑥 3 − 25𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 48.

Answer: (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 + 12) 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 + 12)(𝑥 − 4)
Solution:
Using rational root theorem, the possible rational roots are
𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 48 ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ±6, ±8, ±12, ±16, ±24, ±48
𝑥= =
𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 1 ±1
𝑥 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ±6, ±8, ±12, ±16, ±24, ±48.
Using factor theorem, when 𝑥 = 4, we have
(4)3 − 25(4)2 + 96(4) − 48
= 64 − 400 + 384 − 48
= 0.
3 2
Hence, (𝑥 − 4) is a factor of 𝑥 − 25𝑥 + 96𝑥 − 48.
We have
𝑥 3 − 25𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 48 = (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 + 12) 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 + 12)(𝑥 − 4).
(Note that 𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 + 12 cannot be factored further.)

5. Find the units digit of 11013 + 21013 + 31013 + ⋯ + 20241013 + 20251013 + 20261013 .
Answer: 1
Solution:
Note that numbers with units digits
11013 ≡ 1 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
21013 ≡ 2 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
31013 ≡ 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
41013 ≡ 4 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
51013 ≡ 5 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
61013 ≡ 6 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
71013 ≡ 7 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
81013 ≡ 8 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
91013 ≡ 9 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
01013 ≡ 0 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10.
We have
(11013 + 21013 + 31013 + ⋯ + 20241013 + 20251013 + 20261013 ) 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
≡ (202(1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 0) + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6) 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10
≡ (2(5) + 1) 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10 ≡ 1 𝑚𝑜𝑑 10.
Hence, the units digit is 1.
 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 33
6. Find the value of 𝑦 in the system of linear equations {−5𝑥 + 7𝑦 + 8𝑧 = 86.
3𝑥 − 4𝑦 − 2𝑧 = −29
Answer: 1
Solution:
Let 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 33, −5𝑥 + 7𝑦 + 8𝑧 = 86 and 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 − 2𝑧 = −29 be Eq.1, Eq.2 and Eq.3
respectively.
Now, to eliminate 𝑧,
𝐸𝑞. 4: 4(𝐸𝑞. 1) − 3(𝐸𝑞. 2)
4(4𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 6𝑧) = 4(33)
16𝑥 − 12𝑦 + 24𝑧 = 132
and
3(−5𝑥 + 7𝑦 + 8𝑧) = 3(86)
−15𝑥 + 21𝑦 + 24𝑧 = 258.
Following 4𝐸𝑞. 1 − 3(𝐸𝑞. 2), we have
16𝑥 − (−15𝑥) − 12𝑦 − 21𝑦 = 132 − 258
31𝑥 − 33𝑦 = −126.
Also,
𝐸𝑞. 5: (𝐸𝑞. 2) + 4(𝐸𝑞. 3)
4(3𝑥 − 4𝑦 − 2𝑧) = 4(−29)
12𝑥 − 16𝑦 − 8𝑧 = −116.
Following (𝐸𝑞. 2) + 4(𝐸𝑞. 3), we have
−5𝑥 + 12𝑥 + 7𝑦 − 16𝑦 = 86 − 116
7𝑥 − 9𝑦 = −30.
We then solve for 𝑦 by eliminating 𝑥, that is
7𝐸𝑞. 4 − 31(𝐸𝑞. 5):
7(31𝑥 − 33𝑦) = 7(−126)
217𝑥 − 231𝑦 = −882
and
31(7𝑥 − 9𝑦) = 31(−30)
217𝑥 − 279𝑦 = −930.
Following 7𝐸𝑞. 4 − 31(𝐸𝑞. 5), we have
−231𝑦 − (−279𝑦) = −882 − (−930)
48𝑦 = 48
𝑦 = 1.

7. Find the maximum value of √𝑥 − 14 + √20 − 𝑥.

Answer: 2√3
Solution:
To find the maximum,
𝑥 − 14 = 20 − 𝑥
2𝑥 = 34
𝑥 = 17.
𝑏+𝑎
(Quick Trivia: the value for 𝑥 to get the maximum of √𝑥 − 𝑎 + √𝑏 − 𝑥 is 𝑥 = 2 )
Hence, we have

√17 − 14 + √20 − 17 = √3 + √3 = 2√3.

8. Find the value of 0𝐶010 + 1𝐶110 + 2𝐶210 + 3𝐶310 + 4𝐶410 + 5𝐶510 + 6𝐶610 + 7𝐶710 + 8𝐶810 + 9𝐶910 +
10
10𝐶10 .
Answer: 5120
Solution:
Note that
𝑛
𝑛
∑ 𝑘 ( ) = 𝑛 × 2𝑛−1 .
𝑘
𝑘=0
When 𝑛 = 10, we have
0𝐶010 + 1𝐶110 + 2𝐶210 + 3𝐶310 + 4𝐶410 + 5𝐶510 + 6𝐶610 + 7𝐶710 + 8𝐶810 + 9𝐶910 + 10𝐶10
10
10
10
= ∑𝑘( )
𝑘
𝑘=0
= 10 × 210−1
= 10 × 29
= 10 × 512
= 5120.

9. If 𝛼 and 𝛽 are the roots of the equation 𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 10 = 0, find the value of (𝛼 − 𝛽)2 .
Answer: 104
Solution:
Using Vieta’s formulas, we have
−12
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠: 𝛼 + 𝛽 = − ( ) = 12
1
10
𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠: 𝛼𝛽 = = 10.
1
Now,
(𝛼 − 𝛽)2 = 𝛼 2 − 2𝛼𝛽 + 𝛽 2
(𝛼 − 𝛽)2 = (𝛼 2 + 2𝛼𝛽 + 𝛽 2 ) − 4𝛼𝛽
(𝛼 − 𝛽)2 = (𝛼 + 𝛽)2 − 4𝛼𝛽
(𝛼 − 𝛽)2 = 122 − 4(10)
(𝛼 − 𝛽)2 = 144 − 40 = 104.

2 1 2
10. Find the value of |5 6 9 |.
8 9 12
Answer: −12
Solution:
2(6)(12) + 1(9)(8) + 2(5)(9) − 2(6)(8) − 2(9)(9) − 1(5)(12)
= 144 + 72 + 90 − 96 − 162 − 60
= −12
Section B:

11. Find the value of √1892 − √1892 − √1892 − √1892 − √…..

Answer: 43
Solution:

Let 𝑥 = √1892 − √1892 − √1892 − √1892 − √….

𝑥 = √1892 − 𝑥
𝑥 2 = 1892 − 𝑥
2
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 1892 = 0
(𝑥 − 43)(𝑥 + 44) = 0
𝑥 − 43 = 0
𝑥 = 43

12. Brian draws 3 balls randomly from a bag with 4 red balls and 8 blue balls. Find the probability
that at least one red ball is drawn.
41
Answer: 55
Solution:
𝑃(𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑛)
= 1 − 𝑃(𝑛𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑛)
(40)(83)
= 1 − 12
(3)
1(56)
=1−
220
164
=
220
41
=
55

1 1 1 1 1
13. Determine the value of + + + ⋯+ + .
√784+√786 √786+√788 √788+√790 √1292+√1294 √1294+√1296
Answer: 4
Solution:
Multiply each addend by 1 using its conjugate.
For example:
1 √784 − √786 √784 − √786 √784 − √786
× = =
√784 + √786 √784 − √786 784 − 786 −2
Doing this to all of the addends, we have
1
− (√784 − √786 + √786 − √788 + ⋯ + √1292 − √1294 + √1294 − √1296)
2
1
= − (√784 − √1296)
2
1
= − (28 − 36)
2
= 4.
14. It is known that log12 (log 8 (log 4 𝑥)) = 0. Find the value of 𝑥.
Answer: 65536
Solution:
log 8 (log 4 𝑥) = 120
log 8 (log 4 𝑥) = 1
log 4 𝑥 = 81
𝑥 = 48
𝑥 = 65536
1 1
15. If 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑥 + 𝑥 = 5, find the value of 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 4 .
Answer: 527
Solution:
1 2
(𝑥 + ) = 52
𝑥
2
1 1
𝑥 + 2(𝑥) ( ) + 2 = 25
𝑥 𝑥
2
1
𝑥 + 2 + 2 = 25
𝑥
1 2
(𝑥 + 2 ) = 232
2
𝑥
1 1
𝑥 4 + 2(𝑥 2 ) ( 2 ) + 4 = 529
𝑥 𝑥
4
1
𝑥 + 2 + 4 = 529
𝑥
4
1
𝑥 + 4 = 527
𝑥

16. 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, and 𝐷 are points on a circle. 𝐴𝐵 intersects 𝐶𝐷 at 𝑃, where 𝐴𝐵 ⊥ 𝐶𝐷. It is known that
𝐴𝑃, 𝑃𝐵, 𝐶𝑃, and 𝐷𝑃 are 19,85,95, and 17 respectively. Find the area of this circle in terms of 𝜋.
Answer: 4225𝜋
Solution:
Consider the figure below.

Note that if a line segment from the center, preferably a radius or diameter is perpendicular to a
chord, then it bisects the chord.
In this case, we have
19 + 85
𝑥= = 52.
2
 Also,
95 + 17
𝑦= − 17 = 56 − 17 = 39.
2
Solving for 𝑟 2 , we have
𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 522 + 392 = 4225.
Hence, the area of the circle is
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝜋𝑟 2 = 4225𝜋.

17. If 𝑥 2 − 2𝑚𝑥 + 3𝑚 + 18 can be written as a perfect square of a polynomial, find the sum of
value(s) of 𝑚.
Answer: 3
Solution:
Let
𝑥 2 − 2𝑚𝑥 + 3𝑚 + 18 = (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎2 .
Matching the coefficients, we have
−2𝑚 = −2𝑎 => 𝑚 = 𝑎
and
3𝑚 + 18 = 𝑎2 .
Substituting 𝑎 = 𝑚 to 𝑎2 = 3𝑚 + 18, we have
𝑚2 = 3𝑚 + 18
𝑚2 − 3𝑚 − 18 = 0
(𝑚 − 6)(𝑚 + 3) = 0
We have
𝑚 − 6 = 0 => 𝑚 = 6
𝑚 + 3 = 0 => 𝑚 = −3.
Hence, the sum of values of 𝑚 is −3 + 6 = 3.

18. It is known that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑, and that 𝑓(−2) = −55, 𝑓(0) = −13, 𝑓(1) =
−10, and 𝑓(2) = 13. Find the value of 4𝑎 + 3𝑏 + 2𝑐 + 𝑑.
Answer: −1
Solution:
𝑓(−2) = 𝑎(−2)3 + 𝑏(−2)2 + 𝑐(−2) + 𝑑 = −8𝑎 + 4𝑏 − 2𝑐 + 𝑑 = −55
𝑓(0) = 𝑎(0)3 + 𝑏(0)2 + 𝑐(0) + 𝑑 = 𝑑 = −13
𝑓(1) = 𝑎(1)3 + 𝑏(1)2 + 𝑐(1) + 𝑑 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 = −10
𝑓(2) = 𝑎(2)3 + 𝑏(2)2 + 𝑐(2) + 𝑑 = 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 + 2𝑐 + 𝑑 = 13
Substituting 𝑑 = −13 to the equations obtained from 𝑓(−2), 𝑓(1), and 𝑓(2), we have
−8𝑎 + 4𝑏 − 2𝑐 − 13 = −55 => −8𝑎 + 4𝑏 − 2𝑐 = −42
𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 13 = −10 => 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 3
8𝑎 + 4𝑏 + 2𝑐 − 13 = 13 => 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 + 2𝑐 = 26.
Solving for 𝑏, we have
−8𝑎 + 4𝑏 − 2𝑐 = −42
+ 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 + 2𝑐 = 26
8𝑏 = −16
𝑏 = −2.
Substituting 𝑏 = −2,
−8𝑎 + 4(−2) − 2𝑐 = −42 => −8𝑎 − 2𝑐 = −34
𝑎 − 2 + 𝑐 = 3 => 𝑎 + 𝑐 = 5 => 𝑐 = 5 − 𝑎.
 Substituting 𝑐 = 5 − 𝑎 to −8𝑎 − 2𝑐 = −34, we have
−8𝑎 − 2(5 − 𝑎) = −34
−8𝑎 − 10 + 2𝑎 = −34
−6𝑎 = −24
𝑎 = 4.
This follows that 𝑐 = 5 − 4 = 1.
Hence, we have
4𝑎 + 3𝑏 + 2𝑐 + 𝑑
= 4(4) + 3(−2) + 2(1) − 13
= 16 − 6 + 2 − 13
= −1.

19. In Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶, ∠𝐴 = 45°, 2∠𝐵 = 7∠𝐶, and 𝐴𝐵 = 3. Find the value of 𝐵𝐶. (Answer in simplest surd
form)
Answer: 3√2
Solution:
Note that
∠𝐴 + ∠𝐵 + ∠𝐶 = 180°.
7
45° + ∠𝐶 + ∠𝐶 = 180°
2
9
∠𝐶 = 180° − 45° = 135°
2
9∠𝐶 = 270°
∠𝐶 = 30°.
Using sine law, we have
sin ∠𝐶 sin ∠𝐴
=
𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐵(sin ∠𝐴)
𝐵𝐶 =
sin ∠𝐶
3(sin 45°)
𝐵𝐶 =
(sin 30°)
√2
𝐵𝐶 = 3 ( 2 ) = 3√2.
1
2

20. If 𝑎𝑛 is a positive integer for all 𝑛 is an integer, how many number(s) of sets of solutions do 𝑎1 +
𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + 𝑎5 < 26 have?
Answer: 53130
Solution:
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + 𝑎5 < 26
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + 𝑎5 + 𝑘 = 26
where 𝑘 is a positive integer.
Using stars and bars, we have
26 − 1
( )
6−1
25
=( )
5
25!
=
5! 20!
 25(24)(23)(22)(21)(20!)
=
5(4)(3)(2)(20!)
25(24)(23)(22)(21)
=
5(4)(3)(2)
= 53130.

Section C:
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
21. Solve for the value of 𝑥 in 1+2 + 1+2+3 + 1+2+3+4 + ⋯ + 1+2+3+⋯+1013 = 506.
Answer: 507
Solution:
Note that
1 1 1 1 2𝑛
1+ + + + ⋯+ = .
1+2 1+2+3 1+2+3+4 1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯+ 𝑛 𝑛 +1
We have
1 1 1 1
𝑥( + + + ⋯+ ) = 506
1+2 1+2+3 1+2+3+4 1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 1013
2(1013)
𝑥( − 1) = 506
1013 + 1
2026
𝑥( − 1) = 506
1014
1012
𝑥( ) = 506
1014
506
𝑥( ) = 506
507
𝑥 = 507.

22. It is known that 2024! can be written in the form 𝑘 × 11𝑛 , where 𝑘 and 𝑛 are positive integers.
Find the largest possible value of 𝑛.
Answer: 201
Solution:
We count the number of 11s in 2024!.
We have
2024
⌊ ⌋ = 184
11
184
⌊ ⌋ = 16
11
16
⌊ ⌋ = 1.
11
Adding them all together, we have
184 + 16 + 1 = 201.

23. Factorize (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 6) + 28.

Answer: (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 22)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 10) 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 10)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 22)
Solution:
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 6) + 28
= (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 24) + 28
Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 16.
We have
(𝑦 + 8)(𝑦 − 8) + 28
= 𝑦 2 − 64 + 28
 = 𝑦 2 − 36
= (𝑦 + 6)(𝑦 − 6).
Substituting 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 16 back, we have
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 16 + 6)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 16 − 6)
= (𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 10)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 22) 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 22)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 10).
2

24. Define ∏𝑛𝑖=1 𝑓(𝑖) = 𝑓(1) × 𝑓(2) × 𝑓(3) × … × 𝑓(𝑛). Find the value of ∏2024
𝑘=1 log 𝑘 .
Answer: 0
Solution:
2024

∏ log 𝑘 = log 1 × log 2 × log 3 × … × log 2023 × log 2024

𝑘=1
Note that log 1 = 0.
Hence, the product is 0.
2𝑥 ≡ 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
25. If 𝑥 is a 4-digit integer satisfying {5𝑥 ≡ 7 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11, find the smallest possible value of 𝑥.
3𝑥 ≡ 8 𝑚𝑜𝑑 13
Answer: 1944
Solution:
2𝑥 ≡ 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
2𝑥 ≡ 10 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
𝑥 ≡ 5 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7

5𝑥 ≡ 7 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
5𝑥 ≡ 40 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
𝑥 ≡ 8 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11

3𝑥 ≡ 8 𝑚𝑜𝑑 13
3𝑥 ≡ 21 𝑚𝑜𝑑 13
𝑥 ≡ 7 𝑚𝑜𝑑 13
We will use Chinese Remainder Theorem.
5 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7 8 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11 7 𝑚𝑜𝑑 13
𝑥≡ 11 × 13 × 4 7 × 13 × (−1) 7 × 11 × 6
𝑥≡ 572 −91 462
We have
𝑥 ≡ (572 − 91 + 462) (𝑚𝑜𝑑 (𝐿𝐶𝑀(7,11,13)))
𝑥 ≡ 943 (𝑚𝑜𝑑 1001)
𝑥 ≡ 1944 (𝑚𝑜𝑑 1001).
Thus, the smallest value of 𝑥 is 1944.