IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT

Chapter 1 - Algebraic identities & Equations

Algebraic Identities
Following identities are handy to solve common questions in polynomial algebra. Proofs of these
identities can be done by simple mathematics.
(a) (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
(b) (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
(c) 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏)
(d) (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 2𝑏𝑐 + 2𝑐𝑎
(e) 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 )
(f) 𝑎3 − 𝑏 3 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 )
(g) (𝑎 + 𝑏)3 = 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 3𝑎𝑏(𝑎 + 𝑏)
(h) (𝑎 − 𝑏)3 = 𝑎3 − 𝑏 3 − 3𝑎𝑏(𝑎 − 𝑏)
1
(i) (𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑐) = 2 [(𝑎 − 𝑏)2 + (𝑏 − 𝑐)2 + (𝑐 − 𝑎)2 ]

Binomial Expansions
Theorem 1.1 (Binomial Square Expansions)

(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 + 4𝑥𝑦

(𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)2 − 4𝑥𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 + (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = 2(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )
(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 − (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = 4𝑥𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + 2(𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥𝑧)

Theorem 1.2 (Binomial Cube Expansions)

(𝑥 + 𝑦)3 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑦) + 𝑦 3 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 3

(𝑥 − 𝑦)3 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦(𝑥 − 𝑦) − 𝑦 3 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 − 𝑦 3

𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧 = (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧)

1
Special case: if (𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑐) = 2 [(𝑎 − 𝑏)2 + (𝑏 − 𝑐)2 + (𝑐 − 𝑎)2 ] = 0 then 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑐
(1) 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 − 3𝑎𝑏𝑐 = (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑐)
1
= (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)[(𝑎 − 𝑏)2 + (𝑏 − 𝑐)2 + (𝑐 − 𝑎)2 ]
2

Case I: if 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0, then 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 = 3𝑎𝑏𝑐

Case II: if 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 − 3𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 0, then either 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0 or 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑐

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 1
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
Theorem 1.3
1
If 𝑥 + = 𝑎
𝑥
then
1
𝑥2 + = 𝑎2 − 2
𝑥2
1
𝑥 3 + 3 = 𝑎3 − 3𝑎
𝑥
1
𝑥 4 + 4 = (𝑎2 − 2)2 − 2
𝑥

1 1 1 1
Example 1: If 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 = 23, find the values of (𝑥 + 𝑥) , (𝑥 − 𝑥), and (𝑥 4 + 𝑥 4 ).
Solution:

1
𝑥2 + = 23 … … … … . (i)
𝑥2
1
⇒ 𝑥 2 + 2 + 2 = 25 [Adding 2 on both sides of (i)]
𝑥
1 2 1 1 2
⇒ (𝑥) + ( ) + 2 ⋅ 𝑥 ⋅ = 25 ⇒ (𝑥 + ) = (5)2
2
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
1
⇒ 𝑥 + = ±5
𝑥
2
1 1 1 2
(𝑥 − ) = 𝑥 2 + 2 − 2 ⇒ (𝑥 − ) = 23 − 2 = 21
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
1
⇒ (𝑥 − ) = ±√21
𝑥
2
1 1
(𝑥 2 + 2 ) = (𝑥 4 + 4 ) + 2
𝑥 𝑥
4
1 2
1 2
⇒ (𝑥 + 4 ) = (𝑥 + 2 ) − 2
𝑥 𝑥
1
⇒ (𝑥 4 + 4 ) = (23)2 − 2 = 529 − 2
𝑥
1
⇒ (𝑥 4 + 4 ) = 527
𝑥

Example 2: Real numbers x and y satisfy x + y = 4 and 𝑥𝑦 = −2.

𝑥3 𝑦3
What is the value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦?
Solution:
𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑦3 𝑦3
= 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
𝑥3 𝑦3
𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦 𝑥 3 +𝑦 3 𝑥 3 +𝑦 3 (𝑥 3 +𝑦 3 )(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 )
= + = 𝑆 (𝑙𝑒𝑡)
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2𝑦2

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 2
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
𝑥 + 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
3 3 2

= (4)((𝑥 + 𝑦)2 − 3𝑥𝑦)

= 4(42 − 3(−2))
= 4(16 + 6)
= 4(22) = 88

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)2 − 2𝑥𝑦
= 42 − 2(−2)
= 20

88 × 20
𝑆= = 440
(−2)2

Example 3: Find 𝑎 & 𝑏 ∈ 𝑅 if 𝑎2 + 4𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 − 6𝑏 + 3 = 0

Solution:

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 3𝑏 2 − 6𝑏 + 3 = 0
(𝑎 − 𝑏)2 + 3(𝑏 − 1)2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑎 = 𝑏&𝑏 = 1
𝑎=𝑏=1

Example 4: Determine 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 ∈ ℝ, such that

2𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 − 8𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 16𝑧 + 35 = 0

Solution:
2𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 − 8𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 16𝑧 + 35 = 0
⇒ (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 + (𝑥 + 𝑧)2 + 𝑧 2 − 16𝑧 − 8𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 35 = 0
⇒ (𝑥 − 𝑦 − 1)2 + (𝑥 + 𝑧 − 3)2 + 𝑧 2 − 10𝑧 + 25 = 0
⇒ (𝑥 − 𝑦 − 1)2 + (𝑥 + 𝑧 − 3)2 + (𝑧 − 5)2 = 0

Thus, 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1, 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 3, 𝑧 = 5 and hence, 𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −3.

Thus, the solution is 𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −3 and 𝑧 = 5.

Example 5: Find the value of (28)3 − (78)3 + (50)3

Solution:
Let 𝑎 = 28, 𝑏 = −78, 𝑐 = 50
Then, 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 28 − 78 + 50 = 0

∴ 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 = 3𝑎𝑏𝑐.

So, (28)3 + (−78)3 + (50)3 = 3 × 28 × (−78) × 50 = −327600.

Example 6: If 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 9 and 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑎𝑐 = 26, find the value of 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 − 3𝑎𝑏𝑐

Solution:
We have 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 9 ……………. (i)

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 3
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
2
⇒ (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐) = 81 [ On squaring both sides of (i) ]
2 2 2
⇒ 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 2(𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑎𝑐) = 81
⇒ 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 + 2 × 26 = 81 [∵ 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑎𝑐 = 26]
2 2 2
⇒ 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = (81 − 52) ⇒ 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 = 29

Now, we have

𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 − 3𝑎𝑏𝑐 = (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑐)

= (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)[(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ) − (𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑎𝑐)]
= 9 × [(29 − 26)] = (9 × 3) = 27

Example 7: If 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 + 9𝑧 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 − 6𝑦𝑧 − 3𝑧𝑥 = 0; then find 𝑥: 𝑦: 𝑧 = ?

Solution:
Given 𝑥 2 + (2𝑦)2 + (3𝑧)2 − 𝑥 ⋅ 2𝑦 − 2𝑦 ⋅ 3𝑧 − 3𝑧 ⋅ 𝑥

1
= [(𝑥 − 2𝑦)2 + (2𝑦 − 3𝑧)2 + (3𝑧 − 𝑥)2 ] = 0
2
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
Only possibility is 𝑥 = 2𝑦 = 3z or 6 = =2
3

⇒ 𝑥: 𝑦: 𝑧 = 6: 3: 2

Cyclic Symmetric Expressions

An expression 𝑓(𝑥, 𝛾, 𝑧) is said to be a cyclic expression if 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑓(𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑧, 𝑥, 𝑦).

For the sake of brevity, we use the symbols ∑ and Π to write the cyclic expressions.
∑ is used for sum of terms and Π is used for product of terms.
The addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or division of two cyclic polynomials always results in a
cyclic polynomial.
Here are some common factors and their cyclic representatives for a cyclic polynomial with 3 variables:

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 4
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
Higher Power Factorizations

Theorem - (nth power Factorizations)

Sum of odd powers

𝑥 2𝑛+1 + 𝑦 2𝑛+1 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 2𝑛 − 𝑥 2𝑛−1 𝑦 + 𝑥 2𝑛−2 𝑦 2 − ⋯ − 𝑥𝑦 2𝑛−1 + 𝑦 2𝑛 )

Note: The signs in the second term alternate between positive and negative

𝑥 𝑛 − 𝑦 𝑛 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑥 𝑛−2 𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑛−3 𝑦 2 + ⋯ + 𝑥𝑦 𝑛−2 + 𝑦 𝑛−1 )

Note: The signs in second term are all positive

Theorem - (Simon's Favorite Factoring Trick)

𝑥𝑦 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦 + 𝑗𝑘 = (𝑥 + 𝑗)(𝑦 + 𝑘)

Remark
You can generally apply this factorization when you have 𝑥𝑦, 𝑥, and 𝑦 terms. After applying the
factorization, you can then find all possible values for each of your terms in your factorization (remember
negatives!).

Example 8: Find integral solution (x, y) such that xy = x + y

Solution:
𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 + 1 = 1
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑦 − 1) = 1
𝑥 − 1 = 1&𝑦 − 1 = 1 or 𝑥 − 1 = −1&𝑦 − 1 = −1
𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 2 or 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0

Example 9: The product of four distinct positive integer 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 is 40320. The numbers also satisfy
𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 322 and 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 398. Find the value of 𝑑.

Solution:

𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 322
⇒ (𝑎 + 1)(𝑏 + 1) = 323 = 17 × 19 … (i)
and 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 398
⇒ (𝑏 + 1)(𝑐 + 1) = 399 = 19 × 21 … (ii)

From (i) and (ii), we get

𝑎 + 1 = 17 𝑏 + 1 = 19 𝑐 + 1 = 21
𝑎 = 16 𝑏 = 18 𝑐 = 20
⇒ 𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑 = 40320
40320
⇒ 𝑑= =7
𝑎𝑏𝑐

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 5
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT

Sophie-Germain's Identity

𝑥 4 + 4𝑦 4 = (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 )(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 )

Example 10: What is the remainder when 2202 + 202 is divided by 2101 + 251 + 1?
Solution:

𝑦 = 250

22 (2200 ) = 22 (250 )4 = 4𝑦 4
2(250 )2 + 2(250 ) + 1 = 1 + 2𝑦 + 2𝑦 2
2202 + 202 = 4𝑦 4 + 202
= (4𝑦 4 + 1) + 201
= (1 + 2𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 )(1 − 2𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 ) + 201

So, remainder will be 201 .

Example 11: Prove that 6400000001 is a composite number

Solution:
Given number 𝑁 = 64 × 108 + 1

𝑁 = 4 × (2 × 100)4 + 14
= 4𝑎4 + 𝑏 4 ; 𝑎 = 200; 𝑏 = 1
= (2𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 )(2𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 ) … … … (𝑖)

By Sophie Germain's Identity

By (i) we can say that
N has more than 2 factors, hence composite

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 6
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
Algebraic Equations
Once you've found the system of equations in your word problem and/or the problem itself gives you a
system of equation, you should consider one or more of the following methods for solving them.

Concept - (Algebraic Equations Techniques)

1 Substitution
2 Elimination
3 Adding/Subtracting/Multiplying Equations
4 Group terms together
5 Find common denominator
6 Don't always have to find every variable
7 Use symmetry between variables
8 Make smart substitutions that can simplify your expression
9 Look for common factorizations

Example 1: Solve for both roots of 10000𝑥 4 − 5000𝑥 3 + 825𝑥 2 − 50𝑥 + 1 = 0.

Solution:

Let

y = 10x
y 4 − 5y3 + 8.25y 2 − 5y + 1 = 0
5 1
y 2 − 5y + 8.25 − + =0
y y2
 2 1   1
 y + 2  − 5  y +  + 8.25 = 0
 y   y
1
𝑎=𝑦+
𝑦
1
𝑎2 − 2 = 𝑦 2 +
𝑦2
(𝑎2 − 2) − 5𝑎 + 8.25 = 0
𝑎2 − 5𝑎 + 6.25 = 0
(𝑎 − 2.5)2 = 0
𝑎 = 2.5

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 7
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
1
2.5 = y +
y
2.5y = y 2 + 1
y 2 − 2.5y + 1 = 0
2y 2 − 5y + 2 = 0
5  25 − 16 513
y= =
4 4
1
y = 2,
2
1 1
x=
20 5

Example 2: If

2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 36
𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 40
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 32

Find 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧.

Solution: This is a classic equation problem that uses a very powerful technique.
Do you notice anything similar about the equations?
Indeed! All 3 equations have 2 of one of the variables 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 and 1 of the other 2 variables. So, the equations
are symmetric!

How can we use the symmetry?

Let's rewrite the equations as follows:

𝑥 + (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) = 36
𝑦 + (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) = 40
𝑧 + (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) = 32

Notice how each equation simply consists of the sum 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 plus an additional 𝑥, 𝑦, or 𝑧. The sum 𝑥 +
𝑦 + 𝑧 reoccurs in every equation.

How can we make another 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 term?

We can add all 3 equations together!. This will give us

(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) + 3(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) = 4(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) = 36 + 40 + 32 = 108

This simplifies to 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 27.

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 8
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
Example 3:

Solve for 𝑎 in

𝑎2 𝑏 =4
𝑏2𝑐 =3
𝑐2𝑎 = 18

Solution:

Substitutión

4
𝑏=
𝑎2
4 2
( 2) ⋅ 𝑐 = 3
𝑎
3 3 3𝑎4
𝑐= = 16 =
4 2 16
(𝑎2 ) 𝑎4
2
3𝑎4
( ) ⋅ 𝑎 = 18, a = 2
16

Eliminations

(𝑎2 𝑏)(𝑏 2 𝑐)(𝑐 2 𝑎) = 12 ⋅ 18

𝑎3 𝑏 3 𝑐 3 = (15 − 3)(15 + 3)
= 152 − 32
= 216
𝑎𝑏𝑐 6
=
𝑏2𝑐 3
𝑎
= 2 𝑎2 𝑏 = 4
𝑏
𝑎3 = 8
𝑎=2

Example 4: If 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧 are positive numbers satisfying

1 1 1 7
𝑥+ = 4, 𝑦 + = 1, and 𝑧 + =
𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 3

Then what is the value of 𝑥𝑦𝑧?

Solution:

We multiply all given expressions to get:

1 1 1 1 28
(1)𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 + + + + =
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥𝑦𝑧 3

Adding all the given expressions gives that

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ
|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 9
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
1 1 1 7 22
(2)𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 + + + = 4 + + 1 =
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 3 3
1
We subtract (2) from (1) to get that 𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 2. Hence, by inspection, xyz = 1

1 1 2
Example 5: Find the positive solution to 𝑥 2 −10𝑥−29 + 𝑥 2 −10𝑥−45 − 𝑥 2 −10𝑥−69 = 0

Solution:

We could clear out the denominators by multiplying, though that would be unnecessarily tedious.
To simplify the equation, substitute 𝑎 = 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 29 (the denominator of the first fraction). We can
1 1 2
rewrite the equation as 𝑎 + 𝑎−16 − 𝑎−40 = 0. Multiplying out the denominators now, we get:

(𝑎 − 16)(𝑎 − 40) + 𝑎(𝑎 − 40) − 2(𝑎)(𝑎 − 16) = 0

Simplifying, −64𝑎 + 40 × 16 = 0, so 𝑎 = 10. Re-substituting, 10 = 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 29 ⟺ 0 = (𝑥 −

13)(𝑥 + 3). The positive root is 13.

Example 6: Let (𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐) be the real solution of the system of equations 𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 2, 𝑦 3 − 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 6, 𝑧 3 −
𝑚
𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 20. The greatest possible value of 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 can be written in the form 𝑛 , where 𝑚 and 𝑛 are
relatively prime positive integers. Find 𝑚 + 𝑛.
Solution:
Add the three equations to get 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 = 28 + 3𝑎𝑏𝑐. Now, let 𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 𝑝 ⋅ 𝑎 = 3√𝑝 + 2, 𝑏 = 3√𝑝 + 6
and 𝑐 = 3√𝑝 + 20, so 𝑝 = 𝑎𝑏𝑐 = ( 3√𝑝 + 2)( 3√𝑝 + 6)( 3√𝑝 + 20). Now cube both sides; the 𝑝3 terms cancel
15 15
out. Solve the remaining quadratic to get 𝑝 = −4, − 7 . To maximize 𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 + 𝑐 3 choose 𝑝 = − and so
7
45 196−45
the sum is 28 − = giving 151 + 7 = 158.
7 7

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 10
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
EXERCISE – 1
1. Suppose that the number 𝑎 satisfies the equation 4 = 𝑎 + 𝑎−1 . What is the value of 𝑎4 + 𝑎−4

2. If 𝑥 > 𝑦, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8, and 𝑥𝑦 = 4, the value of 𝑥 4 − 𝑦 4 is 𝑎√𝑏. Find 𝑎 + 𝑏.

1
3. If 𝑥 + 𝑥 = 3, then what is the value of:
1 1 1
a. 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 b. 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 3 c. 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 4

𝑎 𝑏
4. Two non-zero real numbers, 𝑎 and 𝑏, satisfy 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 − 𝑏. Find a possible value of 𝑏 + 𝑎 − 𝑎𝑏

5. If 𝑥 = 2 + 22/3 + 21/3 , then the value of 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 is

(A) 3 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) -2

𝑥 4 −6𝑥 3 −2𝑥 2 +18𝑥+23

6. Find the value of when 𝑥 = √19 − 8√3
𝑥 2 −8𝑥+15

7. If 𝑎2 + 2𝑏 = 7, 𝑏 2 + 4𝑐 = −7 and 𝑐 2 + 6𝑎 = −14, then the value of (𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ) is:

(A) 14 (B) 25 (C) 36 (D) 47

8. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are real numbers such that 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 = 1, then

(3𝑎 + 5𝑏 − 8𝑐)2 + (−8𝑎 + 3𝑏 + 5𝑐)2 + (5𝑎 − 8𝑏 + 3𝑐)2 is equal to

(A) 49 (B) 98 (C) 147 (D) 294

3𝑥+𝑦 𝑥+3𝑦
9. Supposed that 𝑥 and 𝑦 are nonzero real numbers such that 𝑥−3𝑦 = −2. What is the value of 3𝑥−𝑦 ?

10. Suppose that real number 𝑥 satisfies

√49 − 𝑥 2 − √25 − 𝑥 2 = 3

What is the value of √49 − 𝑥 2 + √25 − 𝑥 2 ?

11. Let 𝑎 + 1 = 𝑏 + 2 = 𝑐 + 3 = 𝑑 + 4 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 5. What is 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑?

2 2
12. Given that 𝑥 and 𝑦 are distinct nonzero real numbers such that 𝑥 + 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 𝑦, what is 𝑥𝑦 ?

2𝑥+3𝑦 4𝑦+7𝑧 6𝑧+5𝑥

13. If = = 2𝑐−3𝑎, find the value of 11𝑥 + 17𝑦 + 20𝑧.
𝑎−2𝑏 3𝑏−𝑐
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) None of these

14. Factorize 2𝑏 2 𝑐 2 + 2𝑐 2 𝑎2 + 2𝑎2 𝑏 2 − 𝑎4 − 𝑏 4 − 𝑐 4 and find its value,

when 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 𝑎 = 7, 𝑐 + 𝑎 − 𝑏 = 10, and 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 = 3

(A) 3500 (B) 2100 (C) 4200 (D) Cannot be determined

15. If 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥𝑧 = 135, 𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥𝑦 = 351, and 𝑧 2 + 𝑥𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 = 243, then 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 =

(A) 225 (B) 25 (C) 275 (D) 300

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ
|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 11
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
𝑎 𝑎+𝑏 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐+𝑑 𝑎
16. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 are positive real numbers, such that 3 = = = , then 𝑏+2𝑐+3𝑑 is
4 5 6
1
(A) 2 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) not determinable

EXERCISE – 2

(Level I)
1. Integers 𝑥 and 𝑦 with 𝑥 > 𝑦 > 0 satisfy 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 = 80. What is 𝑥 ?

2. Real numbers 𝑥 and 𝑦 satisfy the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 10𝑥 − 6𝑦 − 34. What is 𝑥 + 𝑦 ?

3. What is the product of the real roots of the equation 𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 + 30 = 2√𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 + 45 ?

4. Five real numbers 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , 𝑥3 , 𝑥4 , 𝑥5 are such that:

√𝑥1 − 1 + 2√𝑥2 − 4 + 3√𝑥3 − 9 + 4√𝑥4 − 16 + 5√𝑥5 − 25

𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥3 + 𝑥4 + 𝑥5
=
2
𝑥1 +𝑥2 +𝑥3 +𝑥4 +𝑥5
The value of is
2
(A) not uniquely determined (B) 55
(C) 110 (D) 210

5. Suppose that 𝑎 + 𝑥 2 = 2006, 𝑏 + 𝑥 2 = 2007 and 𝑐 + 𝑥 2 = 2008 and 𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 3. Find the value of
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 1 1 1
+ 𝑐𝑎 + 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑎 − 𝑏 − 𝑐
𝑏𝑐

6. The number of distinct prime divisors of the number (512)3 − (253)3 − (259)3 is
(A) 4 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 7
1 1 1 1
7. If 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 where (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐) ≠ 0 and 𝑎𝑏𝑐 ≠ 0. What is the value of

(𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑏 + 𝑐)(𝑐 + 𝑎) ?
(A) -1 (B) 1 (C) 0 (D) 2

8. There is a positive integer 𝑛 such that (𝑛 + 1)! + (𝑛 + 2)! = 𝑛! ⋅ 440. What is the sum of the digits
of 𝑛 ?

9. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (1 − 𝑥)2. What is the value of the sum

1 2 3 4 2017 2018
𝑓( )−𝑓( )+𝑓( )−𝑓( ) + ⋯+ 𝑓( )−𝑓( )?
2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019

10. If 𝑦 + 4 = (𝑥 − 2)2 , 𝑥 + 4 = (𝑦 − 2)2 , and 𝑥 ≠ 𝑦, what is the value of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ?

𝑥+𝑦 𝑦+𝑧 𝑧+𝑥
11. If 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥 = 1, then the expression 1−𝑥𝑦 + 1−𝑦𝑧 + 1−𝑧𝑥 is equal to
1 1
(A) 𝑥+𝑦+𝑧 (B) 𝑥𝑦𝑧 (C) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 (D) 𝑥𝑦𝑧

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 12
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
1 1 1 1
12. If 𝑎2 𝑥 3 + 𝑏 2 𝑦 3 + 𝑐 2 𝑧 3 = 𝑝𝑛 , 𝑎𝑥 2 = 𝑏𝑦 2 = 𝑐𝑧 2 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 𝑝 , then √𝑎 + √𝑏 + √𝑐 = √𝑝.
Find value of 𝑛.

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑥3 𝑦3 𝑧3
13. Let 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 be non-zero real numbers such that 𝑦 + 𝑧 + 𝑥 = 7 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 9, then 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 + 𝑥 3 −
3 is equal to:
(A) 152 (B) 153 (C) 154 (D) 155

14. Suppose 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 are real numbers that satisfy:

𝑥+𝑦−𝑧 =5
𝑦+𝑧−𝑥 =7
𝑧+𝑥−𝑦 =9

Find 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 .

(Level II)
15. Compute

(104 + 324)(224 + 324)(344 + 324)(464 + 324)(584 + 324)

.
(44 + 324)(164 + 324)(284 + 324)(404 + 324)(524 + 324)

16. If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive integers such that 𝑎2 + 2𝑏 = 𝑏 2 + 2𝑎 + 5. Then find the value of b.

17. Find 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 if 𝑥 and 𝑦 are positive integers such that

𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 71
𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 2 = 880.
1
18. Suppose that 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧 are three positive numbers that satisfy the equations 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 1, 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 5,
1 1 𝑚
and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 29. Then 𝑧 + 𝑦 = 𝑛 , where 𝑚 and 𝑛 are relatively prime positive integers. Find 𝑚 + 𝑛.

19. Let 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 be real numbers such that 𝑎 − 7𝑏 + 8𝑐 = 4 and 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 − 𝑐 = 7.

Then find 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2

20. Let 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑥, 𝑦 be real numbers such that 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 81, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 121, and 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 99. Then, the
set of all possible values of 𝑎𝑦 − 𝑏𝑥 is:
9 9 9
(A) (0, 11] (B) (0, 11) (C) {0} (D) [11 , ∞)

3 3
√𝑎+ √𝑏 +1
21. The real root of the equation 8𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 1 = 0 can be written in the form , where
𝑐
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are positive integers. Find 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐.

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 13
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
(Level III)

22. The equation 2333𝑥−2 + 2111𝑥+2 = 2222𝑥+1 + 1 has three real roots. Given that their sum is 𝑚/𝑛
where 𝑚 and 𝑛 are relatively prime positive integers, find 𝑚 + 𝑛.

23. Suppose that 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑥, and 𝑦 are real numbers such that 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 3, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑦 2 = 7, 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑦 3 =

16 and 𝑎𝑥 4 + 𝑏𝑦 4 = 42. Find the value of 𝑎𝑥 5 + 𝑏𝑦 5

24. Find 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 if 𝑥 and 𝑦 are integers such that 𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = 30𝑥 2 + 517

EXERCISE – 3 (PYQ’S)
1. Suppose that 4𝑥1 = 5, 5𝑥2 = 6, 6𝑥3 = 7, … . 126𝑥123 = 127, 127𝑥124 = 128. What is the value of the
product 𝑋1, 𝑋2, … , 𝑋124 ? [PRE-RMO-2012]
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑
2. If 𝑎 = 𝑏 − 𝑐, 𝑏 − 𝑐, 𝑏 = 𝑐 − 𝑑, 𝑐 = 𝑑 − 𝑎 and 𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑 ≠ 0 then what is the value of 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 𝑎 ?

[PRE-RMO-2012]

3. Three real number 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 are such that 𝑥 2 + 6𝑦 = −17, 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 = 1, and 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥 = 2. What is the
value of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ? [PRE-RMO-2013]

4. If real number 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑𝑒 satisfy 𝑎 + 1 = 𝑏 + 2 = 𝑐 + 3 = 𝑑 + 4 = 𝑒+= 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 𝑒 + 3,

what is the value of 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑑2 + 𝑒 2 . [PRE-RMO-2014]

5. Let 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … , 𝑥2014 be real number different from 1, such that 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + ⋯ + 𝑥2014 = 1 and

𝑥1 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2
1+𝑥1
+ 1−𝑥2 + ⋯ + 1−𝑥2014 = 1. What is the value of: 1−𝑥1 + 1−𝑥2 + 1−𝑥3 + ⋯ + 1−𝑥2014 ?
2 2014 1 2 3 2014

[PRE-RMO-2014]

6. Let 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 be real numbers such that 𝑎 − 7𝑏 + 8𝑐 = 4 and 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 − 𝑐 = 7. What is the value
of 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ? [PRE-RMO-2015]

𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2
7. Let 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 be such tat 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑃 = 2𝑎2 +𝑏𝑐 + 2𝑏2+𝑐𝑎 + 2𝑐 2 +𝑎𝑏 is defined. What is the
value of 𝑃 ? [PRE-RMO-2015]

8. If the real number 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 are such that 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 + 16𝑧 2 = 48 and 𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦𝑥 + 2𝑧𝑥 = 24, what is
the value of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ? [PRE-RMO-2017]

9. Each of the numbers 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 … … 𝑥10 is ±1. What is the smallest positive value of ∑1≤𝑖≤𝑗≤101 𝑥𝑖 𝑥𝑗 ?

[PRE-RMO-2019]

10. Find the largest value of 𝑎𝑏 such that the positive integers 𝑎, 𝑏 > 1 satisfy. 𝑎𝑏 𝑏 𝑎 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 𝑎 =
5329. [PRE-RMO-2019]

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 14
IOQM Math Booklet Bakliwal Tutorials - IIT
ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE - 1

Q. No. 1 2 3 4 5
(a) 7, (b) 18, (c) 47
Ans. 194 1795 2 2
Q. No. 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. 5 A C 2 8
Q. No. 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. (-10/3) 2 A C C
Q. No. 16
Ans. A

EXERCISE – 2

(Level I)

Q. No. 1 2 3 4 5
Ans. 26 2 20 55 1
Q. No. 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. C C 10 0 15
Q. No. 11 12 13 14
Ans. D 5 C 149

(Level II)
Q. No. 15 16 17 18 19
Ans. 373 3 146 5 1
Q. No. 20 21
Ans. C 98

(Level III)

Q. No. 22 23 24
Ans. 113 20 588

EXERCISE - 3
Q. No. 1 2 3 4 5
Ans. 3.5 0.5 14 10 0
Q. No. 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. 1 1 21 10 81

BRANCHES AT- CAMP|AUNDH|FC ROAD|KOTHRUD| PCMC |VIMAN NAGAR|HADAPSAR|PIMPLE SAUDAGAR|KATRAJ

|SOLAPUR| NAVI MUMBAI
Page 15