JEE ADVANCED

Mathematics
Advaced Problem Package [APP/Notes]
Kumar Neelabh

Basic Algebra [Expressions and Identities / Properties /

Functions / Sequences and Series / Binomial Theorem]
Equations and Inequations
xn yn = [x y][xn-1y0 + xn-2y1 + xn-3y2 + x2yn-3 + x1yn-2 + x0yn-1] i.e. [x
y] multiplied with DEC powers of x and INC powers of y.
Identities :
1
x2 + y2 + z2 xy yz zx = 2 {[x y]2 + [y z]2 + [z x]2}
Complex Numbers
ei and ei(-) are conjugates of each other.
nth Roots of Unity : [wn = 1]
z=

i.

2
. [k ]
n

k varies from 1 to n. OR 0 to n 1. Let w1 , w2 , w3 wn be

the roots.
e

i.

2
. [ k ]
n

i.

=e

2
. [k ]
n

=e

i.

2
. [ nk ]
n

[Think Root Circle]

Since the roots are circular, take any one root, say w, then w , w2 , w3
wn will also be the nth roots of unity. They differ from roots of the form
e

i.

2
. [k ]
n

by a factor of 2.

n1

w1 =w=w

[Think Root Circle]

So take roots as w , w2 , w3 1/w3 , 1/w2 , 1/w

n varies from 1 to 6.

n varies from 1 to 5.

If w is an nth root of unity, wn is also an nth root of unity.

xn 1 = [x 1][x w1][x w2][x w3][x wn-1] i.e. Writing nth roots of

unity in factorized form, as w1 , w2 , w3 are solutions of the equation xn 1.
Identities :
x2 + y2 = [x + iy][x iy]
x3 + y3 = [x + y][x + y][x + 2y]

x3 y3 = [x y][x y][x + y]
x3 + y3 + z3 3xyz = [x + y + z][x + y + 2z][x + 2y + z]
x2 + y2 + z2 xy yz zx = [x + y + 2z][x + 2y + z]

Equations and Inequations

Important Problems
3
4
5
10
11
14
16
19 positive
22
26 E = c = 0
27
33
34
36
38
ADDITIONAL IDENTITIES AND RECURRING EXPRESSIONS
Notes :
Problem Solving Technique #1 [Handling Complicated Expressions]
Attempt to reduce complicated expressions to one consisting of Quadratics.

Type 1 [Expressed as Factors] : Expand to Quadratic!

Type 2 [Higher Order Expression] : Factorize. If not feasible, Express as
Sum of Quadratics/Quartics. Look at the constant term. If it is a sum
of 2 squares, its an indication of Sum.
Type 3 [Rational Expressions] : Identify pattern. Identify the connections
between given expressions. Usually it is addition-type.
Type 4 [Meta Radical] : Either expand it or reduce with recursion (for
infinite sequence).
Always exploit given conditions [a & b are zeroes of] to form relations.
Proceed to apply that relation in the problem. If a variable is expressible in
terms of another, reduce number of variables.

Problem Solving Technique #2 [Series]

Part-A / Sigma Operator :
n

n =
i=1
n

n2
i=1
n

n =
i=1
3

n(n+1)
2
n(n+1)(2 n+1)
6
2

n(n+1)
[
]
2

Sigma Operator is Distributive over Addition and Subtraction but not over
Multiplication and Division.

( )

r ( r +1 ) ( r +2 ) (r + N )
i=1

1
n ( n+1 ) ( n+2 ) (n+ N )(n+ [ N +1 ] )
N +2

Part-B / Progressions
AM GM HM [Equality holds for equal positive terms]

A=

a+b+c+ +n
,G=
n

n abc n , H

1
a

1
n
Arithmetic Progression
nth term = a + [n-1]d

Sum of n terms =

n
2 [a + {a + (n-1)d}] =

Geometric Progression
nth term = arn-1
r n1
Sum of n terms = a r1 ]

Harmonic Progression

n
2 [a + l]

1
b

1
c

++

Convert to corresponding AP.

an =

1
+ ( n1 ) d
a1

Important Properties/Techniques :
1. Take terms of a progression such that the common difference / factor cancels
out on addition [AP] or multiplication [GP].
2. If x, y, z are in GP then log x, log y, log z are in AP and vice versa.
3. The sum of n AMs between two numbers is n times the single AM between
them.
4. The product of n GMs between two numbers is the n th power of a single GM
between them.
5. G2 = AH
Problem Solving Technique #3 [Properties of Roots]
Part-A / Sum and Product
For a polynomial equation : a0xn + a1xn-1 + + an-1x1 + anx0

an
Sn = (1)n. a0
Part-B / Integer, Rational, Irrational, Real and Complex Roots and Their
Occurrence
D>0:
D perfect square and a, b, c rational : Roots are rational
D not perfect square and a, b, c rational : Roots m +

and m

D=0:
Roots are real and equal
D<0:
a, b, c real : Roots are complex conjugates i.e. p + iq and p iq
If a = 1 and b, c are Integers and roots are rational numbers then the roots must
be Integers.
Problem Solving Technique #4 [Piecewise Defined Functions]
Part-A / Greatest Integer Function and Fractional Part Function
I+f Technique for solving problems involving [GIF] and {FPF}.
x = [x] + {x}
I = [x] and f = {x}
x=I+f
Simplify to
a.I2 = b.If + c.f2
Now eliminate f.
a.I2 < b.I + c [f reduces the value, so removing f increases the value]
Solve for I. Find an Integer. Then substitute and solve for f.
Part-B / Absolute Value Function
|x + y| < |x| + |y| [opposite signs]
|x + y| = |x| + |y| [same sign]

|x y| < |x| + |y| [same sign]

|x y| = |x| + |y| [opposite sign]
Problem Solving Technique #5 [Binomial Expansion]

Watch out for

Monic : a = 1
Real Roots : That could be a trap. Apply D 0.
Integers : Problems based on integers are simple. [APP : 9/25/37] .
Constraints which restrict the possible factor-combinations are important.
Check for constraints. Resolve into factors. Substitute for Integers and
Solve.
[Integer]*[Integer] = [Integer]
[Repeated Expression] : Can be substituted.
Greatest Integer Function : Think of cases.
Absolute Value Function : Make cases.
Logarithm Function : By inspection, find any trivial solutions that may
exist. i.e. Make [argument] of log = 1.
Trigonometric Functions : Think of Trigonometric Identities.
Factor : If f is a factor of E and e then it is also a factor of any linear
combination of E and e. Use this to eliminate terms as required.
Calculus : See if Calculus can be applied [Maxima/Minima] [Sign Change]
[Rolles Theorem And Its Application] i.e. In Quadratic, the Extrema lies
between two roots and in Cubic, if there are 3 roots, one root is certainly
between the two Extrema.
Co-Ordinate Geometry : [Difference as Distance]
A general Quadratic Equation represents a Parabola. Maximum
Difference of two terms corresponds to Distance between two points of
a Parabola.
Parabola : y = x2.
P [x, y] = [x, x2]
max[PA PB] = AB
PQ =

( PxQx )2+( PyQy)2

Options : Read them carfefully and decide on the course of

calculations. [Usually 75% or 50% of them are correct]