PRMO - 2017

Regd. Office : Aakash Tower, 8, Pusa Road, New Delhi-110005

Ph.: 011-47623456 Fax : 011-47623472

Answers & Solutions

for
PRMO - 2017
1. How many positive integers less than 1000 have the
property that the sum of the digits of each such
∴ ( a + b ) = 729
3

number is divisible by 7 and the number itself is ∴ a+ b =9

divisible by 3? ∴ Form (2)
Answer (28) ab ( a + b ) = 182
Sol. Sum of the digits is divisible by 7 and number itself 182
is divisible by 3 ⇒ ab =
9
∴ x + y + z = 21, x, y, z are digits 0, 1, 2, ...., 9.
a + b = ( a + b ) − 2 ab
2
∴
∴ Coefficient x21 is (x0 + x1 + ..... + x9)3
364 365
= 81 − =
(1 − x10 )3 9 9
= Coefficient of x21 is
(1 − x )3 9
∴ (a + b ) = 73
= Coefficient of x21 is (1 – 3x10 + 3x20 – x30) 5
(1 + 3C1x + 4C2x2 + ....) 3. A contractor has two teams of workers : team A and
23C team B. Team A can complete a job in 12 days and
= 21 – 3.13C11 + 3.3C1
team B can do the same job in 36 days. Team A
= 28 starts working on the job and team B joins team A
2. Suppose a, b are positive real numbers such that after four days. The team A withdraws after two more
9 days. For how many more days should team B work
a a + b b = 183. a b + b a = 182. Find (a + b ). to complete the job?
5
Answer (16)
Answer (73) 1
Sol. Team A worked for 6 days ⇒ work completed =
2
Sol. ∵ a a + b b = 183
Team B worked for 2 days ⇒ work complete
⇒ ( a ) + ( b ) = 183
3 3
...(1) =
2
=
1
36 18
Also a b + b a = 182
⎛1 1 ⎞ 4
∴ Remaining work = 1 − ⎜ + ⎟=
⇒ ( a)
2
b + a ( b ) = 182
2
...(2) ⎝ 2 18 ⎠ 9
4
Multiply equation (2) by 3 and add to equation (1) ∴ Number of days required = 36 × = 16 days
9
( a ) + ( b ) + 3 a b ( ( a ) + ( b ) ) = 729
3 3
∴ B needs 16 more days
1
 PRMO - 2017

4. Let a, b be integers such that all the roots of the ⎛1 1 1 1 1 1 ⎞ 2p

equation (x 2 + ax + 20)(a 2 + 17x + b) = 0 are ⎜⎝ – + – + ... + – ⎟=
2 3 3 4 10 11⎠ q
negative integers. What is the smallest possible value
of a + b? ∴ q – p = 110 – 27 = 83

Answer (25) 7. Find the number of positive integers n, such that

Sol. ∵ Roots of (x2 + ax + 20)(a2 + 17x + b) = 0 are n + n + 1 < 11 .

negative integers and we required (a + b)min Answer (29)
∴ a, b each should be minimum
Sol. n + n + 1 < 11
a2 – 80 is perfect square and a is a positive
integer n + 1 < 11– n
⇒ amin = 9
n + 1 < 121 + n – 22 n [∵ both sides are positive]
289 – 4b is a perfect square and b is a positive
integer
3600
⇒ bmin = 16 (using 8, 15, 17) ⇒ 11 n < 60 ⇒ n <  29.7
121
∴ (a + b)min = 25
∴ n = 29
5. Let u, v, w be real numbers in geometric progression
8. A pen costs `11 and a notebook costs `13. Find the
such that u > v > w. Suppose u40 = vn = w60. Find
number of ways in which a person can spend
the value of n.
exactly `1000 to buy pens and notebooks.
Answer (48)
Answer (07)
Sol. Let u40 = vn = w60 = K
Sol. Let pens be x and notebooks be y.
1 1 1
∴ u= K 40 , v = Kn, w = K 60 ∴ 11x + 13y = 1000

∵ v2 = uw 11x = 1000 – 13y

2 1 1 when y = 5 then x = 85
∴ Kn = K 40 ⋅ K 60 Now every common number will occur at the interval
2 1 of 11 × 13 = 143 is RHS starting with y = 5, RHS
∴ K n = K 24
is
2 1
∴ = ⇒ n = 48 935, 792, ..., 66
n 24
∴ We obtain total 7 such ordered pairs.
9 1
6. Let the sum ∑ n =1 n (n + 1)(n + 2)
written in its 9. There are five cities A, B, C, D, E on a certain
p island. Each city is connected to every other city by
lowest terms be . Find the value of q – p. road. In how many ways can a person starting from
q
city A come back to A after visiting some cities
Answer (83) without visiting a city more than once and without
9
1 p taking the same road more than once? (The order in
Sol. ∑ ( )(
n n +1 n + 2 )
=
q
which he visits the cities also matters : e.g., the
n =1
routes A → B → C → A and A → C → B → A are
1 9 n+2−n p different)
⇒ ∑ =
2 n =1 n (n + 1)(n + 2) q Answer (60)
9
1 1 2p Sol. He can visit all 4 cities or 3 cities or 2 cities from
⇒ ∑ –
n (n + 1) (n + 1) (n + 2)
=
q B, C, D, E.
n =1

9 If he visits all 4 cities = 4! = 24

⎧⎛ 1 1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 1 ⎞ ⎫ 2p
⇒ ∑ ⎨ ⎜⎝ – ⎟–⎜ – ⎟⎬ =
⎩ n n + 1⎠ ⎝ n + 1 n + 2 ⎠ ⎭ q If he visits 3 cities = 4C3.3! = 24
n =1
If he visits 2 cities = 4C2.2! = 12
⎛ 1 1 1 1 1⎞
⇒ ⎜⎝1 − + – + ... + – ⎟⎠ – ∴ Total ways = 60
2 2 3 9 10
2
 PRMO - 2017

10. There are eight rooms on the first floor of a hotel, 13. In a rectangle ABCD, E is the midpoint of AB : F is a
with four rooms on each side of the corridor, point on AC such that BF is perpendicular to AC : and
symmetrically situated (that is each room is exactly FE perpendicular to BD. Suppose BC = 8 3 . Find
opposite to one other room). Four guests have to be
AB.
accommodated in four of the eight rooms (that is,
one in each) such that no two guests are in Answer (24)
adjacent rooms or in opposite rooms. In how many Sol. Let ∠CAB = ∠ADB = α
ways can the guests be accommodated?
∴ ∠NMB = 2α (From figure)
Answer (48)
D C
Sol. Clearly guests will stay either in ‘ ’ or in ‘X’
F
× ×
M 90 – 2α 2α

× ×
∴ Required way = 2 × 4! = 48 N

α 90 + α 90 – α α
x 3x
11. Let f(x) = sin + cos for all real x. Find the least A
E B
3 10
natural number n such that f(nπ + x) = f(x) for all real x. Let AE = EB = x

Answer (60) BN = xcosα (from ΔENB) ...(1)

= BF sin2α (from ΔBFN) ...(2)
x 3x
Sol. f(x) = sin + cos . We need to find period of f(x). ∵ BF = 2xsinα (from ΔAFB)
3 10
∴ xcosα = (2xsinα) (2sinα cosα) (from (1) & (2))
x
Period of sin = 6π 1
3 ⇒ sinα =
2
3 x 20π
Period of cos = ⇒ α = 30°
10 3
2π ∵ BC = 8 3
(∵ sinaθ, cosaθ are periodic with period )
|a|
AB
∴ In ΔABC, = cot30°
⎛ 20π ⎞ BC
LCM of ⎜ 6π, = 60 π
⎝ 3 ⎟⎠
∴ AB = 8 3 × 3 = 24
∴ Period of f(x) = 60π
14. Suppose x is a positive real number such that {x}, [x]
∴ n = 60 and x are in a geometric progression. Find the least
12. In a class, the total numbers of boys and girls are in positive integer n such that xn > 100 . (Here [x] denotes
the ratio 4 : 3. On one day it was found that 8 boys the integer part of x and {x} = x – [x])
and 14 girls were absent from the class and that the Answer (10)
number of boys was the square of the number of girls.
Sol. ∵ {x}, [x], x are in GP let these be a, ar, ar2
What is the total number of students in the class?
Also as {x} = x – [x]
Answer (42)
∴ a = ar2 – ar
Sol. Let boys be 4x and girls be 3x.
∵ 4x – 8 = (3x – 14)2 1± 5
∴ r2 – r – 1 = 0 ⇒r=
2
∴ 9x2 – 88x + 204 = 0
9x2 – 54x – 34x + 204 = 0 5 +1
∴ r=
2
(9x – 34) (x – 6) = 0
∵ ar = [x] = integer = k (say)
34
x = 6,
9
∴ a=
2k
=
k ( 5 –1 )
∴ Total number of students = 7x = 42 5 +1 2
3
 PRMO - 2017

∵ a = {x} which lies in [0,1) Now, the removed numbers are m, k, then new
n(n + 1)

∴ 0<
k ( 5 –1 ) <1 (as a ≠ 0) average is 17 i.e., 17 = 2
– (m + k )

2 n–2

5 +1 n –1 n+3
Clearly, < 17 <
⇒ 0<k< 2 2
2
⇒ k=1 ⇒ n < 35 & n > 31
∴ n = 32, 33, 34
5 +1
∴ r=
2 n(n + 1)
– (m + k )
n ∵ 17 = 2
⎛ 5 + 1⎞ n–2
∴ xn = (ar2)n = ⎜ ⎟ > 100
⎝ 2 ⎠ n(n + 1) – 34(n – 2)
∴ (m + k ) =
5 + 1 2.23 + 1 2
∵   1.6
2 2 When n = 32 ⇒ m + k = 18

∴ We require (1.6)n > 100 n = 33 ⇒ m + k = 34

n = 34 ⇒ m + k = 51
⎛ 16 ⎞
n log10 ⎜ ⎟ > 2
⎝ 10 ⎠ ∴ (m + k)max = 51

⇒ n(4log10 2 – 1) > 2 16. Five distinct 2-digit numbers are in a geometric

progression. Find the middle term.
nx(.204) > 2
Answer (36)
nmin = 10
Sol. Since all five numbers are 2 digit
15. Integers 1, 2, 3........n, where n > 2. are written on a
board. Two numbers m.k such that l < m < n, l < k < n ∴ Number should have 24 or 34 included no other
are removed and the average of the remaining numbers 3 2
is found to be 17. What is the maximum sum of the possibility and common ratio should be or .
2 3
two removed numbers?
∴ Numbers are 16, 24, 36, 54, 81.
Answer (51)
Sol. Let two numbers moved be 1, 2. 17. Suppose the altitudes of a trianlge are 10, 12 and
15. What is its semi-perimeter?
Then average of remaining (n – 2) numbers
Answer (Non-integer)
n(n + 1)
–3
2 n2 + n – 6 Sol. Altitudes are 10, 12, 15
= x1 = =
n–2 2(n – 2) 1
Δ= a × ha
(n + 3)(n – 2) 2
=
2(n – 2) 2Δ
∴ a=
n+3 ha
=
2 1 1 1
∴ Sides a : b : c = : :
If two numbers be n, n – 1 then ha hb hc
n(n + 1) 1 1 1
– (2n – 1) = : :
x2 = 2 10 12 15
n–2
= 6 : 5 : 4 ⇒ 6λ, 5λ, 4λ
n 2 – 3n + 2
= 15λ
2(n – 2) ∴ s=
2
n –1
= ∴
2 Δ = s(s – a)(s – b)(s – c )
4
 PRMO - 2017

15λ 3λ 5λ 7λ 15λ 2 a + b No. of c (>10 – Values Total

= ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ = 7 values a + b) of c possibilities
2 2 2 2 4 for (a, b)
3 1 c> 7 8, 9 2
1 1
Also Δ = a × ha = 6λ × 10 = 30λ 4 1 c> 6 7, 8, 9 3
2 2
5 2 c> 5 6, 7, 8, 9 2×4=8
6 2 c> 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 4 + 5 = 9
15λ 2
∴ 30λ = 7 7 3 c>3 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 3 + 4 +5 = 12
4 8 3 c> 2 7, 8, 9 2+3+4=9
9 4 c>1 6, 7, 8, 9 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10
8
⇒ λ= 10 3 c> 0 7, 8, 9 1+2+3=6
7 11 3 Any value 7, 8, 9 1+2+3=6
12 2 Any value 8, 9 1+2=3
60
∴ s= (non-integer) 13 2 Any value 8, 9 1+2=3
7 14 1 Any value 9 1

18. If the real numbers x, y, z are such that + + x2 4y2 15 1 Any value 9 1
2
16z = 48 and xy + 4yz + 2zx = 24, what is the ∴ Total ways = 73
value of x2 + y2 + z2?
21. Find the number of ordered triples (a, b, c) of positive
Answer (21) integers such taht abc = 108.
Sol. x 2 + 4y 2 + 16z2 = 48 ...(i) Answer (60)

xy + 4yz + 2zx = 24 ...(ii) Sol. abc = 108

= 22 . 33
Multiply (ii) by 2 and subtract from (i)
Two 2’s in 3 boxes ⇒ x1 + y1 + z1 = 2
∴ x 2 + 4y 2 + 16z 2 – 2xy – 8yz – 2zx = 0
3 + 2−1
⇒ c3−1 = 6
(x – 2y) 2 + (2y – 4z) 2 + (4z – x) 2 = 0
Three 3s in 3 boxes = x2 + y2 + z2 = 3
(∵ a 2 + b 2 + c 2 – ab – bc – ca
3 + 3 −1
= (a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2) ⇒ c3 −1 = 10

x y z ∴ Required ways = 6 × 10 = 60
⇒ x = 2y = 4z ⇒ = = =k
4 2 1 22. Suppose in the plane 10 pairwise non-parallel lines
intersect one another. What is the maximum
Put x, y, z in (i) possible number of polygons (with finite areas) that
16k 2 + 16k 2 + 14k 2 = 48 ⇒ k = 1 can be formed?

∴ x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = 16 + 4 + 1 = 21 Answer (36)
Sol. If we consider the case.
19. Suppose 1, 2, 3 are the roots of the equations x4 +
ax2 + bx = c. Find the value of c.
Answer (36)
Sol. ∵ Sum of the roots = 0
In given figure there are 3 polygon in all. But if we
∴ 1 + 2 + 3 + α = 0 ⇒ α = –6 count non-overlapping polygons then it is 2.
∴ Product of roots = –c = 1 × 2 × 3 × –6 If we consider non-overlapping, then the solution is
as follows :
⇒ c = 36
Total number of regions in which 10 lines divide to
20. What is the number of triples (a, b, c) of positive
n(n + 1)
integers such that (i) a < b < c < 10 and (ii) a, b, plane = +1
2
c, 10 form the sides of a quadrilateral?
10 × 11
Answer (73) = + 1 = 56
2
Sol. a + b + c > 10 , a < b < c < 10 of which exactly 20 are open (unbounded)
⇒ c > 10 – (a + b) ∴ Polygons = 56 – 20 = 36
5
 PRMO - 2017

23. Suppose an integer x a natural number n and a 1

prime number p satisfy the equation 7x2 – 44x + 12 ar(ΔCEF) = 9 = ×a×b
2
= pn. Find the largest value of p. ⇒ ab = 18 ...(ii)
Answer (47)
1
Sol. 7x2 – 44x + 12 = pn ar(ΔADE) = 16 = ( x – b )y
2
⇒ 7x2 – 42x – 2x + 12 = pn ⇒ xy – by = 32 ...(iii)
⇒ (7x – 2)(x – 6) = pn xy – 50
From (i) ⇒ =a ...(iv)
Let 7x – 2 be the prime number x
⇒ x – 6 must be the same prime number or 1 xy – 32
From (iii) ⇒ =b ...(v)
Now, x – 6 = 1 y
⇒ x=7 Using the values of a and b in (ii), we get
Then, 7x – 2 = 7 × 7 – 2 ⎛ xy – 50 ⎞ ⎛ xy – 32 ⎞
⎜ x ⎟×⎜ y
⎟ = 18
= 47, which is a prime number ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
Further, 7x – 2 and x – 6 must be the same prime (xy – 50) (xy – 32) = 18xy
numbers (xy)2 – 50xy – 32xy + 1600 = 18xy
∴ 7x – 2 = x – 6 Let xy = P
⇒ 6x = – 4 ⇒ P 2 – 100P + 1600 = 0
–2 ⇒ P 2 – 80P – 20P + 1600 = 0 [By splitting
⇒ x= ,
3 middle term]
Hence, x ∉ Z ⇒ P(P – 80) – 20(P – 80) = 0
∴ pn = 47 ⇒ P = 20 or 80
p = 47 and n = 1 Now, xy cannot be 20
24. Let P be an interior point of a triangle ABC whose ⇒ xy = 80
sidelengths are 26, 65, 78. The line through P Area of ΔAEF = 80 – (16 + 9 + 25)
parallel to BC meets AB in K and AC in L. The line
= 30 sq. units
through P parallel to CA meets BC in M and BA in
N. The line through P parallel to AB meets CA in S 26. Let AB and CD be two parallel chords in a circle
and CB in T. If KL, MN, ST are of equal lengths, find with radius 5 such that the centre O lies between
this common length. these chords. Suppose AB = 6, CD = 8. Suppose
further that the area of the part of the circle lying
Sol. No such configuration possible.
between the chords AB and CD is (mπ + n)/k,
25. Let ABCD be a rectangle and let E and F be points where m, n, k are positive integers with
on CD and BC respectively such that area(ADE) = GCD(m, n, k) = 1. What is the value of m + n + k?
16, area(CEF) = 9 and area(ABF) = 25. What is the
Answer (75)
area of triangle AEF?
Sol.
Answer (30)

Sol. D x–b E b C M 6
A B
9
a 5 α α 5
16 O
y F
5 β β 5
25 y–a
C 8 N D
A x B
1
ar(ΔAFB) = 25 = x( y – a ) Area of the part of the circle lying between AB and
2 CD is = 2[(ar ΔAOM) + area of sector AOC + (ar
⇒ xy – ax = 50 ...(i) ΔCON)]
6
 PRMO - 2017

⎡1 180° – (α + β) 1 ⎤ In ΔAA'B
= 2⎢ ×3× 4 + × π × 5 × 5 + × 4 × 3⎥
⎣ 2 360 ° 2 ⎦ 5
sin θ = ...(ii)
⎡ 180° – (α + β) ⎤ 2x
= 2 ⎢12 + × 25π⎥
⎣ 360 ° ⎦ From (i) & (ii)
3 y 5
Now, tan α = = ...(iii)
4 x + 10 2 x
4 Similarly
and tan β =
3 y 15
= ...(iv)
tan α + tan β x – 10 2 x
tan ( α + β ) =
1– tan α ⋅ tan β From (iii) & (iv)
3 4 25 5x + 50 = 15x – 150
+
= 4 3 = 12 ⇒ 5x – 15x = –150 – 50
3 4 0
1– × ⇒ –10x = –200
4 3
tan(α + β) = Not defined ⇒ x = 20

⇒ α + β = 90° ∴ Radius of Ω1 = 20
28. Let p, q be prime numbers such that n3pq – n is a
⎡ 180° – 90° ⎤
⇒ Required area = 2 ⎢12 + × 25π ⎥ multiple of 3pq for all positive integers n. Find the
⎣ 360° ⎦ least possible value of p + q.
48 + 25π
= Answer (28)
2
Sol. ∵ n3pq – n = 0 (mod 3)
= (m + nπ)/k
n3pq – n = 0 (mod p)
⇒ m = 48, n = 25, k = 2
n3pq – n = 0 (mod q)
⇒ m + n + k = 75
∴ We need to fulfill following conditions :
27. Let Ω1 be a circle with centre O and let AB be a
diameter of Ω1. Let P be a point on the segment OB (i) (3 – 1) | (pq – 1) ⇒ pq is odd
different from O. Suppose another circle Ω2 with (ii) (p – 1) | (3q – 1)
centre P lies in the interior of Ω1. Tangents are Now 3 must not divide (p – 1) as it doesn’t divide
drawn from A and B to the circle Ω2 intersecting Ω1 (3q – 1)
again at A1 and B1 respectively such that A1 and B1
∴ p – 1 = 3k + 1 or 3k + 2, for some integer k.
are on the opposite sides of AB. Given that A1B = 5,
AB1 = 15 and OP = 10, find the radius of Ω1. ∴ ⇒ p = 3k + 2 or 3k + 3
Answer (20) But p ≠ 3k + 3 (as its prime)
Sol. ∴ p = 3k + 2 clearly p > 3 and k = odd = 2λ +
1 (say)
⇒ p = 6λ + 5
A1 (ii) (q – 1) | (3p – 1) so q will also be 5 (mod 6)
Q
y 5 by trial least values for p & q are 17 and 11.
90–θ
A θ B ∴ p + q = 28
x O 10 P
y x – 10
29. For each positive integer n, consider the highest
R common factor hn of the two numbers n! + 1 and
(n + 1)!. For n < 100, find the largest value of hn.
15
Answer (97)
Sol. HCF of ((n! + 1), (n + 1)!) = h , n < 100
B1 If n + 1 is prime then n! + 1 is divisible by (n + 1).
In ΔAPQ Also (n + 1)! is divisible by it.

y ∴ For n + 1 = 97
sin θ = ...(i)
x + 10 HCF of 96! + 1 & 97! = 97
7
 PRMO - 2017

30. Consider the areas of the four triangles obtained by Case-III

drawing the diagonals AC and BD of a trapezium a2k3 = 1296
ABCD. The product of these areas, taken two at
time, are computed. If among the six products so a2k2 = 576
obtained, two products are 1296 and 576, determine 1296 9
the square root of the maximum possible area of the k= =
576 4
trapezium of the nearest integer.
2 1024
Answer (13) ⇒ a =
9
Sol. Case-I
32
A B ⇒ a=
3
a Area of trapezium = a + ak + ak + ak2
ak = a(k + 1)2
ak
ak
2
9
Case I, when a = 16, k =
4
D C
2
a2k = 576 ⎛ 9⎞
Area = 16 ⎜ 1 + ⎟ = 169 = 13
a2k2 = 1296 ⎝ 4⎠
1296 9
k= = 3
576 4 Case 2, when a = 8 6 , k =
2
⇒ a = 16
Case-II 2
⎛ 3⎞
a2k3 = 1296 Area = 8 × 2.4 ⎜ 1 + ⎟ = 120 = 10.95 approx.
⎝ 2⎠
a2k = 576
1296 9 32 9
k2 = = Case 3, when a = , k=
576 4 3 4
3
k= 32 ⎛ 9 ⎞
2
2
2 Area = 1 + ⎟ = 13
⇒ a2 = 384 3 ⎜⎝ 4⎠ 3

⇒ a=8 6 ∴ Square root of maximum possible area is 13