ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA

AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Instructions:
1. Answer all questions. Each question carries 10 marks.
2. Elegant and innovative solutions will get extra marks.
3. Diagrams and justification should be given wherever necessary.
4. Before starting to answer, fill in the FACE SLIP completely.
5. Your ‘rough work’ should be done in the answer sheet itself.
6. Maximum time allowed is THREE hours.

Question 1:
If 𝑏(𝑎2 − 𝑏𝑐)(1 − 𝑎𝑐) = 𝑎(𝑏 2 − 𝑐𝑎)(1 − 𝑏𝑐) where 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏 and 𝑎𝑏𝑐 ≠ 0, prove that
1 1 1
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 = + +
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

Solution:
Let's start with Left Hand Side (LHS)
L.H.S.= 𝑏(𝑎2 − 𝑏𝑐)(1 − 𝑎𝑐) = 𝑎(𝑏 2 − 𝑐𝑎)(1 − 𝑏𝑐)
⇒ 𝑏(𝑎2 − 𝑎3 𝑐 − 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 ) = 𝑎(𝑏 2 − 𝑏 3 𝑐 − 𝑐𝑎 + 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 )
[Multiplying the terms inside the brackets on both side]
⇒ 𝑎2 𝑏 − 𝑎3 𝑏𝑐 − 𝑏 2 𝑐 + 𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 2 = 𝑎𝑏 2 − 𝑎𝑏 3 𝑐 − 𝑎2 𝑐 + 𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 2
[Removing brackets on both side]
⇒ 𝑎2 𝑏 − 𝑎3 𝑏𝑐 − 𝑏 2 𝑐 + 𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 2 − 𝑎𝑏 2 + 𝑎𝑏 3 𝑐 + 𝑎2 𝑐 − 𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 2 = 0
[Taking all terms on one side]
⇒ (𝑎2 𝑏 − 𝑎𝑏 2 ) + (𝑎𝑏 3 𝑐 − 𝑎3 𝑏𝑐) + (𝑎2 𝑐 − 𝑏 2 𝑐) + (𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 2 ) = 0
[Grouping the similar looking terms]
⇒ 𝑎𝑏(𝑎 − 𝑏) − 𝑎𝑏𝑐(𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 ) + 𝑐(𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 ) − 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 (𝑎 − 𝑏) = 0 [Taking common]
[Taking (𝑎 − 𝑏) common from each term]
⇒ [𝑎𝑏 − 𝑎𝑏𝑐(𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐(𝑎 + 𝑏) − 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 ] = 0 [As 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏 & hence 𝑎 − 𝑏 ≠ 0 ]
𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑏𝑐(𝑎+𝑏) 𝑐(𝑎+𝑏) 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 0
⇒ − + − = 𝑎𝑏𝑐 [As 𝑎𝑏𝑐 ≠ 0 ]
𝑎𝑏𝑐 𝑎𝑏𝑐 𝑎𝑏𝑐 𝑎𝑏𝑐
1 (𝑎 + 𝑏)
⇒
− (𝑎 + 𝑏) + −𝑐 =0
𝑐 𝑎𝑏
1 𝑎 𝑏
⇒ −𝑎−𝑏+ + −𝑐 =0
𝑐 𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑏
1 1 1
⇒ −𝑎−𝑏+ + −𝑐 =0
𝑐 𝑏 𝑎
1 1 1
⇒ + + =𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
1 1 1
⇒ 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = + + = R.H.S. [Hence Proved]
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Question 2:

a, b, c are three distinct positive integers. Show that among the numbers a 5b - ab5, b5c -
bc5, c5a - ca5 there must be one which is divisible by 8

Solution:

Simplifying given expressions,

a5b - ab5 = ab(a4 - b4) = ab(a2 - b2)(a2 + b2)

a5b - ab5 = ab(a + b)(a - b)(a2 + b2) …(1)

Similarly, b5c - bc5 = bc(b4 - c4) = bc(b2 - c2)(b2 + c2)

b5c - bc5 = bc(b + c)(b - c)(b2 + c2) …(2)

And, c5a - ca5 = ca(c4 - a4) = ca(c2 - a2)(c2 + a2)

c5a - ca5 = ca(c + a)(c - a)(c2 + a2) …(3)

Now let's assume that three distinct positive integers as

a = 1, b = 3 and c = 5 then
From (1),
a5b - ab5 = ab(a + b)(a - b)(a2 + b2) = 3 × 4 × -2 × 10
= -(3 × 8 × 10) which is divisible by 8

From (2),
b5c - bc5 = bc(b + c)(b - c)(b2 + c2) = 15 × 8 × -3 × 34 which is divisible by 8

From (3),
c5a - ca5 = ca(c + a)(c - a)(c2 + a2) = 5 × 6 × 4 × 26
= 5 × 3 × 8 × 26 which is divisible by 8

Hence, among the numbers a5b - ab5, b5c - bc5, c5a - ca5 there must be one which is
divisible by 8
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Question 3:

There are four points P, Q, R, S on a plane such that no three of them are collinear. Can
the triangles PQR, PQS, PRS and QRS be such that at least one has an interior angle
less than or equal to 45°? If so, how? If not, why?

Solution.

Yes, it is possible.
Consider square PQRS and draw both diagonals. It has no three points collinear.

Consider, triangle PQR,

∠ PQR = 90°
PQ = RQ
⇒ ∠ QPR = ∠ QRP [By isosceles triangle property]

Thus, by angle sum property

∠ PQR + ∠ QPR + ∠ QRP = 180°
⇒ ∠ QPR = ∠ QRP = 45°

Similarly with other triangles PQS, PRS and QRS.

P Q

S R
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Question 4:

A straight-line l is drawn through the vertex C of an equilateral triangle ABC, wholly lying
outside the triangle. AL, BM are drawn perpendiculars to the straight line l. If N is the
midpoint of AB, prove that Δ LMN is an equilateral triangle.

Solution:

Triangle ABC is equilateral triangle

So,
AB = BC = AC = ‘a’ units and N is the midpoint of AB
𝑎
AN = BN = 2
CN will be the height of the equilateral triangle
3
CN = AL = BL = √2 𝑎
Triangle ALN is right angled triangle, by Pythagoras theorem
LN2 = AL2 + AN2
3 𝑎
LN2 = (√2 𝑎)2 + (2)2
LN = a
as AL is perpendicular to BM
AB = LM = a
LM = LN = MN
So, Δ LMN is an equilateral triangle.

Question 5:

ABCD is parallelogram. Through C, a straight line is drawn outside the parallelogram. AP,
BQ and DR are drawn perpendiculars to the straight line. Show that
AP = BQ + DR. If the line through C cuts one side internally, then will the same result
hold? If so, prove it. If not, what is the corresponding result? Justify the answer.
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Solution:

Construction: Draw BE || CP,

In parallelogram ABCD,
AB || CD,
∠ APQ = ∠ DRC = 90 and PC is transversal.
Hence, these are co-interior angles.
⇒ AP || DR
⇒ AE || DR
⇒ ∠ ABE = ∠ DCR
⇒ ∠ BAE = ∠ CDR
Also, AB = DC,
⇒ △AEB and △DRC are congruent by ASA congruence rule.
⇒ AE = DR (by CPCT) ………… Eq(1)
Since, BE || QP, BQ || EP and BQ & EP are perpendiculars to QP then, BQPE is a
rectangle,
⇒ EP = BQ ………… Eq(2)
Adding Eq(1) and Eq(2) we get: AP = DR + BQ
Now, let’s consider that line from C cuts one side internally i.e. AD.
Construction: Draw AE || PC,
Clearly from the diagram, AP < BQ.
Hence, AP ≠ BQ + DR.
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Question 6:
m, n are non - negative real numbers whose sum is 1. Prove that the maximum and
𝑚3 +𝑛3 1
minimum values of 𝑚2 +𝑛2 are respectively 1 and 2.

Solution:
𝑚3 +𝑛3
Let’s consider the expression 𝑚2 +𝑛2

Given that m and n are non-negative real numbers whose sum is 1, let’s express n in
terms of m using the fact that the sum of m and n is 1.
For maximum value:
Case 1: m, n = 0, 1
Substitute in the given equation
𝑚3 +𝑛3 03 +13 0 +1 1
= 02 +12 = 0 +1 = 1 = 1
𝑚2 +𝑛2

Case 2: m, n = 1,0
Substitute in the given equation
𝑚3 +𝑛3 13 +03 1 +0 1
= 12 +02 = 1 +0 = 1 = 1
𝑚2 +𝑛2

Case 3: m, n < 1
Statement : Cube of a number which is less than 1 is always smaller than the square of
the same number.
𝑚3 < 𝑚2 ………… Eq(1)
𝑛3 < 𝑛2 ………… Eq(2)
Adding Eq(1) and Eq(1)
𝑚 3 + 𝑛3 < 𝑚 2 + 𝑛2
Divide by 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 on both sides
𝑚3 +𝑛3 𝑚2 +𝑛2
< 𝑚2 +𝑛2
𝑚2 +𝑛2
𝑚3 +𝑛3
<1
𝑚2 +𝑛2
𝑚3 +𝑛3
From case 1, 2 and 3 we can say that the maximum value of is 1.
𝑚2 +𝑛2

For minimum value let us assume m = n

 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

m+n=1
n+n=1
2n = 1
1
n =2
1 1
If m = then n is also equal to .
2 2
Substitute the values in the given equation
13 13 13
𝑚3 +𝑛3 2
+
2
2𝑥
2 1 3−2 1
= 2 12
= 12
= (2) =2
𝑚2 +𝑛2 1
+ 2𝑥
2 2 2

𝑚3 +𝑛3 1
So, Minimum value of 𝑚2 +𝑛2 is 2.

Question 7:

𝑥+5 𝑥+4 𝑥+3 𝑥 +2 𝑥+1 𝑥

(a) Solve for x: + 2019 + 2020 + 2021 + 2022 + 2023 = - 6
2018
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 𝑐 2 + 𝑎2
(b) If = = and a - c = 18; Find the value of (a + b + c)
725 149 674

Solution:
a) Add 6 on both sides of the equation
𝑥+5 𝑥+4 𝑥+3 𝑥 +2 𝑥+1 𝑥
+ 1 + 2019 + 1 + 2020 + 1 + 2021 + 1 + 2022 + 1 + 2023 + 1 = - 6 + 6
2018
𝑥+5 2018 𝑥 +4 2019 𝑥+3 2020 𝑥+2 2021 𝑥+1 2022 𝑥 2023
(2018 + 2018) + (2019 + 2019) + (2020 + 2020 ) + (2021 + 2021 ) + (2022 + 2022 ) + (2023 + 2023 )

=0
𝑥 + 5 + 2018 𝑥 + 4 + 2019 𝑥 + 3 + 2020 𝑥 + 2 + 2021 𝑥 + 1 + 2022 𝑥 + 2023
(
2018
) +( 2019
) +( 2020
) +( 2021
) +( 2022
) +( 2023
) =0
𝑥 + 2023 𝑥 + 2023 𝑥 + 2023 𝑥 + 2023 𝑥 + 2023 𝑥 + 2023
( 2018
) +( 2019
) +( 2020
) +( 2021
) +( 2022
) +( 2023
) =0
1 1 1 1 1 1
(x + 2023) (2018) + (2019) + (2020) + (2021) + (2022) + (2023) = 0

So, (x + 2023) = 0 ………… Eq(1)

1 1 1 1 1 1
(2018) + (2019) + (2020) + (2021) + (2022) + (2023) = 0 ………… Eq(2)

But the equation 2 is not possible, so we can consider

x + 2023 = 0
x = -2023
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

b) To solve this system of equations, we can follow a more straightforward approach

by first using the information that a - c = 18 to eliminate c from the equations. Then, we
can find the values of a, b, and c.
● 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 725 k2 ………… Eq(1)
● 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 = 149k2 ………… Eq(2)
● 𝑐 2 + 𝑎2 = 674k2 ………… Eq(3)
Now by Eq(1) - Eq(3) we get,
𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 = 51k2 ………… Eq(4)
𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 = 149k2 ………… Eq(5)
Now by Eq(4) - Eq(5) we get,
2𝑏 2 = 200k2
𝑏 2 = 100 k2
b = 10k
Similarly we can get the values of a and c in terms of k.
a = 25k
c = 7k
Given a - c = 18
25k - 7k = 18
18k = 18
k=1
(a + b + c) = 25 + 10 + 7 = 42

Question 8 :

a + b + c + d = 0, then prove that

a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 = 3(abc + bcd + cda + dab)

Solution:
a+b+c+d=0
a + b = -(c + d) ………… Eq(1)
 ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA
AMTI – NMTC – 2023 November – JUNIOR – FINAL

Cube both side

(a+b)3 = [-(c+d)]3
a3 + b3 + 3ab(a+b) = -[c3 + d3 + 3cd(c + d)]
From Eq(1)
a3 + b3 + 3ab[-(c + d)] = -c3 - d3 - 3cd[-(a + b)]
a3 + b3 - 3abc - 3abd = -c3 - d3 + 3acd + 3bcd
a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 = 3abc + 3abd + 3acd + 3bcd
a3 + b3 + c3 + d3 = 3(abc + bcd + cda + dab)