Thread: Problem 40
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Old November 14th, 2007, 08:28 PM
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Okay, in that case I have a start, maybe someone else can pick up what I don't know.

I would say we can find every instance by the following method:
A, B = random from the set {1,2,3,...,2007}
c,d = real numbers (this includes irrational and negative)

so:
cd=A \Longrightarrow c=\frac{A}{d}

c+d=B

Substitute:
\frac{A}{d}+d=B

Multiply by d:
A+d^{2}=dB

Subtract dB
d^{2}-dB+A=0

By Quadratic Formula:
d=\frac{B\pm\sqrt{B^{2}-4A}}{2}

-----

Therefore there will be a real solution so long as B^{2} -4A \geq 0

So I don't know how to find the probability that this will be the case, but I expect if you can find the probability of this, happening, then you can subtract that from100%, and that will be your answer.
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