Home Problems Maml 2003

Problem involving star operations and matrices


	* Operations and Matrices "" operates as follows: ab = a + ^{(b² - ab)}/_(a-b) "#" operates as follows: n# = n([n-1]([n-2]...(3(21)))) Given that what are the value(s) of x and y? Problem Moderated by: Sasha


	Problem Solution ^{(b² - ab)}/_(a-b) = -b, so a*b = a-b. This is good to know. A pattern quickly emerges when you apply the star operation from the inside out. 2 - 1 = 1 3 - 1 = 2 4 - 2 = 2 5 - 2 = 3 6 - 3 = 3 ... So, 6# = 3 7# = 4 13# = 7 and -15# = -8 That is, Therefore, x = 1 and y = 3/4 2003 Archive