Browse · MATH
Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
We define a function such that , and if there exists an integer such that , then is defined and
if is odd
if is even.
What is the smallest possible number of integers in the domain of ?
if is odd
if is even.
What is the smallest possible number of integers in the domain of ?
Solution
Since , we know that is defined, and it must equal . Similarly, we know that is defined, and it must equal . Continuing on this way,
We are now in a cycle , , , , and so on. Thus there are no more values which need to be defined, as there is no currently defined for which is a not already defined. Thus the minimum number of integers we can define is the number we have already defined, which is .
We are now in a cycle , , , , and so on. Thus there are no more values which need to be defined, as there is no currently defined for which is a not already defined. Thus the minimum number of integers we can define is the number we have already defined, which is .
Final answer
15