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Printsmc
algebra senior
Problem
Let , and for , let . For how many values of is ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
1. Draw the graph of by dividing the domain into three parts. 2. Apply the recursive rule a few times to find the pattern. Note: is used to enlarge the difference, but the reasoning is the same. 3. Extrapolate to . Notice that the summits start away from and get closer each iteration, so they reach exactly at . reaches at , then zigzags between and , hitting at every even , before leaving at . This means that at all even where . This is a -integer odd-size range with even numbers at the endpoints, so just over half of the integers are even, or . (Revised by Flamedragon & Jason,C & emerald_block)
Final answer
C