Author Archives: kevin

HCS Summer School Exam 1 – 2025

Problem1: Let $x_{1}$ and $x_{2}$ be the root of $x^2-7x-9=0$. Find the value of $|x_{1}-x_{2}|$. Solution $$|x_{1}-x_{2}|=\dfrac{\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{|a|}=\dfrac{\sqrt{(-7)^2-4\cdot(-9)}}{|1|}=\sqrt{85}$$ Problem 2: Find all solutions of $\sqrt{x+10}-\dfrac{6}{\sqrt{x+10}}=5$. Solution Let $y=\sqrt{x+10}$, we have $$y-\dfrac{6}{y}=5$$ Multiplying $y$ on both side of the equation, we have … Continue reading

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Hyperbolas Covered by a Triangle

$x^2y^2=1$ forms $4$ hyperbola branches, as $y=\dfrac{1}{x}$ and $y=-\dfrac{1}{x}$ combined. What is the smallest triangle in terms of area that it intersects all $4$ branches.🔑 Solution: Obviously, to be the smallest triangle, the vertices of the triangle must be on … Continue reading

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Geometry Challenge – 2025/06/07

Two opposite edges of a unit square are folded along one of the diagonal to form a parallelogram. Then, those two opposite edges on the parallelogram are folded together to form a trapezoid. Find the area of the trapezoid.🔑 Solution: … Continue reading

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Algebra Challenge – 2025/05/31

Let $P(x)$ is a polynomial with integer coefficients so that $P(d)=\dfrac{2025}{d}$, where $d$ is a positive divisor of $2025$. Find $P(x)$.🔑 Claim: There is no $P(x)$ to satisfy $P(d)=\dfrac{2025}{d}$, where $d$ is a positive divisor of $2025$. Lemma: If $P(x)$ … Continue reading

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Combination Challenge – 2025/05/10

Nine light bulbs are equally spaced around a circle. When the power is turned on, each of the nine light bulbs turns blue or red, where the color of each bulb is determined randomly and independently of the colors of … Continue reading

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