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Find the matrix that corresponds to rotating about the origin by an angle of $120^\circ$ counter-clockwise.
Precalculus
Level 3
Step 1: The transformation that rotates about the origin by an angle of $120^\circ$ counter-clockwise takes $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}$ to $\begin{pmatrix} -1/2 \\ \sqrt{3}/2 \end{pmatrix},$ and $\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ to $\begin{pmatrix} -\sqrt{3}/2 \\ -1/2 \end{pmatrix},$ so the matrix is \[...
A point has rectangular coordinates $(-5,-7,4)$ and spherical coordinates $(\rho, \theta, \phi).$ Find the rectangular coordinates of the point with spherical coordinates $(\rho, \theta, -\phi).$
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: We have that \begin{align*} -5 &= \rho \sin \phi \cos \theta, \\ -7 &= \rho \sin \phi \sin \theta, \\ 4 &= \rho \cos \phi Step 2: \end{align*}Then \begin{align*} \rho \sin (-\phi) \cos \theta &= -\rho \sin \phi \cos \theta = 5, \\ \rho \sin (-\phi) \sin \theta &= -\rho \sin \phi \sin \theta = 7, \\ \rho \cos (-...
Compute $\sin 6^\circ \sin 42^\circ \sin 66^\circ \sin 78^\circ.$
Precalculus
Level 3
Step 1: Since $\sin 66^\circ = \cos 24^\circ$ and $\sin 78^\circ = \cos 12^\circ,$ the product is equal to \[\sin 6^\circ \cos 12^\circ \cos 24^\circ \sin 42^\circ Step 2: \]Then \[\sin 6^\circ \cos 12^\circ \cos 24^\circ \sin 42^\circ = \frac{\cos 6^\circ \sin 6^\circ \cos 12^\circ \cos 24^\circ \sin 42^\circ}{\cos 6^...
Let $H$ be the orthocenter of triangle $ABC.$ For all points $P$ on the circumcircle of triangle $ABC,$ \[PA^2 + PB^2 + PC^2 - PH^2\]is a constant. Express this constant in terms of the side lengths $a,$ $b,$ $c$ and circumradius $R$ of triangle $ABC.$
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: Let the circumcenter $O$ of triangle $ABC$ be the origin, so $\|\overrightarrow{P}\| = R Step 2: $ Also, $\overrightarrow{H} = \overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{C} Step 3: $ Then \begin{align*} PA^2 &= \|\overrightarrow{P} - \overrightarrow{A}\|^2 \\ &= (\overrightarrow{P} - \overright...
Evaluate \[\begin{vmatrix} \cos \alpha \cos \beta & \cos \alpha \sin \beta & -\sin \alpha \\ -\sin \beta & \cos \beta & 0 \\ \sin \alpha \cos \beta & \sin \alpha \sin \beta & \cos \alpha \end{vmatrix}.\]
Precalculus
Level 2
Step 1: We can expand the determinant as follows: \begin{align*} \begin{vmatrix} \cos \alpha \cos \beta & \cos \alpha \sin \beta & -\sin \alpha \\ -\sin \beta & \cos \beta & 0 \\ \sin \alpha \cos \beta & \sin \alpha \sin \beta & \cos \alpha \end{vmatrix} &= \cos \alpha \cos \beta \begin{vmatrix} \cos \beta & 0 \\ \sin ...
Let point $O$ be the origin of a three-dimensional coordinate system, and let points $A,$ $B,$ and $C$ be located on the positive $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ axes, respectively. If $OA = \sqrt[4]{75}$ and $\angle BAC = 30^\circ,$ then compute the area of triangle $ABC.$
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: Let $b = OB$ and $c = OC Step 2: $ [asy] import three; size(250); currentprojection = perspective(6,3,2); triple A, B, C, O; A = (3,0,0); B = (0,4,0); C = (0,0,2); O = (0,0,0); draw(O--(5,0,0)); draw(O--(0,5,0)); draw(O--(0,0,3)); draw(A--B--C--cycle); label("$A$", A, S); label("$B$", B, S); label("$C$", ...
If the angle between the vectors $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ is $43^\circ,$ what is the angle between the vectors $-\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$?
Precalculus
Level 1
Step 1: Since $\mathbf{a}$ and $-\mathbf{a}$ point in opposite directions, the angle between them is $180^\circ Step 2: $ Then the angle between $-\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ is $180^\circ - 43^\circ = \boxed{137^\circ}
Right triangle $ABC$ (hypotenuse $\overline{AB}$) is inscribed in equilateral triangle $PQR,$ as shown. If $PC = 3$ and $BP = CQ = 2,$ compute $AQ.$ [asy] unitsize(0.8 cm); pair A, B, C, P, Q, R; P = (0,0); Q = (5,0); R = 5*dir(60); A = Q + 8/5*dir(120); B = 2*dir(60); C = (3,0); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(P--Q--...
Precalculus
Level 3
Step 1: We see that the side length of equilateral triangle $PQR$ is 5 Step 2: Let $x = AQ Step 3: $ By the Law of Cosines on triangle $BCP,$ \[BC^2 = 2^2 + 3^2 - 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot \cos 60^\circ = 7 Step 4: \]Then by the Law of Cosines on triangle $ACQ,$ \[AC^2 = x^2 + 2^2 - 2 \cdot x \cdot 2 \cdot \cos 60^\circ...
If the three points $(1,a,b),$ $(a,2,b),$ $(a,b,3)$ are collinear, what is the value of $a + b$?
Precalculus
Level 2
Step 1: Note that the $z$-coordinate of both $(1,a,b)$ and $(a,2,b)$ is $b,$ so the whole line must lie in the plane $z = b Step 2: $ Hence, $b = 3 Step 3: $ Similarly, the $x$-coordinate of both $(a,2,b)$ and $(a,b,3)$ is $a,$ so the whole line must lie in the plane $x = a Step 4: $ Hence, $a = 1,$ so $a + b = \box...
The lengths of the sides of a triangle are consecutive integers, and the largest angle is twice the smallest angle. Find the cosine of the smallest angle.
Precalculus
Level 3
Step 1: Let the side lengths be $n,$ $n + 1,$ $n + 2 Step 2: $ Then the smallest angle $x$ is opposite the side of length $n,$ and its cosine is \[\cos x = \frac{(n + 1)^2 + (n + 2)^2 - n^2}{2(n + 1)(n + 2)} = \frac{n^2 + 6n + 5}{2(n + 1)(n + 2)} = \frac{(n + 1)(n + 5)}{2(n + 1)(n + 2)} = \frac{n + 5}{2(n + 2)} Step 3...
A projection takes $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$ to $\begin{pmatrix} \frac{3}{2} \\ -\frac{3}{2} \end{pmatrix}.$ Which vector does the projection take $\begin{pmatrix} -4 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$ to?
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: Since the projection of $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$ is $\begin{pmatrix} \frac{3}{2} \\ -\frac{3}{2} \end{pmatrix},$ the vector being projected onto is a scalar multiple of $\begin{pmatrix} \frac{3}{2} \\ -\frac{3}{2} \end{pmatrix} Step 2: $ Thus, we can assume that the vector being projected onto i...
Find the number of solutions to the equation \[\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta) = \cot (5 \pi \sin \theta)\]where $\theta \in (0, 2 \pi).$
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: From the given equation, \[\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta) = \frac{1}{\tan (5 \pi \sin \theta)},\]so $\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta) \tan (5 \pi \sin \theta) = 1 Step 2: $ Then from the angle addition formula, \begin{align*} \cot (5 \pi \cos \theta + 5 \pi \sin \theta) &= \frac{1}{\tan (5 \pi \cos \theta + 5 \pi \sin \thet...
Find all angles $\theta,$ $0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi,$ with the following property: For all real numbers $x,$ $0 \le x \le 1,$ \[x^2 \cos \theta - x(1 - x) + (1 - x)^2 \sin \theta > 0.\]
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: Taking $x = 0,$ we get $\sin \theta > 0 Step 2: $ Taking $x = 1,$ we get $\cos \theta > 0 Step 3: $ Hence, $0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2} Step 4: $ Then we can write \begin{align*} &x^2 \cos \theta - x(1 - x) + (1 - x)^2 \sin \theta \\ &= x^2 \cos \theta - 2x (1 - x) \sqrt{\cos \theta \sin \theta} + (1 - x)^2 \...
Let $\mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} 7 \\ -4 \\ -4 \end{pmatrix}$ and $\mathbf{c} = \begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}.$ Find the vector $\mathbf{b}$ such that $\mathbf{a},$ $\mathbf{b},$ and $\mathbf{c}$ are collinear, and $\mathbf{b}$ bisects the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{c}.$ [asy] unitsize(0.5...
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: The line through $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{c}$ can be parameterized by \[\begin{pmatrix} 7 - 9t \\ -4 + 3t \\ -4 + 6t \end{pmatrix} Step 2: \]Then $\mathbf{b}$ is of this form Step 3: Furthermore, the angle between $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ is equal to the angle between $\mathbf{b}$ and $\mathbf{c} Step 4: ...
There is an angle $\theta$ in the range $0^\circ < \theta < 45^\circ$ which satisfies \[\tan \theta + \tan 2 \theta + \tan 3 \theta = 0.\]Calculate $\tan \theta$ for this angle.
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: Let $t = \tan \theta Step 2: $ Then $\tan 2 \theta = \frac{2t}{1 - t^2}$ and $\tan 3 \theta = \frac{3t - t^3}{1 - 3t^2},$ so \[t + \frac{2t}{1 - t^2} + \frac{3t - t^3}{1 - 3t^2} = 0 Step 3: \]This simplifies to $4t^5 - 14t^3 + 6t = 0 Step 4: $ This factors as $2t(2t^2 - 1)(t^2 - 3) = 0 Step 5: $ Since $0^\ci...
Compute \[ \begin{vmatrix} \cos 1 & \cos 2 & \cos 3 \\ \cos 4 & \cos 5 & \cos 6 \\ \cos 7 & \cos 8 & \cos 9 \end{vmatrix} .\]All the angles are in radians.
Precalculus
Level 2
Step 1: The entries in each row are $\cos n,$ $\cos (n + 1),$ and $\cos (n + 2)$ for some integer $n Step 2: $ From the angle addition formula, \[\cos n + \cos (n + 2) = 2 \cos (n + 1) \cos 1 Step 3: \]Then \[\cos (n + 2) = 2 \cos 1 \cos (n + 1) - \cos n Step 4: \]Thus, we can obtain the third column of the matrix by ...
In triangle $ABC,$ $\sin A = \frac{3}{5}$ and $\cos B = \frac{5}{13}.$ Find $\cos C.$
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: We have that \[\cos^2 A = 1 - \sin^2 A = \frac{16}{25},\]so $\cos A = \pm \frac{4}{5} Step 2: $ Also, \[\sin^2 B = 1 - \cos^2 B = \frac{144}{169} Step 3: \]Since $\sin B$ is positive, $\sin B = \frac{12}{13} Step 4: $ Then \begin{align*} \sin C &= \sin (180^\circ - A - B) \\ &= \sin (A + B) \\ &= \sin A \cos ...
Line segment $\overline{AB}$ is extended past $B$ to $P$ such that $AP:PB = 10:3.$ Then \[\overrightarrow{P} = t \overrightarrow{A} + u \overrightarrow{B}\]for some constants $t$ and $u.$ Enter the ordered pair $(t,u).$ [asy] unitsize(1 cm); pair A, B, P; A = (0,0); B = (5,1); P = interp(A,B,10/7); draw(A--P); d...
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: Since $AP:PB = 10:3,$ we can write \[\frac{\overrightarrow{P} - \overrightarrow{A}}{10} = \frac{\overrightarrow{P} - \overrightarrow{B}}{7} Step 2: \]Isolating $\overrightarrow{P},$ we find \[\overrightarrow{P} = -\frac{3}{7} \overrightarrow{A} + \frac{10}{7} \overrightarrow{B} Step 3: \]Thus, $(t,u) = \boxed{\...
Let $\mathbf{A}$ and $\mathbf{B}$ be matrices such that \[\mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B} = \mathbf{A} \mathbf{B}.\]If $\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} = \begin{pmatrix} 20/3 & 4/3 \\ -8/3 & 8/3 \end{pmatrix},$ find $\mathbf{B} \mathbf{A}.$
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: From $\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} = \mathbf{A} + \mathbf{B},$ \[\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} - \mathbf{A} - \mathbf{B} = \mathbf{0} Step 2: \]Then $\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B} - \mathbf{A} - \mathbf{B} + \mathbf{I} = \mathbf{I} Step 3: $ In the style of Simon's Favorite Factoring Trick, we can write this as \[(\mathbf{A} - \math...
Compute $\tan \left (\operatorname{arccot} \frac{4}{7} \right).$
Precalculus
Level 1
Step 1: Consider a right triangle where the adjacent side is 4 and the opposite side is 7 Step 2: [asy] unitsize (0.5 cm); draw((0,0)--(4,0)--(4,7)--cycle); label("$4$", (2,0), S); label("$7$", (4,7/2), E); label("$\theta$", (0.8,0.5)); [/asy] Then $\cot \theta = \frac{4}{7},$ so $\theta = \operatorname{arccot} \fra...
The area of the parallelogram generated by the vectors $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ is 8. Find the area of the parallelogram generated by the vectors $2 \mathbf{a} + 3 \mathbf{b}$ and $\mathbf{a} - 5 \mathbf{b}.$
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: Since the area of the parallelogram generated by the vectors $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ is 8, \[\|\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b}\| = 8 Step 2: \]Then the area of the parallelogram generated by the vectors $2 \mathbf{a} + 3 \mathbf{b}$ and $\mathbf{a} - 5 \mathbf{b}$ is \[\|(2 \mathbf{a} + 3 \mathbf{b}) \times ...
Find the distance from the point $(1,2,3)$ to the line described by \[\begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 7 \\ 7 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 2 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}.\]
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: A point on the line is given by \[\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 7 \\ 7 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 2 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 3t + 6 \\ 2t + 7 \\ -2t + 7 \end{pmatrix} Step 2: \][asy] unitsize (0.6 cm); pair A, B, C, D, E, F, H; A = (2,5); B = (0,0); ...
The matrix for projecting onto a certain line $\ell,$ which passes through the origin, is given by \[\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5} \begin{pmatrix} \frac{2}{15} & -\frac{1}{15} & -\frac{1}{3} \\ -\frac{1}{15} & \frac{1}{30} & \frac{1}{6} \\ -\frac{1}{3} & \frac{1}{6} & \frac{5}{6} \end{pmatrix} \renewcommand{\arrays...
Precalculus
Level 5
Step 1: Let $\mathbf{P}$ denote the given matrix, so $\mathbf{P} \mathbf{v}$ is the projection of $\mathbf{v}$ onto $\ell Step 2: $ In particular, $\mathbf{P} \mathbf{v}$ lies on $\ell$ for any vector $\mathbf{v} Step 3: $ So, we can take $\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{i} Step 4: $ Then \[\mathbf{P} \mathbf{i} = \begin{pmatr...
What is the smallest positive integer $n$ such that all the roots of $z^4 - z^2 + 1 = 0$ are $n^{\text{th}}$ roots of unity?
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: Multiplying the equation $z^4 - z^2 + 1 = 0$ by $z^2 + 1$, we get $z^6 + 1 = 0$ Step 2: Multiplying this equation by $z^6 - 1 = 0$, we get $z^{12} - 1 = 0$ Step 3: Therefore, every root of $z^4 - z^2 + 1 = 0$ is a $12^{\text{th}}$ root of unity Step 4: We can factor $z^{12} - 1 = 0$ as \[(z^6 - 1)(z^6 + 1) = (z...
Find the volume of the region in space defined by \[|x + y + z| + |x + y - z| \le 8\]and $x,$ $y,$ $z \ge 0.$
Precalculus
Level 4
Step 1: Let $a$ and $b$ be real numbers Step 2: If $a \ge b,$ then \[|a + b| + |a - b| = (a + b) + (a - b) = 2a Step 3: \]If $a \le b,$ then \[|a + b| + |a - b| = (a + b) + (b - a) = 2b Step 4: \]In either case, $|a + b| + |a - b| = 2 \max\{a,b\} Step 5: $ Thus, the condition $|x + y + z| + |x + y - z| \le 8$ is equiv...