High School Can You Solve This Math Challenge Without a Calculator?

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The forum discussion centers on solving the mathematical expression $\left\lfloor \dfrac{2005^3}{2003\cdot 2004}-\dfrac{2003^3}{2004\cdot 2005} \right\rfloor$ without a calculator. Participants successfully computed the value, with notable contributions from members kaliprasad and mente oscura, who provided detailed solutions. The final result of the computation is confirmed to be an integer, showcasing the effectiveness of algebraic manipulation in solving complex expressions.

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Compute the value of $\left\lfloor \dfrac{2005^3}{2003\cdot 2004}-\dfrac{2003^3}{2004\cdot 2005} \right\rfloor$ without the help of a calculator where $\lfloor x \rfloor$ denotes the greatest integer less than $x$.

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Congratulations to the following members for their correct solutions!:)

1. kaliprasad
2. MarkFL
3. mente oscura
4. lfdahl

Solution from kaliprasad:
To keep the arithmetic simple put

2004 = x to get

$\frac{(x+1)^3}{x(x-1)} - \frac{(x-1)^3}{x(x+1)}$
= $\frac{(x+1)^4 – (x-1)^4}{x(x+1)(x-1)}$
= $\frac{2 (4x^3 + 4x)}{(x(x+1)(x-1)}$
=$\frac{8x(x^2+1)}{x(x^2-1)}$
= $\frac{8(x^2 + 1)}{(x^2-1)}$
= $8 + \frac{16}{x^2-1}$

Now the beauty is for any x $\ge$ 5 the 2nd term is between 0 and one so integral part is 8

Hence ans is 8.

Alternate solution from mente oscura:
\dfrac{2005^3}{2003\cdot 2004}-\dfrac{2003^3}{2004\cdot 2005}

= \dfrac{1}{2003\cdot 2004\cdot 2005} \ (2005^4-2003^4)

= \dfrac{1}{2003\cdot 2004\cdot 2005} \ (2005^2+2003^2) \ (2005+2003) \ (2005-2003)

= \dfrac{1}{2003\cdot 2005} \ (2005^2+2003^2) \cdot 2\cdot 2

= 4\cdot (\dfrac{2005}{2003}+\dfrac{2003}{2005})

= 4\cdot (1+\dfrac{2}{2003}+1-\dfrac{2}{2005})=4\cdot (2+\dfrac{2}{2003}-\dfrac{2}{2005})

Such that:

0< \dfrac{2}{2003}-\dfrac{2}{2005} < \dfrac{1}{4}

Therefore:

\left\lfloor \dfrac{2005^3}{2003\cdot 2004}-\dfrac{2003^3}{2004\cdot 2005} \right\rfloor= 8
 

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