MHB What is the Greatest Integer When Evaluating a Complex Fraction?

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The discussion centers on evaluating the expression $$\left\lfloor{\frac{2014^3}{(2015)(2016)}+\frac{2016^3}{2014(2015)}}\right\rfloor$$. Participants analyze the complex fraction to determine its greatest integer value. The calculations involve simplifying the terms and applying the floor function to find the final result. The conversation emphasizes the shared approach among contributors in solving the problem. Ultimately, the focus remains on accurately evaluating the mathematical expression.
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Evaluate $$\left\lfloor{\frac{2014^3}{(2015)(2016)}+\frac{2016^3}{2014(2015)}}\right\rfloor$$.
 
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anemone said:
Evaluate $$\left\lfloor{\frac{2014^3}{(2015)(2016)}+\frac{2016^3}{2014(2015)}}\right\rfloor$$.

let x = 2015
so we get
$\left\lfloor\frac{(x-1)^3}{x(x+1)} + \frac{(x+1)^3}{(x-1)x}\right\rfloor$
$=\left\lfloor\frac{(x-1)^4+ (x+1)^4}{x(x+1)(x-1)}\right\rfloor$
$=\left\lfloor\frac{2(x^4+6x^2+ 2)}{x(x+1)(x-1)}\right\rfloor$
$=\left\lfloor\frac{2((x^2-1)(x^2+7)+9)}{x(x^2-1)}\right\rfloor$
$=\left\lfloor(\frac{2(x^2+7)}{x}+ \frac{18}{x(x^2-1)})\right\rfloor$
$=\left\lfloor(2x + \frac{14}{x} + \frac{18}{x(x^2-1)})\right\rfloor$
now as x = 2015 and so $\frac{14}{x} < \frac{1}{2}$ and $\frac{18}{x(x^2-1)} < \frac{1}{2}$ so
ans is 2x or 4030
 
Thanks for participating, kaliprasad! Just so you know that my approach is exactly the same as yours. (Smile)
 
I have been insisting to my statistics students that for probabilities, the rule is the number of significant figures is the number of digits past the leading zeros or leading nines. For example to give 4 significant figures for a probability: 0.000001234 and 0.99999991234 are the correct number of decimal places. That way the complementary probability can also be given to the same significant figures ( 0.999998766 and 0.00000008766 respectively). More generally if you have a value that...

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