Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

2021 WSMO Speed Round/Problem 1

Revision as of 17:34, 22 December 2021 by Pinkpig (talk | contribs) (→‎Solution (bash))

Problem

Let $f^1(x)=(x-1)^2$, and let $f^n(x)=f^1(f^{n-1}(x))$. Find the value of $|f^7(2)|$.

Solution (bash)

Note that \[|f^7(2)|=f(f(f(f(f(f(f(2)))))))=f(f(f(f(f(f((2-1)^2))))))=f(f(f(f(f(f(1))))))\] \[=f(f(f(f(f((1-1)^2)))))=f(f(f(f(f(0)))))=f(f(f(f((0-1)^2))))=f(f(f(f(1))))=f(f(f((1-1)^2)))\] \[=f(f(f(0)))=f(f((0-1)^2))=f(f(1))=f((1-1)^2)=f(0)=(0-1)^2=\boxed{1}.\] 

- pinkpig
Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2021_WSMO_Speed_Round/Problem_1&oldid=168262"