PROBLEM OF THE MONTH

May 2006





Congratulations to this month winners Say Cheong, Bryant Wong and Said Amghibech!
Solution by Say Cheong: [pdf]


Solve the following equation:
cosnx – sinnx = 1,
where n is a positive integer and x is a real number.

Remark: Solving this equation means finding all values of n and x, for which the equality holds, and proving that there are no other such values.

This month's prize will be awarded to the best explained, correct solution.



Submit your solution to the Mathematics Undergraduate Office (Math P-142) or electronically to problem@math.sunysb.edu by the due date. Acceptable electronic formats are: PDF, Postscript, DVI, (La)TeX, or just plain text. Please include your name and phone number, or preferably your email address.

Closing date: May 25th at 12 pm.