Inequalities with Exponential Functions

CAT 2023 Slot 3 · QA · Hard · Algebra

Let nn be any natural number such that 5n1<3n+15^{n-1} < 3^{n+1}. Then, the least integer value of mm that satisfies 3n+1<2n+m3^{n+1} < 2^{n+m} for each such nn, is

Answer

5

Explanation

First, find the range of natural numbers nn satisfying 5n1<3n+15^{n-1} < 3^{n+1}: 5n5<33n    (53)n<15\frac{5^n}{5} < 3 \cdot 3^n \implies \left(\frac{5}{3}\right)^n < 15

Testing natural numbers nn:

  • n=1:5/3<15n=1: 5/3 < 15 (True)
  • n=2:25/92.78<15n=2: 25/9 \approx 2.78 < 15 (True)
  • n=3:125/274.63<15n=3: 125/27 \approx 4.63 < 15 (True)
  • n=4:625/817.72<15n=4: 625/81 \approx 7.72 < 15 (True)
  • n=5:3125/24312.86<15n=5: 3125/243 \approx 12.86 < 15 (True)
  • n=6:15625/72921.43<15n=6: 15625/729 \approx 21.43 < 15 (False)

So n{1,2,3,4,5}n \in \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5\}.

We need 3n+1<2n+m3^{n+1} < 2^{n+m} to hold for all n{1,2,3,4,5}n \in \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5\}. Since 3n+1/2n3^{n+1} / 2^n increases as nn increases, the strongest condition occurs at n=5n = 5: 35+1<25+m    36<25+m    729<25+m3^{5+1} < 2^{5+m} \implies 3^6 < 2^{5+m} \implies 729 < 2^{5+m}

Since 29=5122^9 = 512 and 210=10242^{10} = 1024, we need: 5+m10    m55 + m \ge 10 \implies m \ge 5

Thus, the least integer value of mm is 55.

Practise this under exam conditions

Sign in to solve it with a live timer, the on-screen CAT calculator, and streak and accuracy tracking across every question you attempt.

Solve in the workspace