Analyzing the Setup
The given equation is
∣2a−1∣=3[a]+2{a}. To simplify this, we utilize the fundamental identity for any real number
a:
a=[a]+{a}⟹{a}=a−[a]
Substituting this into the right-hand side of the equation, we obtain:
3[a]+2(a−[a])=3[a]+2a−2[a]=[a]+2a
The equation now simplifies to the more manageable form:
∣2a−1∣=[a]+2a
The Modulus Barrier
The expression ∣2a−1∣ changes behavior at the critical point a=1/2. We must analyze the equation by splitting it into two distinct cases based on this value.
Path 1
The Contradiction
Consider the region where
a≥1/2. In this case, the modulus opens positively:
2a−1=[a]+2a
Subtracting
2a from both sides yields:
[a]=−1
However, if a≥1/2, then the greatest integer [a] must be at least 0. Since [a]=−1 contradicts the condition [a]≥0, there are no solutions in this region.
Path 2
The Integer Constraint
Now, consider the region where
a<1/2. Here, the modulus opens negatively:
1−2a=[a]+2a⟹[a]=1−4a
Let
I=[a] and
f={a}, where
0≤f<1. Substituting
a=I+f into the equation gives:
I=1−4(I+f)
I=1−4I−4f⟹5I=1−4f
Since
0≤f<1, it follows that
0≤4f<4. Substituting
4f=1−5I into this inequality:
0≤1−5I<4
Solving for
I:
−1≤−5I<3⟹51≥I>−53
Since I must be an integer, the only possible value is I=0.
Final Calculation
Using
I=0 in the equation
4f=1−5I, we find:
4f=1⟹f=41
Thus, the solution is a=I+f=0+1/4=1/4. Since 1/4<1/2, this is a valid solution.
The set of solutions
S is
{1/4}. The final required value is:
72a∈S∑a=72×41=18
The final answer is 18.