Simpler ways of finding solutions to $\int_0^x \lfloor{x\rfloor}^2 dx=2(x-1)$

algebra-precalculusalternative-proofcalculusceiling-and-floor-functionsdefinite integrals

So I was solving the following question:

Find the number of solutions to $$\int_0^x \lfloor{x\rfloor}^2 dx=2(x-1)$$
for $x<0$.$$$$
Options: $2,3,4,5$

And I managed to show that there's no solution whenever $x$ is an integer, and obtained the following equation for whenever $x$ is not an integer:

$$\lfloor{x\rfloor}^2(\lfloor{x\rfloor}+1-x)-\frac{\lfloor{x\rfloor}(\lfloor{x\rfloor}+1)(2\lfloor{x\rfloor}+1)}{6}=2(1-x)$$

And I managed to solve it, but the method is faaaaar too lengthy(I'd made a silly error before).

Let $n$ denote $\lfloor{x\rfloor}$ and $f$ denote $x-\lfloor{x\rfloor}$.

So, the above equation transforms to:
$$f=\frac{-2n^3+3n^2+11n-12}{6(n^2-2)}$$

With some calculus, I was able to show $n=-3$ is the only possible (negative) value such that $0\leq f<1$, giving me the only answer $x=-3+\frac 67=-\frac{15}{7}$

Other methods to solve the original question are welcome.

Edit: The question was on a pen-paper test, so everything has to be done by hand.


As the answers show, it either the options or the question that's erroneous.

Best Answer

The problem restricts $x < 0$.

The left side $f(x) = \int \dots$ is just a continuous set of line segments of increasing slope (as x goes more negative), and the right hand side $g(x) = 2(x-1)$ is just a straight line. Since $f(0) < g(0)$, but eventually $f > g$, there is at least 1 intersection. Because $g$ is a straight line and $f$ never curves up, there is at most 1 intersection. So the answer is 1.

The graph here makes it more clear but isn't really necessary for the problem:

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/aprbenpnvd

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