1955 AHSME Problems/Problem 40

The fractions $\frac{ax+b}{cx+d}$ and $\frac{b}{d}$ are unequal if:

$\textbf{(A)}\ a=c=1, x\neq 0\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ a=b=0\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ a=c=0\\ \textbf{(D)}\ x=0\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ ad=bc$

Solution

We can implement each of these options on the existing two fractions: $\textbf{(A)}$: $\frac{x+b}{x+d}$ vs $\frac{b}{d}$. Since $x \neq 0$, we can see that any remaining value of $x$ will make the two unequal. The answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(A)}}$

$\textbf{(B)}$: $\frac{0}{d}$ vs $\frac{0}{d}$ Both fractions will equal zero $(d \neq 0)$, so they are equivalent.

$\textbf{(C)}$: $\frac{b}{d}$ vs $\frac{b}{d}$ The two fractions are equal.

$\textbf{(D)}$: $\frac{b}{d}$ vs $\frac{b}{d}$ The two fractions are equal.

$\textbf{(E)}$: This value will vary, but it doesn't take long to figure out a counterexample.

See Also

Go back to the rest of the1955 AHSME Problems

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png