2022 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 2

Problem

Consider these two operations: \begin{align*} a \, \blacklozenge \, b &= a^2 - b^2\\ a \, \bigstar \, b &= (a - b)^2 \end{align*} What is the output of $(5 \, \blacklozenge \, 3) \, \bigstar \, 6?$

$\textbf{(A) } {-}20 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 4 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 16 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 100 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 220$

Solution

We can substitute $5$, $3$, and $6$ into the functions' definitions: \begin{align*} (5 \, \blacklozenge \, 3) \, \bigstar \, 6 &= \left(5^2-3^2\right) \, \bigstar \, 6 \\ (5 \, \blacklozenge \, 3) \, \bigstar \, 6 &= \left(25-9\right) \, \bigstar \, 6 \\ &= 16 \, \bigstar \, 6 \\ &= (16-6)^2 \\ &= \boxed{\textbf{(D) } 100}. \end{align*} ~pog ~MathFun1000 (Minor Edits)

Video Solution 1 by Math-X (First understand the problem!!!)

https://youtu.be/oUEa7AjMF2A?si=JlQdlwkdbIYFNJXj&t=123

~Math-X

Video Solution 2 (HOW TO THINK CREATIVELY!!!)

https://youtu.be/ytDV0GNc9Mw

~Education, the Study of Everything

Video Solution 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij9pAy6tQSg&t=91 ~Interstigation

Video Solution 4

https://youtu.be/YYuEBGoEK1Y

~savannahsolver

Video Solution 5

https://youtu.be/Q0R6dnIO95Y?t=53

~STEMbreezy

Video Solution 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c123kPqd11I

~harungurcan

See Also

2022 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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