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Latest revision as of 12:29, 17 December 2024

Problem

The parabola $y=ax^2+bx+c$ has vertex $(p,p)$ and $y$-intercept $(0,-p)$, where $p\ne 0$. What is $b$?

$\text {(A) } -p \qquad \text {(B) } 0 \qquad \text {(C) } 2 \qquad \text {(D) } 4 \qquad \text {(E) } p$

Solution 1

Substituting $(0,-p)$, we find that $y = -p = a(0)^2 + b(0) + c = c$, so our parabola is $y = ax^2 + bx - p$.

The x-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola is given by $x = p = \frac{-b}{2a} \Longleftrightarrow a = \frac{-b}{2p}$. Additionally, substituting $(p,p)$, we find that $y = p = a(p)^2 + b(p) - p \Longleftrightarrow ap^2 + (b-2)p = \left(\frac{-b}{2p}\right)p^2 + (b-2)p = p\left(\frac b2-2\right) = 0$. Since it is given that $p \neq 0$, then $\frac{b}{2} = 2 \Longrightarrow b = 4\ \mathrm{(D)}$.

Solution 2

A parabola with the given equation and with vertex $(p,p)$ must have equation $y=a(x-p)^2+p$. Because the $y$-intercept is $(0,-p)$ and $p\ne 0$, it follows that $a=-2/p$. Thus\[y=-\frac{2}{p}(x^2-2px+p^2)+p=-\frac{2}{p}x^2+4x-p,\] so $\boxed{b=4}$.

See also

2006 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 11 		Followed by
Problem 13
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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