Difference between revisions of "2020 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 5"

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== Solution 2==  
 
== Solution 2==  
We have the equations <math>x^2-12x+32=0</math> and x^2-12x+36=2<math>.
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We have the equations <math>x^2-12x+32=0</math> and <math>x^2-12x+36=2</math>.
  
Notice that the second is a perfect square with a double root at </math>x=6<math>, and the first has real roots. By Vieta's, the sum of the roots of the first equation is </math>12<math>. </math>12+6=\boxed{\text{(C) }18}$.
+
Notice that the second is a perfect square with a double root at <math>x=6</math>, and the first has real roots. By Vieta's, the sum of the roots of the first equation is <math>12</math>. <math>12+6=\boxed{\text{(C) }18}</math>.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 21:56, 31 January 2020

Problem 5

What is the sum of all real numbers $x$ for which $|x^2-12x+34|=2?$

$\textbf{(A) } 12 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 15 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 18 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 21 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 25$

Solution 1

Split the equation into two cases, where the value inside the absolute value is positive and nonpositive.

The first case yields $x^2-12x+34=2$, which is equal to $(x-4)(x-8)=0$. Therefore, the two values for the positive case is $4$ and $8$.

Similarly, taking the nonpositive case for the value inside the absolute value notation yields $-x^2+12x-34=2$. Factoring and simplifying gives $(x-6)^2=0$, so the only value for this case is $6$.

Summing all the values results in $4+8+6=\boxed{\text{(C) }18}$.

Solution 2

We have the equations $x^2-12x+32=0$ and $x^2-12x+36=2$.

Notice that the second is a perfect square with a double root at $x=6$, and the first has real roots. By Vieta's, the sum of the roots of the first equation is $12$. $12+6=\boxed{\text{(C) }18}$.

See Also

2020 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 4
Followed by
Problem 6
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 10 Problems and Solutions

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