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Difference between revisions of "1977 AHSME Problems/Problem 21"

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== Problem 21 ==
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== Problem==
  
 
For how many values of the coefficient a do the equations <cmath>x2+ax+1=0x2−x−a=0</cmath> have a common real solution?
 
For how many values of the coefficient a do the equations <cmath>x2+ax+1=0x2−x−a=0</cmath> have a common real solution?

Revision as of 16:40, 17 December 2024

Problem

For how many values of the coefficient a do the equations \begin{align*}x^2+ax+1=0 \\ x^2-x-a=0\end{align*} have a common real solution?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 0 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 1 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 3 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \infty$

Solution

Subtracting the equations, we get $ax+x+1+a=0$, or $(x+1)(a+1)=0$, so $x=-1$ or $a=-1$. If $x=-1$, then $a=2$, which satisfies the condition. If $a=-1$, then $x$ is nonreal. This means that $a=-1$ is the only number that works, so our answer is $(B)$.

~alexanderruan

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