2012 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 13
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[hide]Problem
Two parabolas have equations and , where and are integers, each chosen independently by rolling a fair six-sided die. What is the probability that the parabolas will have a least one point in common?
Solution 1
Set the two equations equal to each other: . Now remove the x squared and get x's on one side: . Now factor : . If a cannot equal , then there is always a solution, but if , a in chance, leaving a out , always having at least one point in common. And if , then the only way for that to work, is if , a in chance, however, this can occur ways, so a in chance of this happening. So adding one sixth to , we get the simplified fraction of ; answer .
Solution 2
Proceed as above to obtain . The probability that the parabolas have at least 1 point in common is 1 minus the probability that they do not intersect. The equation has no solution if and only if and . The probability that is while the probability that is . Thus we have for the probability that the parabolas intersect.
See Also
2012 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 12 |
Followed by Problem 14 |
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions |