# Difference between revisions of "1969 AHSME Problems/Problem 4"

## Problem

Let a binary operation $\star$ on ordered pairs of integers be defined by $(a,b)\star (c,d)=(a-c,b+d)$. Then, if $(3,3)\star (0,0)$ and $(x,y)\star (3,2)$ represent identical pairs, $x$ equals:

$\text{(A) } -3\quad \text{(B) } 0\quad \text{(C) } 2\quad \text{(D) } 3\quad \text{(E) } 6$

## Solution

Performing the operation based on the definition, $(3,3)\star(0,0) = (3,3)$ and $(x,y)\star(3,2)=(x-3,y+2)$. Because the outputs are identical pairs, they must equal each other, so $3 = x-3$. Solving for x yields $x = 6$, which is answer choice $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}}$.

## See also

 1969 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) Preceded byProblem 3 Followed byProblem 5 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 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 All AHSME Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.

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