2006 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 11

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Problem

Which of the following describes the graph of the equation $(x+y)^2=x^2+y^2$?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } \textrm{the\,empty\,set}\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } \textrm{one\,point}\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } \textrm{two\,lines} \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } \textrm{a\,circle} \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } \textrm{the\,entire\,plane}$

Solution

Expanding the left side, we have

$x^2+2xy+y^2=x^2+y^2\Longrightarrow 2xy=0\Longrightarrow xy=0\Longrightarrow x = 0 \textrm{or} y = 0$

Thus there are two lines described in this graph, the horizontal line $y = 0$ and the vertical line $x=0$. Thus, our answer is $\mathrm{(C) \ }$.

See also

2006 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 10
Followed by
Problem 12
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions