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# Difference between revisions of "2016 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 23"

## Problem

A binary operation $\diamondsuit$ has the properties that $a\,\diamondsuit\, (b\,\diamondsuit \,c) = (a\,\diamondsuit \,b)\cdot c$ and that $a\,\diamondsuit \,a=1$ for all nonzero real numbers $a, b,$ and $c$. (Here $\cdot$ represents multiplication). The solution to the equation $2016 \,\diamondsuit\, (6\,\diamondsuit\, x)=100$ can be written as $\tfrac{p}{q}$, where $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime positive integers. What is $p+q?$

$\textbf{(A) }109\qquad\textbf{(B) }201\qquad\textbf{(C) }301\qquad\textbf{(D) }3049\qquad\textbf{(E) }33,601$

## Solutions

### Solution 1

We see that $a \, \diamondsuit \, a = 1$, and think of division. Testing, we see that the first condition $a \, \diamondsuit \, (b \, \diamondsuit \, c) = (a \, \diamondsuit \, b) \cdot c$ is satisfied, because $\frac{a}{\frac{b}{c}} = \frac{a}{b} \cdot c$. Therefore, division can be the operation $\diamondsuit$. Solving the equation, $$\frac{2016}{\frac{6}{x}} = \frac{2016}{6} \cdot x = 336x = 100\implies x=\frac{100}{336} = \frac{25}{84},$$ so the answer is $25 + 84 = \boxed{\textbf{(A) }109}$.

### Solution 2

We can manipulate the given identities to arrive at a conclusion about the binary operator $\diamondsuit$. Substituting $b = c$ into the first identity yields $$( a\ \diamondsuit\ b) \cdot b = a\ \diamondsuit\ (b\ \diamondsuit\ b) = a\ \diamondsuit\ 1 = a\ \diamondsuit\ ( a\ \diamondsuit\ a) = ( a\ \diamondsuit\ a) \cdot a = a.$$ Hence, $( a\ \diamondsuit\ b) \cdot b = a,$ or, dividing both sides of the equation by $b,$ $( a\ \diamondsuit\ b) = \frac{a}{b}.$

Hence, the given equation becomes $\frac{2016}{\frac{6}{x}} = 100$. Solving yields $x=\frac{100}{336} = \frac{25}{84},$ so the answer is $25 + 84 = \boxed{\textbf{(A) }109.}$

### Solution 3

One way to eliminate the $\diamondsuit$ in this equation is to make $a = b$ so that $a\,\diamondsuit\, (b\,\diamondsuit \,c) = c$. In this case, we can make $b = 2016$.

$$2016 \,\diamondsuit\, (6\,\diamondsuit\, x)=100\implies (2016\, \diamondsuit\, 6) \cdot x = 100$$

By multiplying both sides by $\frac{6}{x}$, we get:

$$(2016\, \diamondsuit\, 6) \cdot 6 = \frac{600}{x}\implies 2016 \, \diamondsuit\, (6\, \diamondsuit\, 6) = \frac{600}{x}$$

Because $6\, \diamondsuit\, 6 = 2016\, \diamondsuit\, 2016 = 1:$

$$2016 \, \diamondsuit\, (2016\, \diamondsuit\, 2016) = \frac{600}{x}\implies (2016\, \diamondsuit\, 2016) \cdot 2016 = \frac{600}{x}\implies 2016 = \frac{600}{x}$$

Therefore, $x = \frac{600}{2016} = \frac{25}{84}$, so the answer is $25 + 84 = \boxed{\textbf{(A) }109.}$

~ pi_is_3.14