2016 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 10

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Problem

Suppose that $a * b$ means $3a-b.$ What is the value of $x$ if \[2 * (5 * x)=1\] $\textbf{(A) }\frac{1}{10} \qquad\textbf{(B) }2\qquad\textbf{(C) }\frac{10}{3} \qquad\textbf{(D) }10\qquad \textbf{(E) }14$

Solutions

Solution 1

Let us plug in $(5 * x)=1$ into $3a-b$. Thus it would be $3(5)-x$. Now we have $2*(15-x)=1$. Plugging $2*(15-x)$ into $3a-b$, we have $6-15+x=1$. Solving for $x$ we have \[-9+x=1\]\[x=\boxed{\textbf{(D)}   \,        10}\]

Solution 2

Let us set a variable $y$ equal to $5 * x$. Solving for y in the equation $3(2)-y=1$, we see that y is equal to five. By substitution, we see that $5 * x$ = 5. Solving for x in the equation $5(3)-x = 5$ we get \[x=\boxed{\textbf{(D)}   \,        10}\]

2016 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 9
Followed by
Problem 11
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