Difference between revisions of "2021 Fall AMC 10A Problems/Problem 20"

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== Problem ==
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#REDIRECT [[2021_Fall_AMC_12A_Problems/Problem_17]]
 
 
How many ordered pairs of positive integers <math>(b,c)</math> exist where both <math>x^2+bx+c=0</math> and <math>x^2+cx+b=0</math> do not have distinct, real solutions?
 
 
 
<math>\textbf{(A) } 4 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 6 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 8 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 10 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 12 \qquad</math>
 
 
 
== Solution ==
 
A quadratic equation does not have real solutions if and only if the discriminant is nonpositive. We conclude that:
 
<ol style="margin-left: 1.5em;">
 
  <li>Since <math>x^2+bx+c=0</math> does not have real solutions, we have <math>b^2\leq 4c.</math></li><p>
 
  <li>Since <math>x^2+cx+b=0</math> does not have real solutions, we have <math>c^2\leq 4b.</math></li><p>
 
</ol>
 
Squaring the first inequality, we get <math>b^4\leq 16c^2.</math> Multiplying the second inequality by <math>16,</math> we get <math>16c^2\leq 64b.</math> Combining these results, we get <cmath>b^4\leq 16c^2\leq 64b.</cmath>
 
 
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC10 box|year=2021 Fall|ab=A|num-b=19|num-a=21}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 

Latest revision as of 02:28, 26 November 2021