Difference between revisions of "2021 JMPSC Accuracy Problems/Problem 4"

(Solution 3)
(Solution 4)
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==Solution 4==
 
==Solution 4==
The only numbers that are their own reciprocals are <math>1</math> and <math>-1</math>. Thus,
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The only numbers that are their own reciprocals are <math>1</math> and <math>-1</math>. The equation <math>\frac{x+2}{6}=1</math> has the solution <math>x=4</math>, while the equation <math>\frac{x+2}{6}=-1</math> has the solution <math>x=-8</math>. The answer is <math>4-8=\boxed{-4}</math>.

Revision as of 12:38, 11 July 2021

Problem

If $\frac{x+2}{6}$ is its own reciprocal, find the product of all possible values of $x.$

Solution

From the problem, we know that \[\frac{x+2}{6} = \frac{6}{x+2}\] \[(x+2)^2 = 6^2\] \[x^2+ 4x + 4 = 36\] \[x^2 + 4x - 32 = 0\] \[(x-8)(x+4) = 0\]

Thus, $x = 8$ or $x = -4$. Our answer is $8 \cdot(-4)=\boxed{-32}$

~Bradygho

Solution 2

We have $\frac{x+2}{6} = \frac{6}{x+2}$, so $x^2+4x-32=0$. By Vieta's our roots $a$ and $b$ amount to $\frac{-32}{1}=\boxed{-32}$

~Geometry285

Solution 3

$\frac{x+2}{6}=\frac{6}{x+2} \implies x^2+4x-32$ Therefore, the product of the root is $-32$

~kante314

Solution 4

The only numbers that are their own reciprocals are $1$ and $-1$. The equation $\frac{x+2}{6}=1$ has the solution $x=4$, while the equation $\frac{x+2}{6}=-1$ has the solution $x=-8$. The answer is $4-8=\boxed{-4}$.