1951 AMC 12 Problem 26

Attempt Problem 26 of the 1951 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1951 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

26.

In the equation x(x−1)−(m+1)(x−1)(m−1)=xm, \frac{x(x-1)-(m+1)}{(x-1)(m-1)}=\frac{x}{m}, the roots are equal when:
m=1m=1
m=12m=\dfrac12
m=0m=0
m=−1m=-1
m=−12m=-\dfrac12
Answer: E
Concepts:quadraticrational equation
Small hint:
Clear denominators and collect the resulting quadratic in xx
Big hint:
The equation reduces to x2−x−m(m+1)=0x^2-x-m(m+1)=0; equal roots require zero discriminant
Solution:
Clearing denominators and simplifying yields x2−x−m(m+1)=0. x^2-x-m(m+1)=0. Equal roots require 1+4m(m+1)=(2m+1)2=0, \begin{aligned} 1+4m(m+1) &=(2m+1)^2\\ &=0, \end{aligned} hence m=−12.m=-\frac12. This value does not violate the original denominators.
Thus, the correct answer is E.
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