1957 AMC 12 Problem 22

Attempt Problem 22 of the 1957 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 1957 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

22.

If x−1−x+1+1=0,\sqrt{x-1}-\sqrt{x+1}+1=0, then 4x4x equals:
55
4−14\sqrt{-1}
00
1141\frac14
no real value
Answer: A
Concepts:radicalrational equation
Small hint:
Rearrange to x+1=x−1+1\sqrt{x+1}=\sqrt{x-1}+1
Big hint:
After squaring once, isolate x−1\sqrt{x-1}
Solution:
Rearrange and square: x+1=x−1+1,x+1=x−1+2x−1+1. \begin{aligned} \sqrt{x+1}&=\sqrt{x-1}+1,\\ x+1&=x-1+2\sqrt{x-1}+1. \end{aligned} Thus 2x−1=1,2\sqrt{x-1}=1, so x−1=14x-1=\frac{1}{4} and x=54.x=\frac{5}{4}. This value satisfies the original equation. Therefore 4x=5.4x=5.
Thus, the correct answer is A.
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