1966 AMC 12 Problem 20

Attempt Problem 20 of the 1966 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 1966 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

20.

If the proposition “a=0a=0” is true, the negation of the proposition “For real values of aa and b,b, if a=0,a=0, then ab=0ab=0” is:
If a≠0,a\ne0, then ab≠0ab\ne0
If a≠0,a\ne0, then ab=0ab=0
If a=0,a=0, then ab≠0ab\ne0
If ab≠0,ab\ne0, then a≠0a\ne0
If ab=0,ab=0, then a≠0a\ne0
Answer: C
Concepts:logical deduction
Small hint:
The negation of a true conclusion is its opposite statement
Big hint:
Under the stated assumption a=0,a=0, negate the conclusion ab=0ab=0
Solution:
The stated premise a=0a=0 is assumed true. Negating the implication therefore negates its conclusion: ab=0ab=0 becomes ab≠0.ab\ne0. Thus the required statement is “If a=0,a=0, then ab≠0.ab\ne0.”
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.