1968 AMC 12 Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 1968 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 1968 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

9.

The sum of the real values of xx satisfying ∣x+2∣=2∣x−2∣\lvert x+2\rvert=2\lvert x-2\rvert is:
13\dfrac13
23\dfrac23
66
6136\dfrac13
6236\dfrac23
Answer: E
Concepts:absolute valuequadraticVieta’s Formulas
Small hint:
Square both sides; both sides are nonnegative
Big hint:
Use the sum of the roots of the resulting quadratic
Solution:
Squaring gives (x+2)2=4(x−2)2,(x+2)^2=4(x-2)^2, or 3x2−20x+12=0.3x^2-20x+12=0. Both roots satisfy the original absolute-value equation, and their sum is 203=623.\frac{20}{3}=6\frac23.
Therefore, the correct answer is E.
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