1970 AMC 12 Problem 3

Attempt Problem 3 of the 1970 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 1970 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

3.

If x=1+2px=1+2^p and y=1+2−p,y=1+2^{-p}, then yy in terms of xx is:
x+1x−1\dfrac{x+1}{x-1}
x+2x−1\dfrac{x+2}{x-1}
xx−1\dfrac{x}{x-1}
2−x2-x
x−1x\dfrac{x-1}{x}
Answer: C
Concepts:exponentsubstitutionrational equation
Small hint:
Solve the first equation for 2p2^p
Big hint:
Use 2−p=12p2^{-p}=\frac{1}{2^p} and simplify 1+1x−11+\frac{1}{x-1}
Solution:
From x=1+2px=1+2^p we get 2p=x−1,2^p=x-1, so y=1+2−p=1+1x−1=xx−1. \begin{aligned} y&=1+2^{-p}\\ &=1+\frac1{x-1}=\frac{x}{x-1}. \end{aligned}
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
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