1975 AMC 12 Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 1975 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 1975 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

1.

The value of 12−12−12−12 \frac{1}{2-\dfrac{1}{2-\dfrac{1}{2-\frac12}}} is
34\frac34
45\frac45
56\frac56
67\frac67
65\frac65
Answer: B
Concepts:fractionorder of operations
Small hint:
Evaluate the nested denominator from the inside outward
Big hint:
The three successive inner values are 32,43,\frac32,\frac43, and 54\frac54
Solution:
Working outward, 2−12=32,2−132=43,2−143=54. \begin{aligned} 2-\frac12&=\frac32,\\ 2-\frac1{\frac{3}{2}}&=\frac43,\\ 2-\frac1{\frac{4}{3}}&=\frac54. \end{aligned} The given value is therefore 154=45.\frac{1}{\frac{5}{4}}=\frac{4}{5}.
Therefore, the correct answer is B.
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