1978 AMC 12 Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 1978 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 1978 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

1.

If 1−4x+4x2=0,1-\frac4x+\frac4{x^2}=0, then 2x\frac2x equals
−1-1
11
22
−1-1 or 22
−1-1 or −2-2
Answer: B
Concepts:quadraticsubstitutioncompleting the square
Small hint:
Let u=2xu=\frac2x
Big hint:
The resulting quadratic is a perfect square
Solution:
With u=2x,u=\frac{2}{x}, the equation becomes 1−2u+u2=0,1-2u+u^2=0, or (u−1)2=0.(u-1)^2=0. Therefore 2x=u=1.\frac{2}{x}=u=1.
Therefore, the correct answer is B.
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