1983 AMC 12 Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 1983 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 1983 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 x≠0,x\ne0, x2=y2\frac{x}{2}=y^2 and x4=4y,\frac{x}{4}=4y, then xx equals
88
1616
3232
6464
128128
Answer: E
Concepts:system of equationssubstitutionzero product property
Small hint:
Use x4=4y\frac{x}{4}=4y to express xx in terms of yy
Big hint:
After substitution, discard the solution that makes x=0x=0
Solution:
The second equation gives x=16y.x=16y. Substituting into the first gives 8y=y2,8y=y^2, so y(y−8)=0.y(y-8)=0. The condition x≠0x\ne0 rules out y=0,y=0, leaving y=8y=8 and x=128.x=128.
Therefore, the correct answer is E.
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