Art of Problem Solving

2006 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 2: Difference between revisions

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<math> \mathrm{(A) \ } -72\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } -27\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } -24\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 24\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 72 </math>
<math> \mathrm{(A) \ } -72\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } -27\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } -24\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 24\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 72 </math>


== Solution ==
== Solution 1==
Since <math> x \spadesuit y = (x+y)(x-y) </math>:  
Since <math> x \spadesuit y = (x+y)(x-y) </math>:  


<math> 3 \spadesuit (4 \spadesuit 5) = 3 \spadesuit((4+5)(4-5)) =  3 \spadesuit (-9) = (3+(-9))(3-(-9)) = -72 \Rightarrow \boxed{A}</math>
<math> 3 \spadesuit (4 \spadesuit 5) = 3 \spadesuit((4+5)(4-5)) =  3 \spadesuit (-9) = (3+(-9))(3-(-9)) = \boxed{\textbf{(A)}-72}</math>


== Solution 2 ==
From [[difference of squares]], we have <math> x \spadesuit y = (x+y)(x-y) = x^2 - y^2</math>
So:
<math>3 \spadesuit (4 \spadesuit 5) = 3 \spadesuit(4^2 - 5^2) = 3 \spadesuit (16 - 25) = 3 \spadesuit (-9)= (3^2) - (-9)^2 =  9 - 81 = \boxed{\textbf{(A)}-72}</math>
~anabel.disher
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
{{AMC10 box|year=2006|ab=B|num-b=1|num-a=3}}
{{AMC10 box|year=2006|ab=B|num-b=1|num-a=3}}

Latest revision as of 11:19, 28 September 2025

Problem

For real numbers $x$ and $y$, define $x \spadesuit y = (x+y)(x-y)$. What is $3 \spadesuit (4 \spadesuit 5)$?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } -72\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } -27\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } -24\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 24\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 72$

Solution 1

Since $x \spadesuit y = (x+y)(x-y)$:

$3 \spadesuit (4 \spadesuit 5) = 3 \spadesuit((4+5)(4-5)) =  3 \spadesuit (-9) = (3+(-9))(3-(-9)) = \boxed{\textbf{(A)}-72}$

Solution 2

From difference of squares, we have $x \spadesuit y = (x+y)(x-y) = x^2 - y^2$

So:

$3 \spadesuit (4 \spadesuit 5) = 3 \spadesuit(4^2 - 5^2) = 3 \spadesuit (16 - 25) = 3 \spadesuit (-9)= (3^2) - (-9)^2 =  9 - 81 = \boxed{\textbf{(A)}-72}$

~anabel.disher

See Also

2006 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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