2000 AMC 10 Problem 24

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 24 of the 2000 AMC 10, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2000 AMC 10 solutions, or check the answer key.

All of the real AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME problems in our complete solution collection are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Concepts:functionsubstitutionVieta’s Formulas

Difficulty rating: 1690

24.

Let ff be a function for which f(x3)=x2+x+1.f\left(\dfrac{x}{3}\right) = x^2 + x + 1. Find the sum of all values of zz for which f(3z)=7.f(3z) = 7.

13-\dfrac13

19-\dfrac19

00

59\dfrac59

53\dfrac53

Solution:

To evaluate f(3z),f(3z), set x3=3z,\dfrac{x}{3} = 3z, so x=9z.x = 9z. Then f(3z)=(9z)2+9z+1=81z2+9z+1.f(3z) = (9z)^2 + 9z + 1 = 81z^2 + 9z + 1.

Setting this equal to 77 gives 81z2+9z6=0.81z^2 + 9z - 6 = 0.

By the sum-of-roots formula, the sum of the values of zz is 981=19.-\dfrac{9}{81} = -\dfrac19.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

Problem 24 in Other Years