2005 AMC 10B Problem 4

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 4 of the 2005 AMC 10B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2005 AMC 10B 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:custom operationradical

Difficulty rating: 1020

4.

For real numbers aa and b,b, define ab=a2+b2.a \diamond b = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}. What is the value of (512)((12)(5))?(5 \diamond 12) \diamond ((-12) \diamond (-5))?

00

172\dfrac{17}{2}

1313

13213\sqrt{2}

2626

Solution:

Each inner expression evaluates to 512=52+122=13 5 \diamond 12 = \sqrt{5^2 + 12^2} = 13 and similarly (12)(5)=144+25=13.(-12) \diamond (-5) = \sqrt{144 + 25} = 13.

Then 1313=132+132=132. 13 \diamond 13 = \sqrt{13^2 + 13^2} = 13\sqrt{2}.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

Problem 4 in Other Years