2006 AMC 10A Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2006 AMC 10A 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 2006 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

For how many real values of xx is 120x\sqrt{120 - \sqrt{x}} an integer?

33

66

99

1010

1111

Answer: E
Concepts:radicalcounting integers in a range
Difficulty rating: 1390
Solution:

Let k=120x.k = \sqrt{120 - \sqrt{x}}. Since x0,\sqrt{x} \ge 0, we need 0k120,0 \le k \le \sqrt{120}, so k{0,1,,10},k \in \{0, 1, \ldots, 10\}, giving 1111 values.

Each kk yields x=120k2,\sqrt{x} = 120 - k^2, and since 120k2120 - k^2 is positive and strictly decreasing, the resulting values x=(120k2)2x = (120 - k^2)^2 are distinct.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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