2007 AMC 10A Problem 2

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 2 of the 2007 AMC 10A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2007 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:custom operationsubstitution

Difficulty rating: 870

2.

Define a@b=abb2a@b = ab - b^2 and a#b=a+bab2.a\#b = a + b - ab^2. What is 6@26#2?\dfrac{6@2}{6\#2}?

12-\dfrac{1}{2}

14-\dfrac{1}{4}

18\dfrac{1}{8}

14\dfrac{1}{4}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

Solution:

The numerator is 6@2=6222=124=8.6@2 = 6 \cdot 2 - 2^2 = 12 - 4 = 8.

The denominator is 6#2=6+2622=824=16.6\#2 = 6 + 2 - 6 \cdot 2^2 = 8 - 24 = -16.

The quotient is 816=12. \dfrac{8}{-16} = -\dfrac{1}{2}.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

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