Question

A binary operation $\diamondsuit$ has the properties that $a\,\diamondsuit\, (b\,\diamondsuit \,c) = (a\,\diamondsuit \,b)\cdot c$ and that $a\,\diamondsuit \,a=1$ for all nonzero real numbers $a, b,$ and $c.$ (Here $\cdot$ represents multiplication). The solution to the equation $2016 \,\diamondsuit\, (6\,\diamondsuit\, x)=100$ can be written as $\frac{p}{q},$ where $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime positive integers. What is $p+q?$

$109$

$201$

$301$

$3049$

$33,601$

Answer: A

Concepts:custom operation functional equation

Difficulty rating: 1820

Solution:

Since $a\diamondsuit a=1$ , substituting $b=c$ in $a\diamondsuit(b\diamondsuit c)=(a\diamondsuit b)c$ gives $a\diamondsuit1=(a\diamondsuit b)b$ . Also, using $a\diamondsuit(a\diamondsuit a)=(a\diamondsuit a)a$ gives $a\diamondsuit1=a$ . Therefore $a\diamondsuit b=\frac ab$ .

The equation becomes $\begin{aligned} 2016\diamondsuit(6\diamondsuit x) &= 2016\diamondsuit\frac6x \\ &= \frac{2016}{6/x} \\ &= 336x \\ &= 100. \end{aligned}$ Thus $x=\frac{25}{84}$ , so $p+q=25+84=109$ .

Thus, the correct answer is A.

2016 AMC 10A Problem 23

Answer: A

Difficulty rating: 1820

Solution:

Problem 23 in Other Years