2017 AMC 10B Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2017 AMC 10B 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 2017 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

The lines with equations ax2y=cax-2y=c and 2x+by=c2x+by=-c are perpendicular and intersect at (1,5).(1, -5). What is c?c?

13 -13

8 -8

2 2

8 8

13 13

Answer: E
Concepts:coordinate geometryslopesystem of equations
Difficulty rating: 1370
Solution:

The first equation can be rewritten as y=a2xc2,y=\dfrac a2x-\dfrac c2, and the second as y=2bxcb.y=-\dfrac2b x-\dfrac cb. Because the lines are perpendicular, their slopes multiply to 1,-1, so a=b.a=b.

Substituting (x,y)=(1,5)(x,y)=(1,-5) into the two original equations gives a+10=ca+10=c and 25a=c.2-5a=-c. Adding these equations yields 124a=0,12-4a=0, so a=3a=3 and c=13.c=13.

Thus, the correct answer is E .

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