2021 AMC 10A Spring Problem 9

Below is the video solution and professionally curated solution for Problem 9 of the 2021 AMC 10A Spring, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2021 AMC 10A Spring solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:optimizationalgebraic manipulation

Difficulty rating: 770

9.

What is the least possible value of (xy1)2+(x+y)2(xy-1)^2+(x+y)^2 for real numbers xx and y?y?

00

14\dfrac{1}{4}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

11

22

Video solution:
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Written solution:

Expanding, we get x2y22xy+1+x2+2xy+y2=x2y2+x2+y2+1. \begin{gather*} x^2y^2 - 2xy + 1 + x^2 + 2xy + y^2 \\ = x^2y^2 + x^2 + y^2 + 1. \end{gather*} Note that every square must be non-negative. Therefore, the minimum value is when all the terms except 11 are 0,0, making the sum 1.1.

This is attainable when x=y=0.x = y = 0.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

Problem 9 in Other Years