2022 AMC 10A Problem 6

Attempt Problem 6 of the 2022 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 2022 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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6.

Which expression is equal to a2(a1)2\left|a-2-\sqrt{(a-1)^2}\right| for a<0?a < 0?

32a3 - 2a

1a1 - a

11

a+1a + 1

33

Answer: A
Concepts:absolute valueradical
Difficulty rating: 900
Solution:

By the definition of square root, we get that (a1)2=a1.\sqrt{(a - 1)^2} = |a - 1|.

Since a<0,a < 0, we get that a1<0,a - 1 < 0, which means that a1=1a.|a - 1| = 1 - a.

The whole expression therefore simplifies to a2(1a)=2a3. |a - 2 - (1 - a)| = |2a - 3|. Since a<0,a < 0, we know that 2a3<0.2a - 3 < 0. This means that 2a3=32a.|2a - 3| = 3 - 2a.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

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