2024 AMC 10B Problem 9

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 9 of the 2024 AMC 10B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2024 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:algebraic manipulationmean

Difficulty rating: 1350

9.

Real numbers a,b,a, b, and cc have arithmetic mean 0.0. The arithmetic mean of a2,b2,a^2, b^2, and c2c^2 is 10.10. What is the arithmetic mean of ab,ac,ab, ac, and bc?bc?

5-5

103-\dfrac{10}{3}

109-\dfrac{10}{9}

00

109\dfrac{10}{9}

Solution:

The means tell us a+b+c=0a + b + c = 0 and a2+b2+c2=30.a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 30. Square the first: (a+b+c)2=a2+b2+c2+2(ab+bc+ca),(a+b+c)^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + 2(ab + bc + ca), so 0=30+2(ab+bc+ca)0 = 30 + 2(ab + bc + ca) and ab+bc+ca=15.ab + bc + ca = -15. Their mean is 15/3=5.-15 / 3 = -5. Thus, A is the correct answer.

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