1956 AMC 12 Problem 46

Attempt Problem 46 of the 1956 AMC 12 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 1956 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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46.

For the equation 1+x1x=N+1N\dfrac{1+x}{1-x}=\dfrac{N+1}{N} to be true where NN is positive, xx can have:

any positive value less than 11

any value less than 11

the value zero only

any non-negative value

any value

Answer: A
Concepts:rational equationparameter rangeinequalities
Difficulty rating: 1810
Small Hint:

Cross-multiply and solve for xx in terms of NN

Big Hint:

The equation reduces to x=12N+1;x=\frac{1}{2N+1}; also solve this relation for NN

Solution:

Cross-multiplication gives N(1+x)=(N+1)(1x), N(1+x)=(N+1)(1-x), so x(2N+1)=1x(2N+1)=1 and x=12N+1. x=\frac1{2N+1}. Every positive NN gives 0<x<1.0\lt x\lt1. Conversely, for any 0<x<1,0\lt x\lt1, N=1x2x>0, N=\frac{1-x}{2x}>0, so such an NN exists.

Thus, xx may be any positive value less than 1,1, and the correct answer is A.

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Problem 46 in Other Years

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