1990 AMC 12 Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 1990 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 1990 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

1.

If x42=4x2,\dfrac{\frac{x}{4}}{2}=\dfrac4{\frac{x}{2}}, then x=x=
±12\pm\frac12
±1\pm1
±2\pm2
±4\pm4
±8\pm8
Answer: E
Concepts:complex fractionquadratic equation
Small hint:
Simplify both complex fractions first
Big hint:
After clearing denominators, solve the resulting equation in x2x^2
Solution:
The equation simplifies to x8=8x.\frac{x}{8}=\frac8x. Since x≠0,x\ne0, multiplying by 8x8x gives x2=64,x^2=64, so x=±8.x=\pm8.
Thus the correct answer is E.
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