2002 AMC 12B Problem 19

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 19 of the 2002 AMC 12B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2002 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:system of equationssymmetry (algebra)

Difficulty rating: 1540

19.

If a,a, b,b, and cc are positive real numbers such that a(b+c)=152,a(b+c)=152, b(c+a)=162,b(c+a)=162, and c(a+b)=170,c(a+b)=170, then abcabc is

672672

688688

704704

720720

750750

Solution:

Adding the three equations gives 2(ab+bc+ca)=484,2(ab+bc+ca)=484, so ab+bc+ca=242.ab+bc+ca=242. Subtracting each original equation from this yields bc=90,bc=90, ca=80,ca=80, and ab=72.ab=72.

Multiplying, (abc)2=908072=7202,(abc)^2=90\cdot80\cdot72=720^2, and since abc>0,abc\gt0, we get abc=720.abc=720.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

Problem 19 in Other Years