2013 AMC 12A Problem 8

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 8 of the 2013 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2013 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:algebraic manipulationfactoring

Difficulty rating: 1400

8.

Given that xx and yy are distinct nonzero real numbers such that x+2x=y+2y,x + \dfrac{2}{x} = y + \dfrac{2}{y}, what is xy?xy?

14\dfrac{1}{4}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

11

22

44

Solution:

Multiplying by xyxy gives x2y+2y=xy2+2x,x^2 y + 2y = xy^2 + 2x, so x2yxy22x+2y=(xy)(xy2)=0. x^2 y - xy^2 - 2x + 2y = (x - y)(xy - 2) = 0.

Since xy,x \ne y, it follows that xy=2.xy = 2.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

Problem 8 in Other Years