2015 AMC 12A Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2015 AMC 12A 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 2015 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

Integers xx and yy with x>y>0x \gt y \gt 0 satisfy x+y+xy=80.x+y+xy = 80. What is x?x?

88

1010

1515

1818

2626

Answer: E
Concepts:Simon’s Favorite Factoring TrickDiophantine Equation
Difficulty rating: 1530
Solution:

Adding 11 to both sides and factoring gives (x+1)(y+1)=81=34.(x+1)(y+1) = 81 = 3^4.

Because xx and yy are distinct positive integers with x>y,x \gt y, the only possibility is x+1=33=27x+1 = 3^3 = 27 and y+1=3.y+1 = 3. Therefore x=26.x = 26.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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