2015 AMC 12A Problem 24
Attempt Problem 24 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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24.
Rational numbers and are chosen at random among all rational numbers in the interval that can be written as fractions where and are integers with What is the probability that is a real number?
Answer: D
Small Hint:
There are allowed values for each of and is real iff or
Big Hint:
Translate those into or
Solution:
There are possible values for each of and In reduced form, denominators contribute respectively values in for a total of
Writing and the fourth power is real if and only if or
The case means giving pairs; the case means giving another pairs, of which were already counted.
For the remaining condition with neither side zero, the allowed values of are and The corresponding numbers of allowed values of are respectively For example, when the values are and the other rows follow from the same quarter-turn identities. Hence this condition contributes more pairs.
In all there are valid pairs out of so the probability is
Thus, the correct answer is D.
Problem 24 in Other Years
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