2020 AMC 12A Problem 15

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 15 of the 2020 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2020 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:complex number factoring distance formula

Difficulty rating: 1690

15.

In the complex plane, let $A$ be the set of solutions to $z^3 - 8 = 0$ and let $B$ be the set of solutions to $z^3 - 8z^2 - 8z + 64 = 0.$ What is the greatest distance between a point of $A$ and a point of $B?$

$2\sqrt{3}$

$6$

$9$

$2\sqrt{21}$

$9 + \sqrt{3}$

Solution:

The set $A$ consists of the cube roots of $8:$ $2,$ $-1 + i\sqrt3,$ and $-1 - i\sqrt3.$

Factoring by grouping, $z^3 - 8z^2 - 8z + 64 = z^2(z - 8) - 8(z - 8) = (z - 8)(z^2 - 8),$ so $B = \{8, 2\sqrt2, -2\sqrt2\},$ all real.

The greatest distance is from $-1 \pm i\sqrt3$ to $8:$ $\sqrt{(8 - (-1))^2 + (\sqrt3)^2} = \sqrt{81 + 3} = \sqrt{84} = 2\sqrt{21}.$

Thus, D is the correct answer.

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