2020 AMC 12A Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2020 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 2020 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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9.

How many solutions does the equation tan(2x)=cos(x2)\tan(2x) = \cos\left(\dfrac{x}{2}\right) have on the interval [0,2π]?[0, 2\pi]?

11

22

33

44

55

Answer: E
Concepts:trigonometry
Difficulty rating: 1560
Solution:

On [0,2π],[0, 2\pi], the graph of cos(x2)\cos\left(\tfrac{x}{2}\right) is a single arc decreasing from 11 down to 1.-1.

The function tan(2x)\tan(2x) has period π2\tfrac{\pi}{2} with vertical asymptotes at x=π4,3π4,5π4,7π4.x = \tfrac{\pi}{4}, \tfrac{3\pi}{4}, \tfrac{5\pi}{4}, \tfrac{7\pi}{4}. These split the interval into five branches. On every branch tan(2x)\tan(2x) is strictly increasing, while cos(x2)\cos(\tfrac{x}{2}) is decreasing, so there is at most one intersection per branch.

Each of the three interior branches runs from -\infty to +,+\infty, so each has one intersection. On the first branch, tan(0)=0<1=cos(0)\tan(0)=0\lt1=\cos(0) and the tangent tends to +.+\infty. On the last, the tangent starts at -\infty and ends at 0>1=cosπ.0\gt-1=\cos\pi. Thus the two outer branches also have one intersection each, for 55 total.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

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