2022 AMC 12B Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 2022 AMC 12B 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 2022 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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1.

Define xyx \diamond y to be xy|x - y| for all real numbers xx and y.y. What is the value of

(1(23))((12)3)?(1 \diamond (2 \diamond 3)) - ((1 \diamond 2) \diamond 3)?

2-2

1-1

00

11

22

Answer: A
Concepts:custom operationabsolute valueorder of operations
Difficulty rating: 890
Solution:

Since 23=23=1,2 \diamond 3 = |2-3| = 1, we get 1(23)=11=0.1 \diamond (2 \diamond 3) = 1 \diamond 1 = 0.

Since 12=12=1,1 \diamond 2 = |1-2| = 1, we get (12)3=13=13=2.(1 \diamond 2) \diamond 3 = 1 \diamond 3 = |1-3| = 2.

The value is 02=2.0 - 2 = -2.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

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