2023 AMC 12B Problem 12

Attempt Problem 12 of the 2023 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 2023 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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12.

For complex numbers $u=a+bi$ and $v=c+di,$ define the binary operation $\otimes$ by

$u\otimes v=ac+bdi.$

Suppose $z$ is a complex number such that $z\otimes z=z^2+40.$ What is $|z|?$

$2$

$5$

$\sqrt{5}$

$\sqrt{10}$

$5\sqrt{2}$

Answer: E

Concepts:custom operation complex number system of equations

Difficulty rating: 1630

Solution:

With $z=a+bi,$ we have $z\otimes z=a^2+b^2 i$ and $z^2+40=(a^2-b^2+40)+2abi.$ The real parts give $a^2=a^2-b^2+40,$ so $b^2=40.$ The imaginary parts give $b^2=2ab,$ so $b=2a$ and $a^2=\tfrac{b^2}{4}=10.$ Then $|z|^2=a^2+b^2=50,$ so $|z|=5\sqrt{2}.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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