1996 AMC 8 Problem 11

Attempt Problem 11 of the 1996 AMC 8 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 1996 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

11.

Let xx be the number
0.0000…00001⏟1996 zeros,0.\underbrace{0000\ldots00001}_{1996 \text{ zeros}},
where there are 19961996 zeros after the decimal point. Which of the following expressions represents the largest number?
3+x3 + x
3−x3 - x
3⋅x3 \cdot x
3x\frac{3}{x}
x3\frac{x}{3}
Answer: D
Concepts:estimation
Small hint:
xx is a tiny positive number, just above 00
Big hint:
Dividing 33 by a tiny number gives a huge result, while the other choices stay near 33 or near 00
Solution:
Since xx is a very small positive number, 3+x3 + x and 3−x3 - x are near 3,3, while 3⋅x3 \cdot x and x3\frac{x}{3} are near 0.0.
But 3x\frac{3}{x} is 33 followed by 19971997 zeros, far larger than any other choice.
Thus, the correct answer is D .
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