2007 AMC 10B Problem 2

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 2 of the 2007 AMC 10B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2007 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:custom operationorder of operations

Difficulty rating: 870

2.

Define the operation \star by ab=(a+b)b.a\star b = (a+b)b. What is (35)(53)?(3\star 5)-(5\star 3)?

16-16

8-8

00

88

1616

Solution:

Since 35=(3+5)5=403\star 5=(3+5)\cdot 5=40 and 53=(5+3)3=24,5\star 3=(5+3)\cdot 3=24, the difference is 4024=16.40-24=16.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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