2015 AMC 12A Problem 4

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 4 of the 2015 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2015 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

All of the real AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME problems in our complete solution collection are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Concepts:ratio and proportionlinear equation

Difficulty rating: 1200

4.

The sum of two positive numbers is 55 times their difference. What is the ratio of the larger number to the smaller number?

54\dfrac{5}{4}

32\dfrac{3}{2}

95\dfrac{9}{5}

22

52\dfrac{5}{2}

Solution:

Let xx and yy be the numbers with x>y>0.x \gt y \gt 0. Then x+y=5(xy).x+y = 5(x-y).

Expanding gives x+y=5x5y,x+y = 5x-5y, so 6y=4x6y = 4x and xy=32.\dfrac{x}{y} = \dfrac{3}{2}.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

Problem 4 in Other Years