2025 AMC 12A Problem 19

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 19 of the 2025 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2025 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:Vieta’s Formulassymmetry (algebra)

Difficulty rating: 2020

19.

Let a,a, b,b, and cc be the roots of the polynomial x3+kx+1.x^3 + kx + 1. What is the sum

a3b2+a2b3+b3c2+b2c3+c3a2+c2a3?a^3b^2 + a^2b^3 + b^3c^2 + b^2c^3 + c^3a^2 + c^2a^3?

k-k

k+1-k + 1

11

k1k - 1

kk

Solution:

By Vieta's formulas, a+b+c=0,a + b + c = 0, ab+bc+ca=k,ab + bc + ca = k, and abc=1.abc = -1.

Group the sum as a2b2(a+b)+b2c2(b+c)+c2a2(c+a).a^2b^2(a + b) + b^2c^2(b + c) + c^2a^2(c + a). Since a+b+c=0,a + b + c = 0, we have a+b=c,a + b = -c, b+c=a,b + c = -a, c+a=b.c + a = -b.

So the sum equals a2b2cab2c2a2bc2=abc(ab+bc+ca)=(1)(k)=k.-a^2b^2 c - ab^2c^2 - a^2bc^2 = -abc(ab + bc + ca) = -(-1)(k) = k.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

Problem 19 in Other Years