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2000 AMC 10 Problem 9

Problem 9 of 25EasierAlgebra

If x2=p,|x - 2| = p, where x<2,x \lt 2, then xp=x - p =

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Solution

Because x<2,x \lt 2, we have x2=2x=p,|x - 2| = 2 - x = p, so x=2p.x = 2 - p. Then xp=(2p)p=22p.x - p = (2 - p) - p = 2 - 2p. Thus, the correct answer is C.

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Concepts: absolute value · algebraic manipulation

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.