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2011 AMC 10A Problem 7

Problem 7 of 25EasierAlgebra

Which of the following equations does not have a solution?

Answer choices

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Solution

A simplifies to x+7=0 x + 7 = 0 x=7, x = -7, so it has a solution. B simplifies to 3x=5, |-3x| = -5, which has no solution since absolute value makes everything positive. Let us make sure that all the other choices have solutions. C simplifies to x=2 \sqrt{-x} = 2 x=4 -x = 4 x=4, x = -4, which is fine. D simplifies to x=8 \sqrt{x} = 8 x=64, x = 64, which works. Finally, E simplifies to 3x=4 |-3x| = 4 3x=±4 -3x = \pm 4 x=±43, x = \pm \dfrac{4}{3}, which has a solution as well. Thus, B is the correct answer.

More practice

Concepts: absolute value · radical

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