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2018 AMC 10A Problem 12

Problem 12 of 25IntermediateAlgebra

How many ordered pairs of real numbers (x,y)(x,y) satisfy the following system of equations? { x+3y=3 xy=1\begin{cases} ~x+3y&=3 \\ ~\big||x|-|y|\big|&=1 \end{cases}

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Solution

The second equation says xy=1|x|-|y|=1 or xy=1|x|-|y|=-1, so it is enough to check the four linear possibilities x=y±1x=y\pm1 and x=y±1x=-y\pm1. Combining these with x+3y=3x+3y=3 gives (x,y)=(32,12)(x,y)=\left(\dfrac32,\dfrac12\right), (0,1)(0,1), (0,1)(0,1) again, and (3,2)(-3,2). These are three distinct ordered pairs, and each satisfies the original absolute-value equation. Thus, C is the correct answer.

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Concepts: absolute value · system of equations · casework

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