2010 AMC 12A Problem 24
Problem 24 of 25HarderGeometry
Let The intersection of the domain of with the interval is a union of disjoint open intervals. What is
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Solution
Let the domain of is where Since and is even, so it suffices to study and double.
In the zeros of are the fractions with and For there are of them, totaling
These zeros split into subintervals on which has constant sign. Near every factor is positive, so there, and the sign flips at each zero except and where an even number of factors vanish.
Tracking the signs, exactly of the subintervals have By symmetry there are more in so
Thus, B is the correct answer.