Difference between revisions of "2006 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 12"

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<math>\text {(A) } -p \qquad \text {(B) } 0 \qquad \text {(C) } 2 \qquad \text {(D) } 4 \qquad \text {(E) } p</math>
 
<math>\text {(A) } -p \qquad \text {(B) } 0 \qquad \text {(C) } 2 \qquad \text {(D) } 4 \qquad \text {(E) } p</math>
  
== Solution ==
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== Solution 1==
 
Substituting <math>(0,-p)</math>, we find that <math>y = -p = a(0)^2 + b(0) + c = c</math>, so our parabola is <math>y = ax^2 + bx - p</math>.  
 
Substituting <math>(0,-p)</math>, we find that <math>y = -p = a(0)^2 + b(0) + c = c</math>, so our parabola is <math>y = ax^2 + bx - p</math>.  
  
 
The x-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola is given by <math>x = p = \frac{-b}{2a} \Longleftrightarrow a = \frac{-b}{2p}</math>. Additionally, substituting <math>(p,p)</math>, we find that <math>y = p = a(p)^2 + b(p) - p \Longleftrightarrow ap^2 + (b-2)p = \left(\frac{-b}{2p}\right)p^2 + (b-2)p = p\left(\frac b2-2\right) = 0</math>. Since it is given that <math>p \neq 0</math>, then <math>\frac{b}{2} = 2 \Longrightarrow b = 4\ \mathrm{(D)}</math>.
 
The x-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola is given by <math>x = p = \frac{-b}{2a} \Longleftrightarrow a = \frac{-b}{2p}</math>. Additionally, substituting <math>(p,p)</math>, we find that <math>y = p = a(p)^2 + b(p) - p \Longleftrightarrow ap^2 + (b-2)p = \left(\frac{-b}{2p}\right)p^2 + (b-2)p = p\left(\frac b2-2\right) = 0</math>. Since it is given that <math>p \neq 0</math>, then <math>\frac{b}{2} = 2 \Longrightarrow b = 4\ \mathrm{(D)}</math>.
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==Solution 2==
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A parabola with the given equation and with vertex <math>(p,p)</math> must have equation <math>y=a(x-p)^2+p</math>. Because the <math>y</math>-intercept is <math>(0,-p)</math> and <math>p\ne 0</math>, it follows that <math>a=-2/p</math>. Thus \[
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y=-\frac{2}{p}(x^2-2px+p^2)+p=-\frac{2}{p}x^2+4x-p,
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\] so <math>\boxed{b=4}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 12:24, 31 December 2016

Problem

The parabola $y=ax^2+bx+c$ has vertex $(p,p)$ and $y$-intercept $(0,-p)$, where $p\ne 0$. What is $b$?

$\text {(A) } -p \qquad \text {(B) } 0 \qquad \text {(C) } 2 \qquad \text {(D) } 4 \qquad \text {(E) } p$

Solution 1

Substituting $(0,-p)$, we find that $y = -p = a(0)^2 + b(0) + c = c$, so our parabola is $y = ax^2 + bx - p$.

The x-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola is given by $x = p = \frac{-b}{2a} \Longleftrightarrow a = \frac{-b}{2p}$. Additionally, substituting $(p,p)$, we find that $y = p = a(p)^2 + b(p) - p \Longleftrightarrow ap^2 + (b-2)p = \left(\frac{-b}{2p}\right)p^2 + (b-2)p = p\left(\frac b2-2\right) = 0$. Since it is given that $p \neq 0$, then $\frac{b}{2} = 2 \Longrightarrow b = 4\ \mathrm{(D)}$.

Solution 2

A parabola with the given equation and with vertex $(p,p)$ must have equation $y=a(x-p)^2+p$. Because the $y$-intercept is $(0,-p)$ and $p\ne 0$, it follows that $a=-2/p$. Thus \[ y=-\frac{2}{p}(x^2-2px+p^2)+p=-\frac{2}{p}x^2+4x-p, \] so $\boxed{b=4}$.

See also

2006 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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