1963 TMTA High School Algebra I Contest Problem 3

Problem

Which of the following has a negative root?

$\text{(A)} \quad 2X - 1/2 = 3$

$\text{(B)} \quad X + \frac{3}{X} = 4$

$\text{(C)} \quad \frac{3X-2}{3}= 5$

$\text{(D)} \quad 4X = 1$

$\text{(E) NOTA}$

Simplifying A yields $2X = 7/2,$ which has a positive solution.

Simplifying B yields $X^2 - 4X + 3 = 0,$ which has positive solutions.

Simplifying C yields $3X = 17,$ which has a positive solution.

Simplifying D yields $X = 1/4,$ which has a positive solution.

Each of the given answer choices have positive roots only, therefore the answer is $\boxed{\text{(E) none of the above.}}$

1963 TMTA High School Mathematics Contests (Problems)
Preceded by Problem 2	TMTA High School Mathematics Contest Past Problems/Solutions	Followed by Problem 4