2005 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 2

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Problem

For each pair of real numbers $a \neq b$, define the operation $\star$ as

\[(a \star b) = \frac{a+b}{a-b}.\]

What is the value of $((1 \star 2) \star 3)$?

$\mathrm{(A) } \ -\frac{2}{3}\qquad \mathrm{(B) } \ -\frac{1}{5}\qquad \mathrm{(C) } \ 0\qquad \mathrm{(D) } \ \frac{1}{2}\qquad \mathrm{(E) } \ \text{This value is not defined.}$

Solution

$((1 \star 2) \star 3) = \left(\left(\frac{1+2}{1-2}\right) \star 3\right) = (-3 \star 3) = \frac{-3+3}{-3-3} = \boxed{\mathrm{(C) } \ 0}$.

Video Solution 1

https://youtu.be/5g_m3_nck8E

Video Solution 2

https://youtu.be/6FnnFTWUJ0s

~Charles3829

See also

2005 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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