2016 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 10

Suppose that $a * b$ means $3a-b.$ What is the value of $x$ if $2 * (5 * x)=1$ $\textbf{(A) }\frac{1}{10} \qquad\textbf{(B) }2\qquad\textbf{(C) }\frac{10}{3} \qquad\textbf{(D) }10\qquad \textbf{(E) }14$

Solution

Let us plug in $(5 * x)=1$ into $3a-b$ . Thus it would be $3(5)-x$ . Now we have $2*(15-x)=1$ . Plugging $2*(15-x)$ into $3a-b$ . We have $6-15+x=1$ . Solving for $x$ we have $-9+x=1$ $x=\boxed{\textbf{(D)} 10}$

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2016 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 10

Solution