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1995 AHSME Problems/Problem 12

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Problem

Let f be a linear function with the properties that f(1) \leq f(2), f(3) \geq f(4), and f(5) = 5. Which of the following is true?


\mathrm{(A) \ f(0) < 0 } \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ f(0) = 0 } \qquad \mathrm{(C) \ f(1) < f(0) < f( - 1) } \qquad \mathrm...

Solution

A linear function has the property that f(a)\leq f(b) either for all a<b, or for all b<a. Since f(3)\geq f(4), f(1)\geq f(2). Since f(1)\leq f(2), f(1)=f(2). And if f(a)=f(b) for a≠b, then f(x) is a constant function. Since f(5)=5, f(0)=5\Rightarrow \mathrm{(D)}

See also

1995 AHSME (Problems)
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 26 27 28 29 30
Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad algebra problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Algebra by Richard Rusczyk and Mathew Crawford. Over 1600 problems!
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