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Table of Contents
Chapter 19 Special symbols and operations
Chapter 20 Remainder. —
Chapter 21 Sequences and series 5
‘Chapter 22 Functions —i
Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem and triangles
Chapter 24 Probability 2
(ge ‘This page is intentionally left blank. AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 §, Operations
In this lecture, we learn how to solve the following types of problems using
‘unconventional signs fr the written notation of mathematical notions and
reasoning: additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, exponents, and
radicals.
All the rules of operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, radicals,
‘and exponents) we learnt from arithmetic and algcbra are still valid with these
symbols
Eur
lamental law of fra
b bxe
For any faction Fan any number e 0,
Division of fractions
To divide by a fraction, we simply multiply by its reciprocal
a,c ajd_ad
Bid bie be
Power rules of exponents
° ate gt xd
° (aby = 8" AMC 8 Prep: Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
va _ fa
= (a> 0,and 5> 0)
ve Vo
fay =a"
Eoertin of able val
old
=p
tolsbtbtant fi]- ff oo
‘Square binomial
Number of divisors
For an integer » greater than 1, let the prime factorization of n be
n= pipsps...pt, Where a, b c,.... and m are nonnegative intepers, Pr. Pas Ph
are prime numbers,
1e number of divisors is: a(n) =(a+IKb+I(e+1)...Aom-+1)
‘Sum of the positive divisors
‘The sum of divisors is: AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Or OOD =(n" + PP act DE PEt PEPE EP tock BED
Patterns of the last digit of a"
‘The last digits of a’ have patterns shown in the table below.
nfl [2 [3 [4 __| Period
2 [2 (4 [8 [6 [4
x [3 [9 [7 [1 |4
*_|s_ |6 2
x [5 1
© (6 1
F i717 [3 |4
eis (4 [2 [6 [4
ov fo ft 2
For example, when a=2,
a= 2
Yn32, 2
The last digits of 2" demonstrate a pattern: 2, 4, 8, 6, 2,4, 8, 6, ote
‘Pythagorean triples
A Pyth
.gorean triple consists of three positive integers, b, and c, such thal
@4R He.
‘There are 16 primitive Pythagorean triples with ¢< 100:
G45) (S,12,13) 15,17) (7, 24,25)
(20, 21,29) (03,35,37) (9,40,41) (28, 45,53)
(11, 60,61) (16, 63,65) (3, 56,65) (48, 55, 73)
(13,84, 85) (36,77,85) 9, 80, 89) (65, 72,97) AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
2. PROBLEMS SOLVING
2.1. Additions
‘¥¢Example 1. For any postive integer n, define (6)n to be the sum of the
positive factors ofm. For example, (6) = 1+2+3+6= 12. Find ((8))
9 B40 O46. EGO
Solution; (D)
Method |
First caleuate (18) =1+243-+6+9+ 18=39.
(9)=1434 13 439-56
Method 2:
18=3?x2
The sum of the positive factors of 18 is (3? +3! +-3°)(2! +2!) = 13 x3 39,
The sum of the positive factors of 39 is (31+ 3° (13! +13°)= 56,
((8)) = 56.
Example 2. For the positive integer n, let denote the sum of all the
positive divisors of m with the exception of m itself For example, <4> = 1+
and <12> = 1424344+6= 16, What is <<<28>>>7
(A)28 wi o2 (D6 3
Solution: (A),
Method 1
First calculate <28>=1+2+4+7414 =28.
Asa consequence, we also have <<<28>>>
Method 2:
= 2x7,
‘The sum ofall the postive divisors of 28 is (2? +2! +297! + 79)=7 « 8 =56,
$0 <28>= 56 —28 = 28,
Asa consequence, wealso have AMC 8 Preparat Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Ops
Note: A positive integer whose divisors other than itself add up to that positive
integer is called a perfect number. The two smallest perfect numbers are 6 and 28.
Example 3. Let (2) denote the sum of the digits ofthe positive integer x. For
example, # (8)= Sand # (123)= 1 #2436, For how many two-digit values of
xis®()=12?
(a3 4 ws (D9 7
Solution: E.
Since x <99, there are 7 values of x for which # (x) = 12:
93, 39; 84, 48; 75, 57; and 66,
Example 4. 1f@ b= a? +ab—Bi, then find G ¢ 2) ¢ 13,
wit (B95 ©-48 (D9 jus
Solution: B.
3¢26343x2-28946-4=11
(62) ¢ 13-116 13911411 1313? =95,
Example 5. Ifa b= (a+b) +b +b, what (SA 1) A,
wsd (B37 ©2219 (22 22
Solutic
SAT=(S4 145 "14754
54 A3=(S443)4 54 x3 +3=222,
Example 6, For all eal numbers @ and b, where b + 0, the operation is defined
asa ke b= © Compute the Following, and express your answer as a
common fraction: (1212 1),
l l 1s 5 25
wt : py >
Ws OF Og OG OG AMC 8 Preparation
Solution: D.
taa= 2
axis 24h 5
: 25 )5_ 5
1 0 =By5- 5
(RFID = BI S=
Example 7. [fa V b= a? +2ah +6, what is the value of (3 ¥ 2) V 5?
(ay2s (8) 60 (900 (D)e25 (E30
Solution: C.
aV b= a +2ab+
3V2=G42)=25,
25 V S=(25+5)*= 900,
(o+by,
tra
‘Example 8, Define x ®@y =x. Whatish @ ( @ hy?
@-h B-0 7° OF (D)2h er
Solution: C.
By the definition we have (4 hi) =H —
h@hON=hOW" =" WW) =H
sample 9. The operation @ is defined as mB =m? — mn —?, and the
‘operation P< is defined as m 4 n= 2(m—n). Compute (364) » (4¢B3).
(A)-26 @)-28 — -19 M28 ®-s
Solution: B.
3@4=3°-3x4-4=_19, AM
Preparatio
4@3=4 43-37
(B@4) >a (43) = C19) be 5)=2- 19-5} =2* C14) =~ 28,
Example 10. If for positive inteyers @ and b, (ab)
+ bin the equation (ab) =6
tbh—a—b, find the value of a
ao Bo 8 ys 12
Solution: B.
(ab)=6 = ab~a-b=6 = (@-b-=7.
We have
a-1=1 a
and b-1=7 2
()+Q): at b= 10,
Note that we ean have a1=7 and 6-1=1 with the same answer,
Example 11. Define (x A y) to mean 2x~ 3p. Evaluate ((4 3) A(5 3)
-t ®I os @)-5 @is
Solution: D.
4A 3=2x4-3x3=-1
SA3=2x5-3x3
GADYAGCAIN=CNAM=2*E1)-3*
Example 12. Given that a + 6 = a? ~ 6, what isthe value of 4 + (2 41)?
M7 B15 O8 MIs 7
Solution: D,
241= 2-1
4424144 (D=4 P= 64-49-15. AMC 8 Preparat Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operation:
Example 13. 10. Subfactorials, tn, are defined by the formula
\
en!)
we
(ay “w @) 0 © 4 @O 144 (E)6.
Express the following where for x= 6:
Solution: A.
6
G1
pith til) d Maat tit)
wo aa 3a wa a*a ata)
“t,t rt) Tt t,t
14
1
goa" @ 372 6°24 120730
Lats yn ss
waa" as" 30" Fa0 iae
3
8 O49 _ 265
ep
30
Example 14. The operation @ is d
ined by @= n? —1, What is the value of the
following: 103%) ~ 5(4)?
as 9 ©s (pis Ss
Solution: B,
38-7188 AMC 8 Preparat
40-4115
103) ~ 54) = 10x 8-5 «15 = 80-75 ~5.
3. Multiplications
example 15,164 means 4-3 2-1, whatis the valu of $2
(a0 B40 30 (0) 60 80
Solution: A.
St _ 5x43!
=5x4=20.
el
Example 16, Ifa % bis defined as (a + 1)(b 1), find (2% 3) ok 4.
(120 BOS (C)S6 wit (20
Solution: B.
2 3=Q+DG+)
23) A= 12 4= (124 NAH 1) = 65,
Example 17. Two binary operations are defined by the rules a # b= a —b and a
» b= (a+). What is the value of 2 #3) ¥ 9?
(A) 1000 (B)N29— @=512— (1 (&) -1000
Solution: E,
Qk 3=P—3=— 19,
23) 9=C19)9
19 +9) = 1000. Example 18. Given a 5 = ab+ 1, evaluate: 4 * [(6* 8) + (3*5)]
(ayes 2 Ow M261 Hin
x84 1849,
xS+1=16,
[6 # 8) + #5] =494 1665
48 (G6 * 8)+GB*5)]=4¥65=46541=261
Example 19. Ifa sc b= ab~1 anda b= a+b 1, what i the value of 4
16 Hk BAG se NP
(27 (104 ©) 26 (D) 103 (e182
Solution: D.
6k 8=6+8-1=13
3 S=3x5-1=14
(6k 8)KG 3 5)= 13k 14= 13 + 14-1 = 26,
4210 BAC Se d)]=4 He LO= 4x 26—1 = 105.
Di
‘eFExample 20. For each pair of real numbers a #6, define the operation * as
ath
(a*b)
(J) 28 Bi-/7 (OO D)12_—_&) This value is not defined.
‘What isthe value of ((12)+ 4)?
Solution: B,
1
First we have (1+2)=!
2-77
Then ((1+2)44)=(-344)
10 6@3,
45 B-14 OW Om Ir
‘Example 21. Define @@b=ab—6" and attb=a+b—ab™. What is
Solution: A.
We have 6@3=6x3~3 =9 and 613=6+3 6x3" = 45,
Therefore §@3 = 5 =}
ois 455
‘tixample 2. For the nonzero numbers, b, and, define (aye) =
Find @ 5,8).
isa ws Ou os (24
nA.
2x58 _80_16
aa see Is 3
: fs as
Example 23, Expose 3 ¥ (#5) ae a common fraction given 8 h=
20 60 20 a
0 52 wm we
(A) 9 (BYE (©) a a ) aT a ) 0
Solution: C
4x5 _20
ans= 2S
as 9
2% 60
3x
* a3 9 9
3a @esy=3 9 3,20 47
9
a AMC 8 Preparat Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Example 24.18% = ©") compute (3 #1) 342
3 (64 ©2 1 ws
Solution: A.
G+
31 G1) #2
+ express 5 #7 as.a common fraction.
2 4 »
OF OF O-5
+d
ind (5
pe find (5 #6) #1
Example 26, Given a *
20 u 4 u 98s
a wt © py ey 85
On 50 OF On Osa
Solution.
546
56
"
546 AMC 8 Preparation, Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Example 27, Ifa © b isdefined as ©, what she value of 6 605)?
wt ws ©@2 Mo ©
4 and 6005) =604)= 4-5
‘feExample 28. The operation ® is defined for all nonzero numbers by a 6 =
1b, Determine [1 ® 2)® 4] ~[1® 2 @4)}
(AsI6 (B)-145 (C0 (yIsi6 176
Solution
1:
oO
We have (1 ® 2) ® = a ig
19 209 10@)-10
Therefore [(1 @ 2) 4] -[1@ 2@4)}
Example 29. If x © y=(2')', what is the units digit of 4 @ 10?
ye (Bs ©@2 ws eo
Solution: A
4010-%=4"
The patton forthe las igi of "i 4, 6,4, 6,
When the exponent 40 is divided by 2, the remainders 0. Therefor, the las git
‘of 4" is the same as the last digit of 4”. So the last digit is 6. AMC 8 Prepara Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operai
Example 30, Ifa ¢ means 34~2', then what value is associated with 4(2 6
3)?
49 4
aod 16 a B)-2
wy (Bs (©) 16 OF ©
Solution: D,
23=3%2-2)
8-2
2 1
3x4-Qy?=12
ey 7
462 63)=4 60-2)
a.
Example 31, Ifa 9 B= al bY, what is (4% 3) + 3 94 4)?
(256 BMS I 5s (2
Solution: C.
4k 3-44 38= 145
3k 4a 3d 45
(4 3) = G 4k 4) = 1452 14
Example 32. For natural numbers a and b, a A. b= 6" + 2ab, Find the value of 2
Ad-GA2),
wi yar 37 12 «0
Solution: A.
P+ 2K 2389+ 12-21,
Y42%2x3=
@A3-GAM=21-
Example 33. Ifx % y=x' — x+y" find the value of (4 92) — 3.8 1),
Ae ®t O13 (17 wis
Solution: E.
1“ AMCS
thapter 19 Spei
1 Symbols and Of
4@2=d 4+ P= 16-444=16
3@ pes! -3 43-341
(482)-@@N=16-1=15,
Example 4. 1fx @y =)", what isthe units digit of 7 ® 5?
a 9 ©3 On ord
Solution: C.
7H S= (7 =7™.
We know that
nt _]2_]3_[4 | Period
7 |7_lo [3 [ft [4
3564843.
7° has the same last digit as 7". The answer is 3.
o dab
Example 35. Given a A b= “and a.0 b= “—, find the common fraction
ple 35. Gi gevand = find i
equivalent to @A3)02A1),
3 4 8 8 ls
ae a D) ud
Oy Bs ©5 OZ ®s
Solution: A,
as AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Svmbols and Operations
2.6. Radicals
Example 36, for real numbers a and b, define a6 = Va? +" . What is the
value of (015}6(-15)(-8))2
wo OMe © Ont 2%
Solution:
Tefllows fom te dein that
(8015)0(-15)0-8) = VB-HIS°O/CISP 4 CaP = 17017 = VP AF =n
Example 37. Let V be defined as Y(a, 6)= Va? +6° for all real numbers aand
b. Find 7 (7 (¥(12, 5), 84), 132),
97 NT ]B7— Mis? IB7
Solution: D.
V2, 3)= Viz7+5? =13.
V (VU2, 5), 84)= V (13, 84)= Vi3" +847 =85
Y (Y (9(12, 5), 84), 132) = 9 (85, 132) = V8s? +132? =157.
Example 38, Let 3x be defined as #(a, 6) = Va? +6" , for all real numbers a and
. Find +(74(16, 63), G3, 56)) and express in simplest radical form,
(A) 65 (Bi 65V2_— (©) 63V2_—(D) 130 (B) 56v2
Solution: B.
(16, 63) = Vi +63"
(33, 56) = 33456? = 65
¥(5°(16, 63), #(33, 56)) = 4(65, 65) = JOS" +65" = 65V7
6 AMC 8 Preparati inter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Example 39, If y= Jay +23 find the valu of (4.0 4) 3. Express your
answer as a common faction.
2 © ©8 oF w7
v cial Symbols
ay ions
OBLEMS
Problem 1. Let the operations A. and C1 be defined for all real numbers @ and
as follows:
aAbmat3h
all b=atab
If 4 A (Sy)= (Sy) C14, whatis the value of y?
Mss BI ©@2 M35 Eas
%Problem 2. For the positive integer n, let and
12> = 1424344 + 6= 16, What is <<<18>>>?
wi @)I ©@2 6 3
4 -what isthe valu of @ 2) 28 332
4 3 12
O; ®7 © 1 OF
Problem 4. Ifa represents an operation defined by a vb = a + b, find
(ska) #3,
(a3 (B27 ©w wo 732
Problem 5.1ta © 6= 4
1
+ for what decimal value ofa is a © 0.2" 10?
6
wt
7 7 1
5 Bp oo 1 ©}
Problem 6. Given that a & b= (a? +) +2, What isthe value of 5 37
wi ws rs (Ds (E28
18 AMC 8 Preparation thapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Problem [Link] a b= a? +b, evaluate (4 & 3) & 18.
wi (361 ©)380._—(D)32#_ (NIT
‘YeProblem 8. Define x @ y =x —y. What ish ® (h ® hy?
@-h B90 Oh (2h wr
Problem 9,1 9 y=x—y?, what is @ ® 2) 42
ws Ms o> O16 rs
Problem 10, 1f (ab) =ab—a—b, find the value of in the equation (35) =5.
ws 4 ©3 (pis 2
Problem 11, Ifa ¢ b=2a~b, what does 3 ¢ 4 equal?
(2 2 ow 5 ©
Problem 12. Suppose that « © 6 = ab ~ b for all integers a and b, What is the
value of 3 @(-2)?
w-4 Bs Os 4 (7
Problem 13. If -& B= 34? 28°, find 7% 3
AID BB OB (21 (10
Problem 14.1fy 2=y?~ 1, find (9°)
Hs BGI COI D7 SI
Problem 15, Ifa ¥ b= 3a~B% find2 ¥ GV 1).
Problem 16, 14! means 4-3-2 1, express ——— in simplest form.
ni
(Aan B56 OB (wis 120
a9 AMC 8 Prepara Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Problem 17, Given a Ob = a(a+5)-+ Ba + b), find 9 © 7,
(A256 (B25 @A4 Wy 16 (289
a ¢ 7
Problem 18, oral values, and |e abe. it
iwsahesnsa [4h bo
what is x?
ayia ®-1 ©-4 M-15 @HU
Problem 19,1Fa © b= 0°b, find (302) - (203),
ws Be or (12 ()-6
x 393 i
Problem 20.1fvGy = ~s2y, express > ©3 asa common fraction
y= tay, express FOF
5 og! 2
Oy Oy ©7 OF MF
*D, express 6-6 2 as common faction
roblem [Link] a © b=
Problem [Link] 0 b=
8 2 4h 1 3
ws 5 ©; ; oO,
Probl [Link] th opsntons. a6 = 20—banda k
6 & | 3x9 |
ot @ ©L mw
2+ evaluate:
6
8
7. Express your answer as a
ah PES
Problem 23. Evaluate 3 44 if ab
2» AMC § Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operation
5 5 9 16
ws ny 5 i 5
Oz BF OF OT 1
Problem 24. The operation +s defined to boa t= M22 apres 3 # 3 #3)
asa common facten,
3 uM 3 u :
wy iw © mn o) z 1
Problem 25.1 [abe] =~? , what is the value of (f123[231]312]]?
(A)3 (Bye (2 wi (E)5
A
Problem 26.114 4 B= 242. wha ithe vale of (34) #3? Express your
answer as a commen fraction.
3 3 2 2 .
> > ©; M-= Or
b
Problem 27. Ifa ¥ b= ©", what isthe value of (7 ¥ 930 2 IT!
1 47 3 u 3
wish — @ ) i 2143,
ws oF ©, OF OMe
Problem 28. Given a 6= 229, Sind R912
Mo @s Ov @% 6
Problem 29. Ifa A b= (aby, find SA2. Express the answer as a whole number
(A) 100,000 (B)50,000 (C) 20,000 (D) 96,000 (E) 6,000
a AMC 8 Preparation rapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Problem 30. If a ba"", then what value is associated with 2 3?”
(A) 64 @s12 © (D)128 (E1024
Problem 31. Ifa b is defined as 2a~ b*, what value is associated with (5 © 2)
-Ge2
(A)-24 @)-20 ©-2— MB (B24
Problem 32. Given « # b= 6" ~ ha + a, find (2 €3) x (3 2)
(i212 ou 144 8
Problem 33, Fornatural numbers, a and ba B=" —a + b, Find the value of
482-C a4,
wx @-4 Os (4 2
Problem 34. Given the a +5 =a! —b%, and a V b= (a+ bXa~6), what isthe
value of a + (a Yb) ifa=3 and
us (By is O28 MR wis
Problem 35, 1° (a+ b)= (a xb) +a + 6% find 3-4 5.
28 B38] RS (DIS us
Problem 36. Ifa ®
2 6" find 2 #3.
0 2 1 1 s
a wy oyit 2
7 OF Of OM} 2
Problem 37. 1a 9 5=a" +6" find the value of (23) 6 and express the
result asa common fraction.
2 3 OB © fer
Problem 38. Let V be defined as V(a, 6) = a? + forall real numbers a ane
b. Find Y (V8, 5), 144),
(ayes @S CBS O)/4S_— (HY 16S
Problem 39, Given a b= va? +B" find ((13 4 84) 2 (36 3 77).
(A) 85 (B) 852, 3) 8372 (D) 135 (B) S8V2
Problem 40. Given hat © y= Yay, find (6 © 10) © 5.
we (8)3 O16 om /5 7
Problem 41. The symbols + and + represent different operations, either +, ~
‘or +,and xis a positive integer. Find x if 17 4 x= 54 x,
ws @s os 5 7
2 AM
Preparation
‘Symbols and Oper:
SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: A,
4A Gy)=443%5y o
(0 4 syt4xg @
We are given that (1) ~(2).So4+3*Sy=Sy+4x4 => 4 I5pespt
16 => Wy=12 => y= 12M0= 45.
Problem 2. Solution: A.
Method 1
‘The positive divisors of 18, other than 18, ae 1,2, 3, 6, and 9, so <18>= 142+
34649521. <2>=14347 8 11 =1
Problem 3. Solution; 0,
23
23°6
313
276
Theansweris 3 ®2)-2@3)=0.
Problem 4. Solution; C.
Tae +
Sie <3°+3=2743=30.
Problem S. Solution: A,
I 1 1
ao02=10 =1 W=> “45-10 = Les a=
a 02 a a 5
Problem 6. Solution: A.
50 3=(S+3)+2=14,
2% AMC 8 Preparation thapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations,
Problem 7. Solution: E
4ezeeP43=19.
19 y 18198 + 18= 19+ 19-1 = 1919 + 1) —
9 x 20-1 = 380
‘Problem 8. Solution: C.
By the definition we have h®(h@h) =h@(h? —h) =H —(i —h)=h
Problem 9. Solution: C
B= B-HG+D=S.
342
Geaaa= PP (5-4) (544) "9,
Problem 10, Solution: B.
@b)=3 > S=3b-3-0 = Mb=8=> bad
Problem 11. Solution: B.
Ved=2x3-4=2
Problem 12, Solution: A.
3.O(-2)=3 5 (-2)-(-2)=-6 42>
Problem 13. Solution: C.
Tk 3xP 2x P= 93
Problem 14. Solution: C,
*—1=80
802 = 80-1 = 6399,
2s
