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CEMC Cayley

Algebra Difficulty 1.8 Junior Find the answer

When x=3x=3 and y=4y=4, what is the value of the expression xy−xxy-x?

A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.

Solution

When x=3x=3 and y=4y=4, we get xy−x=3×4−3=12−3=9xy-x=3 \times 4-3=12-3=9. Alternatively, xy−x=x(y−1)=3×3=9xy-x=x(y-1)=3 \times 3=9.

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