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Difficulty: 2/102025 IOQM 2025 (Q20)

If for a non-zero real number , what is the value of ?

Options:

  • A.

    16

  • B.

    17

  • 14

  • D.

    15

Guide / Hint

Hint 1: Square both sides of the given equation: .

Hint 2: Expand the left side: . Notice how the and terms cancel out in the cross-product.

Hint 3: Subtract 2 from both sides of the equation to find the value of .

Solution

Step 1: Start with the given equation:

Step 2: Square both sides of the equation:

Step 3: Simplify the middle term :

Step 4: Subtract from both sides:

So the value is .

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