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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

A portion of the graph of is shown in red below, where is a quadratic function. The distance between grid lines is unit.

What is the sum of all distinct numbers such that ?

problem
Solution
First, we note that there are two points on the graph whose -coordinates are . These are and . Therefore, if , then equals or .

There are three points on the graph whose -coordinates are or . These are and . Therefore, if is or , then equals or .

There are four points on the graph whose -coordinates are or (and none whose -coordinate is ). The -coordinates of these points are not integers, but we can use the symmetry of the graph (with respect to the vertical line ) to deduce that if these points are and then and . Therefore, the sum of all four -coordinates is .
Final answer
-8