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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

Let be defined by Calculate .
Solution
The number is the value of such that . Since the function is defined piecewise, to find this value, we must consider both cases and .

If and , then , which leads to . Note that this value satisfies the condition . If and , then . This equation factors as , so , , or . But none of these values satisfies , so the solution is , which means .

Now we compute , which is the value of such that .

If and , then , which leads to . Note that this value satisfies the condition . If and , then , or . This equation factors as , so , , or . But none of these values satisfies , so the solution is , which means .

Therefore, .

Final answer
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