1. 代入法
例题:If x and y are two different integers and the product 35xy is the square of an integer, which of the following could be equal to xy?
A. 5 B.70 C. 105 D. 140 E. 350解答:将答案依次带入,发现只有D选项35xy=35×140=35×35×4=(35×2)2。
2. 特殊值法
例题:xy=x+y. If y>2, what are all possible values of x that satisfy the equation above?
A. x<0, B. 0
解答:y>2,不妨假设它为3,3x=x+3,x=3/2,一目了然D即为正确选项。
3. 巧解法
例题:At a certain diner, Joe orders 3 doughnuts and a cup of coffee and is charged $2.25. Stella orders 2 doughnuts and a cup of coffee and is charged $1.70. What is the price of 2 doughnuts?
A. $ 0.55 B. $ 0.60 C. $ 1.10 D. $ 1.30 E. $ 1.80
解答:按照常规的解题思路,我们可以用字母x和y分别指代“炸面包圈”和“咖啡”的价格,然后建立2个方程式3 x+y= $ 2.25 , 2 x+y= $ 1.70,后求出方程组的解x=$ 0.55,y =$ 0.6。
但是只要稍作思考,我们不难发现解题的捷径—— 3个炸面包圈加1杯咖啡的价格与2个炸面包圈加1 杯咖啡的价格相减,余额就是1个炸面包圈的价格:$ 2.25 -$ 1.70 =$ 0.55 。此时,我们还要注意的是,千万不能掉入命题者的陷阱而选择A,,因为A选项只是1个炸面包圈的价格。所以,正确答案应该是C选项。