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1985 AJHSME Problems/Problem 24: Difference between revisions

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==Problem==


In a magic triangle, each of the six [[whole number|whole numbers]] <math>10-15</math> is placed in one of the [[circle|circles]] so that the sum, <math>S</math>, of the three numbers on each side of the [[triangle]] is the same.  The largest possible value for <math>S</math> is
<asy>
draw(circle((0,0),1));
draw(dir(60)--6*dir(60));
draw(circle(7*dir(60),1));
draw(8*dir(60)--13*dir(60));
draw(circle(14*dir(60),1));
draw((1,0)--(6,0));
draw(circle((7,0),1));
draw((8,0)--(13,0));
draw(circle((14,0),1));
draw(circle((10.5,6.0621778264910705273460621952706),1));
draw((13.5,0.86602540378443864676372317075294)--(11,5.1961524227066318805823390245176));
draw((10,6.9282032302755091741097853660235)--(7.5,11.258330249197702407928401219788));
</asy>
<math>\text{(A)}\ 36 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 37 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 38 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 39 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 40</math>
==Solution 1==
Let the number in the top circle be <math>a</math> and then <math>b</math>, <math>c</math>, <math>d</math>, <math>e</math>, and <math>f</math>, going in clockwise order. Then, we have <cmath>S=a+b+c</cmath> <cmath>S=c+d+e</cmath> <cmath>S=e+f+a</cmath>
Adding these [[equation|equations]] together, we get
<cmath>\begin{align*}
3S &= (a+b+c+d+e+f)+(a+c+e) \\
&= 75+(a+c+e) \\
\end{align*}</cmath>
where the last step comes from the fact that since <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, <math>c</math>, <math>d</math>, <math>e</math>, and <math>f</math> are the numbers <math>10-15</math> in some order, their [[sum]] is <math>10+11+12+13+14+15=75</math>
The left hand side is [[divisible]] by <math>3</math> and <math>75</math> is divisible by <math>3</math>, so <math>a+c+e</math> must be divisible by <math>3</math>.  The largest possible value of <math>a+c+e</math> is then <math>15+14+13=42</math>, and the corresponding value of <math>S</math> is <math>\frac{75+42}{3}=39</math>, which is choice <math>\boxed{\text{D}}</math>.
It turns out this sum is attainable if you let <cmath>a=15</cmath> <cmath>b=10</cmath> <cmath>c=14</cmath> <cmath>d=12</cmath> <cmath>e=13</cmath> <cmath>f=11</cmath>
==Solution 2==
To make the sum the greatest, put the three largest numbers <math>(13,14</math> and <math>15)</math> in the corners. Then, balance the sides by putting the least integer <math>(10)</math> between the greatest sum <math>(14</math> and <math>15)</math>. Then put the next least integer <math>(11)</math> between the next greatest sum (<math>13 +15</math>). Fill in the last integer <math>(12)</math> and you can see that the sum of any three numbers on a side is (for example) <math>14 +10 + 15 = 39</math>
<math>\boxed{\text{D}}</math>.
-by goldenn
==See Also==
{{AJHSME box|year=1985|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
[[Category:Introductory Number Theory Problems]]
[[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]]
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 11:28, 9 September 2021

Problem

In a magic triangle, each of the six whole numbers $10-15$ is placed in one of the circles so that the sum, $S$, of the three numbers on each side of the triangle is the same. The largest possible value for $S$ is

[asy] draw(circle((0,0),1)); draw(dir(60)--6*dir(60)); draw(circle(7*dir(60),1)); draw(8*dir(60)--13*dir(60)); draw(circle(14*dir(60),1)); draw((1,0)--(6,0)); draw(circle((7,0),1)); draw((8,0)--(13,0)); draw(circle((14,0),1)); draw(circle((10.5,6.0621778264910705273460621952706),1)); draw((13.5,0.86602540378443864676372317075294)--(11,5.1961524227066318805823390245176)); draw((10,6.9282032302755091741097853660235)--(7.5,11.258330249197702407928401219788)); [/asy]

$\text{(A)}\ 36 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 37 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 38 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 39 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 40$

Solution 1

Let the number in the top circle be $a$ and then $b$, $c$, $d$, $e$, and $f$, going in clockwise order. Then, we have \[S=a+b+c\] \[S=c+d+e\] \[S=e+f+a\]

Adding these equations together, we get

\begin{align*} 3S &= (a+b+c+d+e+f)+(a+c+e) \\ &= 75+(a+c+e) \\ \end{align*}

where the last step comes from the fact that since $a$, $b$, $c$, $d$, $e$, and $f$ are the numbers $10-15$ in some order, their sum is $10+11+12+13+14+15=75$

The left hand side is divisible by $3$ and $75$ is divisible by $3$, so $a+c+e$ must be divisible by $3$. The largest possible value of $a+c+e$ is then $15+14+13=42$, and the corresponding value of $S$ is $\frac{75+42}{3}=39$, which is choice $\boxed{\text{D}}$.

It turns out this sum is attainable if you let \[a=15\] \[b=10\] \[c=14\] \[d=12\] \[e=13\] \[f=11\]


Solution 2

To make the sum the greatest, put the three largest numbers $(13,14$ and $15)$ in the corners. Then, balance the sides by putting the least integer $(10)$ between the greatest sum $(14$ and $15)$. Then put the next least integer $(11)$ between the next greatest sum ($13 +15$). Fill in the last integer $(12)$ and you can see that the sum of any three numbers on a side is (for example) $14 +10 + 15 = 39$ $\boxed{\text{D}}$. -by goldenn

See Also

1985 AJHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 23 		Followed by
Problem 25
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions


These problems are copyrighted © by the Mathematical Association of America, as part of the American Mathematics Competitions. Error creating thumbnail: File missing

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