Art of Problem Solving

2008 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 1: Difference between revisions

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<math>\textbf{(A)}\ 2 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 3 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 4 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 5 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 6</math>
<math>\textbf{(A)}\ 2 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 3 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 4 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 5 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 6</math>


==Solution==
==Solution 1==
If the basketball player makes <math>x</math> three-point shots and <math>5-x</math> two-point shots, he scores <math>3x+2(5-x)=10+x</math> points. Clearly every value of <math>x</math> yields a different number of total points. Since he can make any number of three-point shots between <math>0</math> and <math>5</math> inclusive, the number of different point totals is <math>6 \Rightarrow E</math>.  
If the basketball player makes <math>x</math> three-point shots and <math>5-x</math> two-point shots, he scores <math>3x+2(5-x)=10+x</math> points. Clearly every value of <math>x</math> yields a different number of total points. Since he can make any number of three-point shots between <math>0</math> and <math>5</math> inclusive, the number of different point totals is <math>6 \Rightarrow E</math>.
===Solution 2===
Stars and bars can also be utilized to solve this problem. Since we need to decide what number of 2's and 3's are scored, and there are a total of 5 shots. It can be written like such: _ _ _ | _ _. Solving this, we get <math>6 \Rightarrow E</math>.


==See Also==
==See Also==
{{AMC12 box|year=2008|ab=B|before=First question|num-a=2}}
{{AMC12 box|year=2008|ab=B|before=First question|num-a=2}}
{{MAA Notice}}
{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 15:02, 19 August 2017

Problem

A basketball player made $5$ baskets during a game. Each basket was worth either $2$ or $3$ points. How many different numbers could represent the total points scored by the player?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 2 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 3 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 4 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 5 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 6$

Solution 1

If the basketball player makes $x$ three-point shots and $5-x$ two-point shots, he scores $3x+2(5-x)=10+x$ points. Clearly every value of $x$ yields a different number of total points. Since he can make any number of three-point shots between $0$ and $5$ inclusive, the number of different point totals is $6 \Rightarrow E$.

Solution 2

Stars and bars can also be utilized to solve this problem. Since we need to decide what number of 2's and 3's are scored, and there are a total of 5 shots. It can be written like such: _ _ _ | _ _. Solving this, we get $6 \Rightarrow E$.

See Also

2008 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
First question
Followed by
Problem 2
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 AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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