Amc8 V4
Amc8 V4
Amc8 V4
(AMC 8)
Preparation
Volume 4
http://www.mymathcounts.com/index.php
The American Mathematics Competitions 8 is a 25-question multiple-choice
contest for students in the sixth through eighth grade. Accelerated fourth and fifth
graders can also take part. The AMC 8 is administered in schools in November.
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) publishes the Achievement
Roll list recognizing students in 6th grade and below who scored 15 or above, and
the Honor Roll list recognizing students who score in the top 5%, and the
Distinguished Honor Roll list recognizing students who score in the top 1%.
This book can be used by 5th to 8th grade students preparing for AMC 8. Each
chapter consists of (1) basic skill and knowledge section with plenty of examples,
(2) about 30 exercise problems, and (3) detailed solutions to all problems.
We would like to thank the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8 and 10)
for their mathematical ideas. Many problems (marked by ☆) in this book are
inspired from these tests. We only cited very few problems directly from these
tests for the purpose of comparison with our own solutions.
We wish to thank the following reviewers for their invaluable solutions, insightful
comments, and suggestions for improvements to this book:
Alex Cheng (UT), Jin Cheng (CA), Felix Cui (NE), Albert Hao (CA), Sameer
Khan (VA), Priyo Majumdar (LA), Aadith Menon, Jeffery Shen (GA), Joy Shi
(MD), William Sun (VA), Yang Wei (TX), Stephan Xie (TX), Samuel Yoon
(VA), and Sophia Zhang (CO).
_________________________________________________________________
Copyright © 2014 by mymathcounts.com
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America
Reproduction of any portion of this book without the written permission of the
authors is strictly prohibited, except as may be expressly permitted by the U.S.
Copyright Act.
ISBN-13: 978-1501040566
ISBN-10: 1501040561
Please contact [email protected] for suggestions, corrections, or
clarifications.
Table of Contents
Chapter 20 Remainder 31
Chapter 22 Functions 71
Index 161
This page is intentionally left blank.
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
In this lecture, we learn how to solve the following types of problems using
unconventional signs for the written notation of mathematical notions and
reasoning: additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, exponents, and
radicals.
Division of fractions
am an = am + n am + n = am an
(am)n = amn (ab)n = anbn
m m
am a a am
( m m
b b b b
Properties of radicals
1
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
a a
(a > 0, and b > 0)
b b
a
m
m
n
am n
an
x x
x y yx
x x
xy x y , and y 0.
y y
Square binomial
( x y)2 x2 2 xy y 2
( x y)2 x 2 2 xy y 2
x 2 y 2 x y x y
Number of divisors
2
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
n 1 2 3 4 Period
2n 2 4 8 6 4
3n 3 9 7 1 4
4n 4 6 2
5n 5 1
6n 6 1
7n 7 9 3 1 4
8n 8 4 2 6 4
9n 9 1 2
Pythagorean triples
(3, 4, 5 ) (5, 12, 13) (8, 15, 17) (7, 24, 25)
(20, 21, 29) (12, 35, 37) ( 9, 40, 41) (28, 45, 53)
(11, 60, 61) (16, 63, 65) (33, 56, 65) (48, 55, 73)
(13, 84, 85) (36, 77, 85) (39, 80, 89) (65, 72, 97)
3
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
2. PROBLEMS SOLVING
2. 1. Additions
☆Example 1. For any positive integer n, define 6 n to be the sum of the
positive factors of n. For example, 6 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 = 12. Find 18 .
(A) 39 (B) 40 (C) 48 (D) 56 (E) 60
Solution: (D).
Method 1:
First calculate 18 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 9 + 18 = 39.
39 = 1 + 3 + 13 + 39 = 56.
Method 2:
18 = 32 × 2.
The sum of the positive factors of 18 is (32 + 31 + 30)(21 + 20) = 13 × 3 = 39.
The sum of the positive factors of 39 is (31+ 30 )(131 +130) = 56.
18 = 56.
Example 2. For the positive integer n, let <n> denote the sum of all the
positive divisors of n with the exception of n itself. For example, <4> = 1 + 2 = 3
and <12> = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 16. What is <<<28>>>?
(A) 28 (B) 11 (C) 21 (D) 6 (E) 3
Solution: (A).
Method 1:
First calculate <28> = 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14 = 28.
As a consequence, we also have <<<28>>> = 28.
Method 2:
28 = 22 × 7.
The sum of all the positive divisors of 28 is (22 + 21 + 20)( 71 + 70) = 7 × 8 = 56.
so <28>= 56 – 28 = 28.
As a consequence, we also have <<<28>>> = 28.
4
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Note: A positive integer whose divisors other than itself add up to that positive
integer is called a perfect number. The two smallest perfect numbers are 6 and 28.
Example 3. Let ♣(x) denote the sum of the digits of the positive integer x. For
example, ♣ (8) = 8 and ♣ (123) = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. For how many two-digit values of
x is ♣ (x) = 12?
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 9 (E) 7
Solution: E.
Since x ≤ 99, there are 7 values of x for which ♣ (x) = 12:
93, 39; 84, 48; 75, 57; and 66.
Solution: B.
3 2 = 32 + 3 × 2 – 22 = 9 + 6 – 4 = 11.
(3 2) 13 = 11 13 = 112 + 11 × 13 – 132 = 95.
Example 5. If a △ b = (a + b) + ab + b, what is (5 △ 7) △ 3?
(A) 54 (B) 57 (C) 219 (D) 222 (E) 232
Solution: D.
5 △ 7 = (5 + 7) + 5 × 7 + 7 = 54.
54 △ 3 = (54 + 3) + 54 × 3 + 3 = 222.
Example 6. For all real numbers a and b, where b 0, the operation ★is defined
a 2 b2
as a ★ b = . Compute the following, and express your answer as a
b3
common fraction: (1★2)2/(2★1).
1 1 125 5 25
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
8 5 64 64 64
5
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Solution: D.
12 22 5 25
1★2 = (1★2)2
23 8 64
22 12
2★1= 5.
13
25 5
(1★2)2/(2★1) /5= .
64 64
Solution: C.
a ▽ b = a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2.
3 ▽ 2 = (3 + 2)2 = 25.
25 ▽ 5 = (25 + 5)2 = 900.
2. 2. Subtractions
Solution: C.
By the definition we have (h h) h 3 h .
h (h h) h (h3 h ) h3 (h3 h) h .
Solution: B.
3⊕4 = 32 – 3 × 4 – 42 = – 19.
6
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
4⊕3 = 42 – 4 × 3 – 32 = – 5.
(3⊕4) ⋈ (4⊕3) = (– 19) ⋈ (– 5) = 2[– 19 – (– 5)] = 2 × (– 14) = – 28.
Example 10. If for positive integers a and b, ab ab a b , find the value of a
+ b in the equation ab 6 .
(A) 9 (B) 10 (C) 8 (D) 15 (E) 12
Solution: B.
ab 6 ab a b 6 (a 1)(b 1) 7 .
We have
a 1 1 (1)
and b 1 7 (2)
(1) + (2): a + b = 10.
Note that we can have a 1 7 and b 1 1 with the same answer.
Solution: D.
4 △ 3 = 2 × 4 – 3 × 3 = – 1.
5 △ 3 = 2 × 5 – 3 × 3 = 1.
((4 △ 3) △ (5 △ 3)) = (– 1) △ (1) = 2 × (– 1) – 3 × 1 = 5.
Solution: D.
2 ✦ 1 = 23 – 12 = 8 – 1 = 7.
4 ✦ (2 ✦ 1) = 4 ✦ (7) = 43 – 72 = 64 – 49 = 15.
7
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Solution: A.
!x !6
=
!( x 1) !(6 1)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
6!1 61
1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6!
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
5!1 1
1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5!
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
1
1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 2 6 24 120 30
1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 53
1 .
1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 30 720 144
53
6
!6 144 265 .
!(6 1) 11 44
30
Solution: E.
3✿= 32 – 1 = 8
8
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
4✿= 42 – 1 = 15
2. 3. Multiplications
5!
Example 15. If 4! means 4 ∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1, what is the value of ?
3!
(A) 20 (B) 40 (C) 30 (D) 60 (E) 80
Solution: A.
5! 5 4 3!
= 5 4 20 .
3! 3!
Solution: B.
2 ★ 3 = (2 + 1)(3 + 1) = 12.
(2 ★ 3) ★ 4 = 12 ★ 4 = (12 + 1)(4 + 1) = 65.
Example 17. Two binary operations are defined by the rules a ✬ b = a3 – b3 and a
Solution: E.
2 ✬ 3 = 23 – 33 = 19.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Solution: D.
6 * 8 = 6 × 8 + 1 = 49.
3 * 5 = 3 × 5 + 1 = 16.
[(6 * 8) + (3 * 5)] = 49 + 16 = 65
4 * [(6 * 8) + (3 * 5)] = 4 * 65 = 4 × 65 + 1 = 261.
Solution: D.
6 ★ 8 = 6 + 8 – 1 = 13
3 ☆ 5 = 3 × 5 – 1 = 14
(6 ★ 8)★(3 ☆ 5) = 13★ 14 = 13 + 14 – 1 = 26.
4 ☆[(6 ★ 8)★(3 ☆ 5)] = 4 ☆ 26 = 4 × 26 – 1 = 103.
2. 4. Divisions
Example 20. For each pair of real numbers a ≠ b, define the operation as
ab
( a b) . What is the value of ((1 2) 4) ?
ab
(A) 2/3 (B) 1/7 (C) 0 (D) 1/2 (E) This value is not defined.
Solution: B.
1 2
First we have (1 2) 3 .
1 2
3 4 1
Then ((1 2) 4) (3 4) .
3 4 7
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
6@3
Example 21. Define a @ b ab b2 and a# b a b ab2 . What is ?
6#3
(A) 1/5 (B) 1/4 (C) 1/8 (D) 1/4 (E) 1/2
Solution: A.
We have 6 @ 3 6 3 32 9 and 6#3 6 3 6 32 45 .
6@3 9 1
Therefore = .
6#3 45 5
abc
Example 22. For the nonzero numbers a, b, and c, define (a, b, c) .
abc
Find (2, 5, 8).
(A) 16/3 (B) 5 (C) 15/2 (D) 6 (E) 24
Solution: A.
2 5 8 80 16
(2,5,8) .
2 5 8 15 3
ab
Example 23. Express 3 * (4 * 5) as a common fraction given a * b = .
ab
20 60 20 47
(A) (B) 1 (C) (D) (E)
9 47 47 60
Solution: C.
4 5 20
4*5= .
45 9
20 60
3
20 9 9 60 .
3 * (4 * 5) = 3 * =
9 20 47 47
3
9 9
11
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
( a b)
Example 24. If a ✽ b = , compute (3 ✽ 1) ✽ 2.
b
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 1 (E) 8
Solution: A.
(3 1) (4 2)
3✽1= 4 (3 ✽ 1) ✽ 2 = 4 ✽ 2 = 3.
1 2
1 1
( )
Example 25. If a ✫ b = b a , express 5 ✫ 7 as a common fraction.
( a b)
35 1 2 4 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
3 35 35 35 35
Solution: B.
1 1 2
( )
1
5 ✫ 7 = 7 5 35 .
(5 7) 2 35
ab
Example 26. Given a * b = , find (5 * 6) * 1.
a b
30 11 41 11 985
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
11 30 11 41 341
Solution: C.
5 6 11
5*6=
5 6 30
11 41
1
11 41
* 1 = 30 30 .
30 11 11 11
1
30 30
12
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
ab
Example 27. If a ✪ b is defined as , what is the value of 6 ✪(3✪5)?
2
(A) 1 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 10 (E) 5
Solution: E
35 64
3✪5 = 4 and 6 ✪(3✪5) = 6 ✪(4) = 5.
2 2
2. 5. Exponents
Solution: (A).
1
2 ( )2
1 1 1
We have (1 2) 4 = 4 4 2 and
2 2 4 16
22 12
1 (2 4)= 1 ( ) 1 1 1 .
4 1
1 15
Therefore [(1 2) 4] [1 (2 4)] 1 .
16 16
Solution: A.
4 ✪ 10 = (410)4 = 440
The pattern for the last digit of 4n is 4, 6, 4, 6, etc.
When the exponent 40 is divided by 2, the remainder is 0. Therefore, the last digit
of 440 is the same as the last digit of 42. So the last digit is 6.
13
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Example 30. If a b means 3a – 2b, then what value is associated with 4(2
3)?
49 47
(A) (B) 8 (C) 16 (D) (E) – 2
4 4
Solution: D.
2 3 = 3 2 – 23 = 6 – 8 = – 2.
1 47
4 (2 3) = 4 (– 2) = 3 4 – (2)– 2 = 12 – 2
= .
2 4
Solution: C.
4 ★ 3 = 43 + 34 = 145
3 ★ 4 = 34 + 43 = 145
(4 ★ 3) (3 ★ 4) = 145 145 = 1.
Example 32. For natural numbers a and b, a △ b = ba + 2ab. Find the value of (2
△ 3) – (3 △ 2).
(A) 1 (B) 41 (C) 37 (D) 12 (E) 0
Solution: A.
2 △ 3 = 32 + 2 2 3 = 9 + 12 = 21.
3 △ 2 = 23 + 2 2 3 = 8 + 12 = 20.
(2 △ 3) – (3 △ 2) = 21 – 20 = 1.
Solution: E.
14
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
4 ✇ 2 = 42 4 + 22 = 16 – 4 + 4 = 16
3 ✇ 1 = 3 1 3 + 11 = 3 – 3 + 1 = 1
(4 ✇ 2) (3 ✇ 1) = 16 – 1 = 15.
Solution: C.
7 ⊕ 5 = (75)7 = 735.
We know that
n 1 2 3 4 Period
7n 7 9 3 1 4
35 = 4 8 + 3.
735 has the same last digit as 73. The answer is 3.
ab 3a b
Example 35. Given a △ b = a
, and a □ b = , find the common fraction
b ab
equivalent to (2△3)□(2△1).
3 24 8 8 16
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
8 9 9 3 9
Solution: A.
23 8 21
2△3 = , 2△1 = 2
32 9 12
8
3 2
8 9 3
(2△3)□(2△1) = □ 2 = .
9 8 8
2
9
15
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
2.6. Radicals
Example 36. For real numbers a and b, define ab a 2 b2 . What is the
value of (815)((15)(8)) ?
(A) 0 (B) 13/2 (C) 15 (D) 17 2 (E) 26
Solution: D.
It follows from the definition that
(815)((15)(8)) = 82 152 (15)2 (8)2 1717 172 172 17 2 .
Example 37. Let ▽ be defined as ▽(a, b) = a 2 b 2 , for all real numbers a and
b. Find ▽ (▽ (▽(12, 5), 84), 132).
(A) 97 (B) 117 (C) 137 (D) 157 (E) 187
Solution: D.
▽(12, 5) = 122 52 13 .
▽ (▽(12, 5), 84) = ▽ (13, 84) = 132 842 85 .
▽ (▽ (▽(12, 5), 84), 132) = ▽ (85, 132) = 852 1322 157 .
Example 38. Let ✫ be defined as ✫(a, b) = a 2 b 2 , for all real numbers a and
b. Find ✫(✫(16, 63), ✫(33, 56)) and express in simplest radical form.
(A) 65 (B) 65 2 (C) 63 2 (D) 130 (E) 56 2
Solution: B.
✫(16, 63) = 162 632 65
16
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
2 3
Example 39. If x ♡ y = xy , find the value of (4 ♡ 4) ♡ 3. Express your
x 2
answer as a common fraction.
13 23
(A) (B) 3 (C) (D) 17 (E) 7
6 6
Solution: A.
2 3 1 3
4♡4= 4 4 = 4 4 1 3
4 2 2 2
2 3 5 13
(4 ♡ 4) ♡ 3 = 3♡ 3 = 3 3 = 3 .
3 2 6 6
17
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
3. PROBLEMS
Problem 1. Let the operations △ and □ be defined for all real numbers a and b
as follows:
a △b = a + 3b
a □ b = a + 4b
If 4 △ (5y) = (5y) □ 4, what is the value of y?
(A) 6/5 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3/5 (E) 3/5
Problem 2. For the positive integer n, let <n> denote the sum of all the positive
divisors of n with the exception of n itself. For example, <4> = 1 + 2 = 3 and
<12> = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 16. What is <<<18>>>?
(A) 1 (B) 11 (C) 21 (D) 6 (E) 3
A B
Problem 3. If A ✇ B = , what is the value of (3 ✇ 2) (2 ✇ 3)?
B A
4 3 12
(A) (B) (C) 0 (D) 1 (E)
3 4 13
1 1
Problem 5. If a ◇ b = , for what decimal value of a is a ◇ 0.2 = 10?
a b
1 7 1
(A) (B) (C) 0 (D) 1 (E)
5 10 2
18
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Problem 12. Suppose that a ✪ b = ab – b for all integers a and b. What is the
value of 3 ✪(2)?
(A) 4 (B) 5 (C) 8 (D) 4 (E) 7
8!
Problem 16. If 4! means 4 ∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1, express in simplest form.
6!2!2!
(A) 40320 (B) 56 (C) 28 (D) 14 (E) 120
19
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
a c 5 x
Problem 18. For all values a, b, c, and d, ab cd . If 8,
d b 2 6
what is x?
(A) 14 (B) 11 (C) 14 (D) 15 (E) 11
x 3 3
Problem 20. If x◎y = xy , express ◎ as a common fraction.
y 8 4
5 9 1 32 25
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
32 32 2 9 32
(a 2 b 2 )
Problem 21. Given a ◇ b = , express 6 ◇ 2 as a common fraction.
ab
8 7 1 1 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
3 3 2 3 8
ab
Problem 22. Given the operations: a ☆ b = 2a – b and a ★ b = , evaluate:
b
6 ★∣3☆9∣.
1 1
(A) (B) 3 (C) (D) 4 (E) – 3
3 4
a 2 b2
Problem 23. Evaluate 3 ❉ 4 if a ❉ b = . Express your answer as a
ab
common fraction.
20
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
5 25 9 16
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 1
7 7 7 7
8a 2b
Problem 24. The operation * is defined to be a * b = . Express 3 * (3 * 3)
2ab
as a common fraction.
31 31 3 11
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 1
3 9 11 3
ab
Problem 25. If abc , what is the value of 123231312 ?
c
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 1 (E) 5
2A B
Problem 26. If A ✫ B = , what is the value of (3 ✫ 4) ✫ 5? Express your
2
answer as a common fraction.
3 3 2 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 1
2 2 3 3
ab
Problem 27. If a ☆ b = , what is the value of (7 ☆ 9)☆(30 ☆ 17)?
2
1 47 3 11 3
(A) 15 (B) (C) 15 (D) (E) 14
4 2 4 41 4
ab
Problem 28. Given a ★ b = , find (7★9)★12.
2
(A) 10 (B) 8 (C) 20 (D) 96 (E) 6
Problem 29. If a △ b = (ab)a, find 5△2. Express the answer as a whole number.
(A) 100,000 (B) 50,000 (C) 20,000 (D) 96,000 (E) 6,000
21
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
a
Problem 30. If a ★ b = a b , then what value is associated with 2 ★ 3?
(A) 64 (B) 512 (C) 8 (D) 128 (E) 1024
– (3 ✪ 2)?
(A) – 24 (B) 20 (C) 22 (D) 22 (E) 24
Problem 34. Given the a ✦ b = ab – ba, and a ▽ b = (a + b)(a – b), what is the
value of a ✦ (a ▽ b) if a = 3 and b = 2?
(A) 118 (B) 15 (C) 243 (D) 125 (E) 115
1 1
Problem 36. If a ♣ b = ( )b ( ) a , find 2 ♣ 3.
a b
17 2 1 1 5
(A) (B) (C) 1 (D) (E)
72 17 9 8 6
1
Problem 37. If a ⟡ b = a 2 b 2 , find the value of (2 ) ⟡ 6 and express the
2
result as a common fraction.
22
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
13 17 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) 13 (E) 61
2 2 2
Problem 38. Let ▽ be defined as ▽(a, b) = a 2 b 2 , for all real numbers a and
b. Find ▽ (▽(8, 5), 144).
(A) 85 (B) 125 (C) 135 (D) 145 (E) 165
23
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
4. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: A.
4 △ (5y) = 4 + 3 × 5y (1)
(5y) □ 4= 5y + 4 × 4 (2)
We are given that (1) = (2). So 4 + 3 × 5y = 5y + 4 × 4 4 + 15y = 5y +
16 10y = 12 y = 12/10 = 6/5.
★Problem 2. Solution: A.
Method 1:
The positive divisors of 18, other than 18, are 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9, so <18> = 1 + 2 +
3 + 6 + 9 = 21. <21> = 1 + 3 + 7 = 11. <11> = 1.
Problem 3. Solution: 0.
3 2 13
(3 ✇ 2) = .
2 3 6
2 3 13
(2 ✇ 3) = .
3 2 6
The answer is (3 ✇ 2) (2 ✇ 3) = 0.
Problem 4. Solution: C.
1☆2 = 13 + 2 = 3.
3☆3 = 33 + 3 = 27 + 3 = 30.
Problem 5. Solution: A.
1 1 1 1 1
a ◇ 0.2 = 10 = 10 5 = 10 =5 a= .
a 0.2 a a 5
Problem 6. Solution: A.
5 ✇ 3= (52 + 3) ÷ 2 = 14.
24
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
Problem 7. Solution: E
4 ⍉ 3 = 42 + 3 = 19.
★Problem 8. Solution: C.
By the definition we have h (h h) h (h3 h) h3 (h3 h) h .
Problem 9. Solution: C
3 ⍉ 2 = 32 – 22 = (3 – 2) (3 + 2) = 5.
(3 ⍉ 2) ⍉ 4 = 5 ⍉ 4 = 52 – 42 = (5 – 4) (5 + 4) = 9.
25
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
3 ▼ 1 = 3 × 3 – 12 = 8.
2 ▼ (3 ▼ 1) = 2 ▼ 8 = 3 × 2 – 82 = –58.
26
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
63
6 ★∣3☆9∣=6 ★ 3 = 3.
3
27
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
30 17 47
30 ☆ 17 = .
2 2
47 63
8
47 2 2 63 15 3 .
(7 ☆ 9)☆(30 ☆ 17) = 8☆ =
2 2 2 4 4
3 ✪ 2 = 2 3 – 23 = 6 – 8 = – 2.
(5 ✪ 2) – (3 ✪ 2) = –22 – (– 2) = – 22 + 2 = – 20.
3 ✿ 2 = 23 2 3 + 32 = 8 – 6 + 9 = 11.
(2 ✿ 3) (3 ✿ 2) = 11 11 = 121.
28
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
36 ✫ 77 = 362 772 85
29
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 19 Special Symbols and Operations
30
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
Solution: B.
The smallest value of x is 5 + 3 = 8. The next possible value is 8 + 5 = 13. The
third possible value is 13 + 5 = 18. The answer is 8 + 13 + 18 = 39.
Solution: D.
The smallest value of 20 + x is 11 + 7 = 18. The next possible value is 18 + 11 =
29. So the smallest value of x is 29 – 20 = 9.
Theorem 1.
There exists a unique pair (q, r) such that
a qb r (1.1)
a r
or q (1.2)
b b
where a and b are integers, b > 0, q is the quotient, and r is the remainder with
0r b.
31
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
a
If r = 0, q , which can be written as a qb . This is equivalent to saying that a
b
is divisible by b, ba, and b divides a.
Example 3. When 534 + x is divided by 32, the quotient is 16 and the remainder
is 30. Find x.
(A) 8 (B) 13 (C) 24 (D) 25 (E) 16
Solution: A.
By (1.1), we have 534 + x = 32 × 16 + 30 x = 8.
Any integer can be classified into two residue classes when divided by 2:
2k (remainder is 0)
2k + 1 (remainder is 1)
k is an integer.
Solution: B.
We have 33 = x ∙ q + 5 (x > 5).
Or 33 – 5 = x ∙ q 28 = x ∙ q.
2
Since 28 = 2 7, the number of factors of 28 is (2 + 1) (1 + 1) = 6.
32
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Since x > 5, we need to exclude 1, 2, and 4. There are 6 – 3 = 3 such numbers (7,
14, and 28).
Theorem 3.
The largest number which divides any two given numbers leaving the same
remainder equals the difference of the two numbers.
Solution: C.
By the theorem 3, the largest N = 30 – 17 = 13
Theorem 4.
If ab, ac, then a (jb+kc), and j, k are any integers.
Solution: C.
We know that N divides both (17 – r) and (30 – 2r).
By the Theorem 4, N also divides any linear combination of them. That is, N
divides 2(17 – r) – (30 – 2r) = 4. The greatest N is then 4.
Solution: E.
Let the whole number be x.
By (1.1), we have: 161 = 14x + 7 x = 11.
33
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Example 8. When the three integers 618, 343, and 277 are divided by a positive
integer, d, where d > 1, the remainders are the same. What is the smallest possible
value of d?
(A) 5 (B) 11 (C) 25 (D) 55 (E) 16
Solution: B.
Method 1:
By the Theorem (3), d should be a common factor of 343 277 = 66 = 2 3 11
and 618 343 = 275 = 5 5 11. So d is 11.
Method 2:
Let the remainder be r. We can write the following algebraic forms where t, w,
and z are positive integers:
618 = dt + r (1)
343 = dw + r (2)
277 = dz + r (3)
(1) – (2) 275 = d(t – w)
(2) – (3) 66 = d(w – z)
(1) – (3) 341 = d(t – z)
Adding all three equations together yields 2dt = 682 dt = 341 = 11 31. The
smallest value for d is 11.
Example 9. When 732 is divided by a natural number x, the remainder is 12. How
many values of x are there?
(A) 20 (B) 30 (C) 40 (D) 50 (E) 60
Solution: A.
Because the remainder when 732 is divided by x is 12, we can subtract 12 from
732 to find a number that leaves a remainder of 0 when divided by 12. 732 – 12 =
720 and 720 = 24 32 5.
34
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Solution: C.
Let the least number be a. a – 1 will be divisible by 2, 3, 4, or 5, that is, divisible
by LCM (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) = 60.
The least number of a – 1 is 60. a will be 60 + 1 = 61.
Example 11. What is the smallest whole number such that if it is divided by 2, 3
and 4, the remainders will be 1, 2 and 3, respectively?
(A) 21 (B) 31 (C) 12 (D) 11 (E) 10
Solution: D.
Let the number be x.
By (1.1), we have:
x = 2q1 + 1 (1)
x = 3q2 + 2 (2)
x = 4q3 + 3 (3)
35
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Solution: B.
Let the number be x.
By (1.1), we have:
x = 8q1 2 (1)
x = 9q2 3 (2)
Therefore we know that x 6 is divisible by LCM (8, 9) = 72. Thus the value of x
6 can be 72, 144, 216,…
We know that x is between 100 and 200. So x 6 = 144
is 72 and the smallest value of x is 144 + 6 = 150.
Solution: A.
Method 1:
8x 7 y 5(2 x 5 y) 2( x 9 y) .
Since x + 9y is divisible by 5, the remainder when 8x + 7y is divided by 5 is 0.
Method 2:
Let x = 1 and y = 1. Therefore x + 9y = 10 which is divisible by 5.
8x + 7y = 8 1 + 7 1 = 15 which is also divisible by 5.
The remainder when 8x + 7y is divided by 5 is 0.
36
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Solution: C.
n = 7q + 2 (1)
Multiply both sides by 9:
9n = 9(7q + 2) = 9 × 7q + 18 = 9 × 7q + 7 + 7 + 4 = 7(9q + 2) + 4
When 9n is divided by 7, the new quotient is (9q + 2) and the remainder is 4.
Solution: D.
a = q1 5 + 1 (1)
b = q2 5 + 4 (2)
Multiplying (1) by 3:
3a = q1 5 3 + 3 (3)
(3) – (2): 3a – b = q1 5 3 – (q2 5 + 4) = (q1 – q2) 5 – 1 = (q1 – q2 – 1) 5 +
5 – 1 = (q1 – q2 – 1) 5 + 4.
Example 16. What day of the week will be 5000 days from Sunday?
(A) Monday (B) Tuesday (C) Wednesday (D) Thursday (E) Friday
Solution: B.
5000 = 714 7 + 2.
On the 5000 – 2 = 4998th day, it will be a Sunday. Two days from Sunday is a
Tuesday.
Example 17. If the first day of a month is Monday, what day of the week is the
twenty-third day?
(A) Monday (B) Tuesday (C) Wednesday (D) Thursday (E) Friday
Solution: B.
37
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Example 18. If March 17 falls on a Wednesday, on what day of the week will
April 4 of the same year fall?
(A) Monday (B) Tuesday (C) Wednesday (D) Saturday (E) Sunday
Solution: E.
Wed Thurs Fri Sat. Sun Mon Tues
17
24
31 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 4
Example 19. Kim’s birthday was 200 days ago. Today is Wednesday. On what
day of the week did his birthday fall?
(A) Monday (B) Tuesday (C) Wednesday (D) Saturday (E) Sunday
Solution: D.
200 = 7 28 + 1. The remainder is 4. It is 4 days before today so it is a Tuesday.
Example 20. Wendy noticed when she stacked her quarters in piles of 5 she had
3 left over and when she stacked them in piles of 7 she had 5 left over. If she has
less than ten dollars worth of quarters, how many quarters does she have?
(A) 11 (B) 22 (C) 33 (D) 44 (E) 55
Solution: C.
Let the number of quarters be x.
38
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
By (1.1), we have:
x = 5q1 + 3 (1)
x = 7q2 + 5 (2)
Adding 2 to both sides of (1) and (2):
x + 2 = 5q1 + 5 = 5(q1 + 1) (4)
x + 2 = 7q2 + 7 = 7(q2 + 1) (5)
Therefore we know that x + 2 is divisible by LCM (5, 7) = 35. Thus the value of x
+ 2 can be 35, 70, 105,…The number of quarters can be: 33, 68, 103,…Since we
know that the number is less than $10, that is, less than 40 quarters, so 33 is the
answer.
Example 21. Natasha has more than $1 but less than $10 worth of dimes. When
she puts her dimes in stacks of 3, she has 1 left over. When she puts them in
stacks of 4, she has 1 left over. When she puts them in stacks of 5, she also has 1
left over. How many dimes does Natasha have?
(A) 60 (B) 61 (C) 62 (D) 54 (E) 66
Solution: B.
Let the number of dimes be x.
By (1.1), we have:
x = 3q1 + 1 (1)
x = 4q2 + 1 (2)
x = 5q2 + 1 (3)
Subtracting 1 from each side of (1), (2), and (3):
x – 1 = 3q1 + 1 – 1 = 3q1 (4)
x – 1 = 4q2 + 1 – 1 = 4q2 (5)
x – 1 = 5q2 + 1 – 1 = 5q2 (5)
Therefore we know that x – 1 is divisible by LCM (3, 4, 5) = 60. Thus the value
of x – 1 can be 60, 120, 180,…The number of dimes can be: 61, 121, 181,…Since
we know that the number is less than 100, so 61 is the answer.
3. MORE EXMAPLES
39
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Solution: (E).
2p + 5 is odd and could be 3 + 7 + 7 = 17, 31, 15 and p could be 6, 13, 20. E is
the only choice.
Solution: A.
Let the divisor be x and the remainder be r. By (1.1), we have: 1270 = 74x + 12
x = 17.
Example 24. If July 1 falls on a Monday, then August 2 of the same year falls on
what day of the week?(July has 31 days.)
(A) Tuesday (B) Wednesday (C) Thursday (D) Friday (E) Saturday
Solution: D
Method 1: There are 31 + 2 = 33 days from July 1 to August 3. 33 = 4 7 + 5.
The remainder is 5 so it is a Friday.
Solution: C.
n should be greater than 1. 1991 – 2 = 1989 is divisible by n, as well as 1769 – 1 =
1768.
Therefore n is a factor of the greatest common multiple of 1989 and 1768. (1989,
1768) = 13 × 17. So the smallest value of n is 13.
40
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Example 26. When two different numbers are divided by 7, remainders of 2 and
3, respectively, are left. What is the remainder when the sum of these two
numbers is divided by 7?
(A) 6 (B) 5 (C) 4 (D) 3 (E) 2
Solution: B.
Let the two numbers be a and b.
a = q1 7 + 2 (1)
b = q2 7 + 3 (2)
(1) + (2): a + b = (q1 q1) 7 + 5.
The remainder is 5 when the sum of these two numbers is divided by 7.
Example 27. Amy has fewer than 100 computer disks. When she stacks them by
elevens, ten are left over. When she stacks them by tens, seven are left over, and
three are left over when she stacks them by sixes. How many disks does she have?
(A) 30 (B) 60 (C) 57 (D) 77 (E) 87
Solution: E.
By (1.1), we have
x = 11q1 + 10 (1)
x = 10q2 + 7 (2)
x = 6q3 + 3 (3)
Adding 3 to both sides of (2) and (3), we have
x + 3 = 10q2 + 10 = 10(q2 + 1) (4)
x + 3 = 6q2 + 6 = 6(q3 + 1) (5)
(4) and (5) mean that x + 3 is divisible by both 6 and 10, or divisible by the LCM
(6, 10) = 30.
Since x is less than 100, x + 3 could be 30, 60, 90 and x could be 27, 57, 87.
Among them, 87 has a remainder of 3 when divided by 11.
41
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
4. PROBLEMS
Problem 7. What is the smallest number that gives a remainder of 1 when divided
by 4, a remainder of 2 when divided by 5, and a remainder of 3 when divided by
6?
(A) 60 (B) 59 (C) 58 (D) 57 (E) 56
42
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Problem 9. When two different numbers are divided by 11, remainders of 7 and
9, respectively, are left. What is the remainder when the sum of these two
numbers is divided by 11?
(A) 10 (B) 8 (C) 5 (D) 4 (E) 6
Problem 10. When Rachel divides her favorite number by 7, she gets a remainder
of 5. What will the remainder be if she multiplies her favorite number by 5 and
then divides by 7?
(A) 1 (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 4 (E) 2
Problem 13. Find two integers between 1 and 100 such that for each:
a) if you divide by 4, the remainder is 3;
b) if you divide by 3, the remainder is 1; and
c) if you divide by 5, the remainder is 1.
(A) (11, 71) (B) (31, 91) (C) (21, 51) (D) (16, 31) (E) (46, 61)
Problem 14. Susan’s March birthday is on a Saturday this year, but she doesn’t
celebrate it until 100 days later. On what day of the week will she celebrate?
(A) Monday (B) Tuesday (C) Wednesday (D) Saturday (E) Sunday
43
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Problem 15. Today is a Saturday in March. What day of the week will it be one
year from today since next year is not a leap year?
(A) Monday (B) Tuesday (C) Wednesday (D) Saturday (E) Sunday
Problem 16. What is the least positive integer value of p such that 7p divided by
11 has a remainder of 1?
(A) 10 (B) 9 (C) 8 (D) 7 (E) 6
Problem 17. Several thieves found a package containing some dollar bills. They
found that when they tried to give $3 to each thug, they ran out of money and one
thug received nothing. When each thug took $2, they had $1 left over. What is the
least possible number of dollars if the money is more than $2000?
(A) $2001 (B) $2014 (C) $2015 (D) $2016 (E) $2017
Problem 18. When Joyce counts the pennies in her bank by fives, she has one left
over. When she counts them by threes, there are two left over. What is the least
possible number of pennies in the bank?
(A) 10 (B) 11 (C) 12 (D) 17 (E) 16
Problem 19. The number of students in Teresa’s graduating class is more than 50
and fewer than 100 and is 1 less than a multiple of 3, 2 less than a multiple of 4,
and 3 less than a multiple of 5. How many students are in Teresa’s graduating
class?
(A) 60 (B) 69 (C) 80 (D) 71 (E) 62
Problem 20. I have some tables and chairs. If I place two chairs at each table, I
have one extra chair. If I place three chairs at each table, I have one table with no
chairs. What is the sum of the number of tables and the number of chairs?
(A) 10 (B) 11 (C) 12 (D) 13 (E) 16
Problem 21. Find the smallest positive integer that gives a remainder of 5 when
divided by 6, a remainder of 6 when divided by 7, and a remainder of 7 when
divided by 8.
(A) 167 (B) 166 (C) 168 (D) 169 (E) 171
Problem 22. When 51 is divided by the positive integer k, the remainder is 3. For
how many different values of k is this true?
44
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
(A) Ten (B) Eight (C) Seven (D) Four (E) Five
Problem 23. Find the greatest integer that will divide 2613, 2243, 1503, and 985
and leave the same remainder.
(A) 70 (B) 74 (C) 78 (D) 77 (E) 76
Problem 26. When 73, 216, and 227 are divided by a positive integer b, the
remainders are the same. What is the remainder when 108 is divided by b?
(A) 10 (B) 9 (C) 8 (D) 7 (E) 6
Problem 27. Both m and n are integers. 5m + 3n is divisible by 11. What is the
remainder when 9m + n is divided by 11?
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 4 (D) 7 (E) 9
45
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
5. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: A
We also know that the remainder must be less than the divisor by the Theorem 2.
So the remainder must be less than 4.
Problem 2. Solution: B.
x can be 7 + 5 = 12. 12 + 29 = 41. The remainder is 1 when 41 is divided by 5.
Problem 3. Solution: D.
By (1.1), we have:
m=s–8 (1)
2m = s + 8 (2)
(1) 2 – (2): s = 24.
Problem 4. Solution: D.
By (1.1), we have:
n = 10q1 + 9 (1)
n = 9q2 + 8 (2)
Adding 1 to both sides of (1), and (2):
n + 1 = 10q1 + 9 + 1 = 10(q1 + 1) (4)
n + 1 = 9q2 + 8 + 1 = 9(q2 + 1) (5)
Therefore we know that n + 1 is divisible by LCM (9, 10) = 90. Thus the smallest
value of n + 1 is 90 and the smallest value of n is 90 – 1 = 89.
Problem 5. Solution: A.
Let the whole number be x.
By (1.1), we have: 214 = 23x + 7 x = 9.
Problem 6. Solution: B.
We have 200 = x ∙ q + 8 (x > 8).
Or 200 – 8 = x ∙ q 192 = x ∙ q.
6
Since 192 = 2 3, the number of factors of 196 is (6 + 1) (1 + 1) = 14.
Since x > 8, we need to exclude 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8.
There are 14 – 6 = 8 such numbers.
Problem 7. Solution: D.
46
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
By (1.1), we have:
x = 4q1 + 1 (1)
x = 5q2 + 2 (2)
x = 6q3 + 3 (3)
Adding 3 to both sides of (1), (2), and (3):
x + 3 = 4q1 + 4 = 4(q1 + 1) (4)
x + 3 = 5q2 + 5 = 5(q2 + 1) (5)
x + 3 = 6q3 + 6 = 6(q3 + 1) (6)
Therefore we know that x + 3 is divisible by LCM (4, 5, 6) = 60. Thus the
smallest value of x + 3 is 60 and the smallest value of x is 60 – 3 = 57.
Problem 8. Solution: B.
x could be 8 + 5 = 13 or 13 + 8 = 21, 29,…. The remainder when x is divided by 4
is 1.
Problem 9. Solution: C.
Let the two numbers be a and b.
a = q1 11 + 7 (1)
b = q2 11 + 9 (2)
(1) + (2): a + b = (q1 q1) 11 + 16 = (q1 q1) 11 + 11 + 5
The remainder is 5 when the sum of these two numbers is divided by 11.
Note: the remainder is always smaller than the divisor.
47
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Therefore we know that K + 6 is divisible by LCM (5, 8) = 40. Thus the smallest
value of K + 6 is 40 and the smallest value of K is 40 – 6 = 34. When 34 is
divided by 11 the remainder is 1 and we are done.
48
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Therefore we know that K – 2 is divisible by LCM (3, 4, 5) = 60. Thus the values
of K – 2 could be 60, 120, …. Since 50 < K < 100, K – 2 = 60 and K = 62.
49
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
50
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 20 Remainders
Method 2:
73 = bq1 + r (1)
216 = bq2 + r (2)
227 = bq3 + r (3)
(3) – (2): 11 = b(q3 – q2)
Since 11 is a prime number, and b is not 1, so b equals 11. 108 = 11 × 9 + 9.
The remainder when 108 is divided by b is 9.
Method 2:
Let m = 1 and n = 2. Therefore 5m + 3n = 11 which is divisible by 11.
Substituting in these values into 9m + n, we get
9m + n = 9 1 + 2 = 11 which is also divisible by 11.
The remainder when 9m + n is divided by 11 is 0.
51
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
1.1. Terms
An element of a sequence is called a term of the sequence, written as a1, a2, a3, …
The sum of the first n terms is expressed as Sn. For example, S12 means the sum of
the first twelve terms.
If any two consecutive terms in a sequence a1, a2, a3, …, an,…, have the same
difference, the sequence is called an arithmetic sequence (or arithmetic
progression).
A finite sequence such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,…, in which each term after the first is
obtained by adding the preceding term by a fixed number, is an example of an
arithmetic sequence.
d an 1 an (1.2.1)
an a1 (n 1)d (1.2.2)
(a a )n
S 1 n (1.2.3)
2
(n 1)d
S na1 n (1.2.4)
2
52
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
If any two consecutive terms in a sequence a1, a2, a3, …, an,…, have the same
ratio, the sequence is called a geometric sequence (or geometric progression).
A finite sequence such as 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, …, in which each term after the first is
obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a fixed number, is an example of a
geometric sequence.
an
q (q ≠ 0,n 2) (1.3.1)
an 1
an a1 q n 1 (a1 q ≠ 0) (1.3.2)
a1 (1 q )
n
Sn (q ≠ 1) (1.3.3)
1 q
a1 an q
Sn (1.3.4)
1 q
Sn = na1 (q = 1) (1.3.5)
d an 1 an (2.1.1)
a a
d m n (2.1.2)
mn
Sm Sn
d
m n (2.1.3)
2 mn
53
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Solution: B.
Method 1:
a7 a3 a4 a3
By formula (2.1.2), we have:
73 43
a7 a3 2a4 2a3 a7 a3 (2a4 2a3 ) a7 2a4 1
d .
73 2(4 3) (7 3) 2(4 3) 2 2
Method 2:
a7 a3 a4 a3 a
By formula (2.1.2), we have: d = d 7 a4 (1)
73 43 4
We are given that a7 2 a4 = 1 a7 = 2 a4 1.
2a 1
Substituting the value of a7 into (1), we get: 4 a4 2 a4 1 = 4 a4
4
1
Therefore a4 = d
2.
54
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Solution: (A)
By formula (2.2.5): a1 + a9 = 2a5. Therefore a5 = 5.
Solution: (B)
Formula (2.2.2) gives us a7 = a3 + 4d and 2a4 = 2(a3 + d).
1
Therefore, a7 2a4 = a3 + 4d 2(a3 + d) = 2d =1 d=
2.
Solution: (D).
We know that a2 + a10 = 2a6, from formula (2.2.5), so a6 = 10.
Solution: B.
From a1 a3 a5 105, we get 3a3 105 a3 35 .
55
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
(a1 an )n
S (2.3.1)
2
(n 1)d
S na1 n (2.3.2)
2
Solution: C.
Method 1:
7(a1 a7 ) 7(a2 a6 ) 7(3 11)
S7 49.
2 2 2
Note that by (2.2.4) we have a1 + a7 = a2 + a6.
Method 2:
a2 a1 d 3 a 1
1 , a7 1 6 2 13. Therefore S7 7(a1 a7 ) 7(1 13) 49.
a6 a1 5d 11 d 2 2 2
Example 7. Find the sum of all counting numbers between 50 and 350 that have 1
as the last digit.
(A) 5050 (B) 5880 (C) 5441 (D) 5552 (E) 5338
Solution: B.
The integers with 1 as the last digit form an arithmetic sequence, where the first
term is a1 = 51, the last term is an = 341, and the common difference is d = 10.
341 51 (n 1) 10 n = 30.
The sum of all counting numbers between 5 and 350 that have 1 as the last digit is
(a1 a30 ) (51 341) 30
S n 5880 .
2 2
56
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
an a1 q n 1 (a1 q ≠ 0) (2.4.1)
nm
an am q (a1 q ≠ 0) (2.4.2)
2
an ank ank (n ≥ k) (2.4.3)
If m + n = p + q, am an a p aq (2.4.4)
2
If m + n = 2t, am an at (2.4.5)
Solution: A.
By (2.4.1), we have:
6q n 1 768 q n 1 128 27 (1)
2 n 5
6q 12288 q 2n 5 2048 211
(q n 1 ) 2
q 2( n 1) 3 211 3
211 (2)
q
( 27 ) 2
Substituting (1) into (2), we have 3
211 q3 23 . Therefore q = 2.
q
1
Example 9. In geometric sequence {an}, if a2 = 4, and a5 , find the general
2
term.
Solution:
1
a2 = 4, a5 .
2
1 1
By (2.4.2), we have a5 a2 q52 q . So an a2 q n 2 4( )n 2 .
2 2
57
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Example 10. If five numbers are inserted between 8 and 5832, the fifth term in
the geometric series formed is:
(A) 648 (B) 832 (C) 1168 (D) 1944 (E) none of these
Solution: A.
Denote the terms in the geometric progression by
a1 8, a2 8r , , a7 8r 6 5832.
r 6 729; r=3 and a5 8r 4 648.
Example 11. The second and fourth terms of a geometric sequence are 2 and 6.
Which of the following is a possible first term?
2 3 3
(A) 3 (B) (C) (D) 3 (E) 3
3 3
Solution: (B).
Let the sequence be denoted a, ar, ar2, ar3, . . . , with ar = 2 and ar3 = 6. Then r2 =
2 3 2 3
3 and r 3 or r 3. Therefore a or a .
3 3
Example 12. By adding the same constant to each of 20, 50, 100 a geometric
progression results. The common ratio is
5 4 3 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
3 3 2 2 3
Solution: (A).
20 a 50 a 5
Let a = the constant: ; a = 25; r .
50 a 100 a 3
Example 13. {an } is a positive geometric sequence. Find the common ratio q if
a2010 8a2007 .
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 8 E. 16.
58
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Solution: A.
a 2010
By (2.4.2), we have q 3 8 q 2
a 2007
3. MORE EXAMPLES
Example 14. The first term in the sequence of numbers 5, 7, 7, …is 5. Each
even-numbered term is 2 more than the previous term and each odd-numbered
term, after the first, is 1 times the previous term. For example, the second term
is 5 + 2 = 7, and the third term is (1) 7. What is the 255th term of the
sequence?
(A) 7 (B) 5 (C) 1 (D) 5 (E) 7
Solution: A.
We see the pattern: 5, 7, 7, 5, 5, 7, 7, 5… It repeats every four terms.
Since 255/ 4 has a remainder of 3, is the 255th term of the sequence is the same as
the third term, which is 7.
Example 15. The first term of a sequence is 3, and every term after the first term
is 3 times the preceding term. How many of the first 100 terms of this sequence
are less than 2000?
(A) 52 (B) 57 (C) 53 (D) 58 (E) 30
Solution: C
3, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 = 2187.
All the negative numbers are less than 1000. So we have 50 of them. For positive
numbers we see that 37 = 2187 which is over 2000. So we have 3 of them (3, 33,
and 35). The answer is 50 + 3 = 53.
Example 16. The first term of the sequence is 1 and the second term is 5, and
each term after the second is 5 times the preceding term. Which of the following
expressions represents the nth term of the sequence?
(A) 5n (B) 5n1 (C) n2 (D) (n – 5)2 (E) 5n.
Solution: B.
We see the pattern: 50, 51, 52, 53, …, 5n - 1.
59
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Example 17. Set A consists of the numbers in the arithmetic sequence 15, 24, 33,
. . . , and set B consist of the numbers in the arithmetic sequence 21, 27, 33, . . . .
What is the sum of the three smallest numbers common to both sets?
(A) 152 (B) 157 (C) 151 (D) 153 (E) 133
Solution: D.
The common difference of the first sequence is 9 and the second is 6. LCM (6, 9)
= 18. Therefore the numbers common to both sets have the difference of 18. The
sum of the five numbers is 33 + (33 + 18) + (33 + 2 18) = 153.
Example 18. The arithmetic sequences 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, . . . and 1, 8, 15,
22, 29, . . . have infinitely many terms in common. Calculate the sum of the first
three common terms.
(A) 171 (B) 175 (C) 177 (D) 178 (E) 170
Solution: A.
The common difference of the first sequence is 4 and the second is 7. LCM (4,7)
= 28. Therefore the numbers common to both sets have the difference of 28. The
sum of the five numbers is 29 + (29 + 28) + (29 + 2 28) = 171.
Example 19. If the blanks are replaced with three numbers to create an arithmetic
sequence, what is the sum of these three numbers? 18, ——, —— , ——, 54.
(A) 102 (B) 104 (C) 106 (D) 108 (E) 110
Solution: D.
Let the three numbers be x , y, and z. in order from the smallest to the greatest.
18 54 xz
By the definition of arithmetic sequence, we have 36 y
2 2
x y 2y
So x y z 3 y 3 36 108
Example 20. The third term of an arithmetic sequence is 15 and the fifth term is
23. What is the first term?
(A) 2 (B) 5 (C) 7 (D) 8 (E) 10
60
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Solution: C.
By the formula an a1 (n 1)d , we have
15 a1 (3 1)d 15 a1 2d 30 2a1 4d (1)
23 a1 (5 1)d 23 a1 4d (2)
(1) – (2): a1 7 .
Example 21. In an arithmetic sequence the 113th term is 786 and the 125th term is
870. Find the 150th term.
(A) 1024 (B) 1045 (C) 1053 (D) 1058 (E) 1030
Solution: B.
a a a a a a 870 786 a150 786
d m n = 125 113 150 113
mn 125 113 150 113 12 37
84
a150 37 786 1045 .
12
Solution: C.
Method 1:
S 3 S1 6 a1 6 4
d
By formula (2.1.3), we have: 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 d = – 2.
2 3 1 2 2
Method 2:
(a1 a3 ) 3
We calculate S3 6 a1 a3 4 .
2
Since a1 = 4, a3 = 0.
a3 a1 0 4
By the formula (2.1.2), we have: d 2 .
3 1 2
61
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Solution: A.
Let the common difference of the arithmetic sequence be d.
We are given that a3 = 6, and a6 = 0.
a 2d 6
1
.
Therefore a 5d 0
1
Solving we get a1 10, d 2 .
an 10 (n 1) 2 2n 12 .
Solution: C.
By (2.4.3), we have a3a5 a42 .
a3a4a5 a43 8 .
So a4 2 .
By (2.4.5), a1a7 a42 . Therefore a1a3a4a5a7 a45 32.
Example 25. Each new triangle shown below has one more dot per side than the
previous triangle. What
is the total number of
dots on the triangle
with 358 dots per side?
(A) 1024 (B) 1045 (C) 1053 (D) 1058 (E) 1071
Solution: E.
We see the pattern:
62
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Example 26. Seventeen consecutive positive integers have a sum of 306. What is
the sum of the seventeen consecutive positive integers that are following the
previous mentioned seventeen positive integers?
(A) 565 (B) 575 (C) 585 (D) 595 (E) 47
Solution: D.
Method 1:
By the formula (2.1.3),
S34 S17
1 34 17 17 S34 S17
172 S34 2S17
2 34 17 2 34 17
S34 S17 172 S17 595 .
Method 2:
S (a1 a17 ) 306
We know that a9 18 .
n 2 17
Since these positive integers are consecutive, a18 a9 9 18 9 27 and
a34 43 . The sum is 595.
Solution: A.
We have S9 72
S9 9a5 , and a5 8 .
a2 a4 a9 (a2 a9 ) a4 (a5 a6 ) a4 3a5 24 .
63
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
4. PROBLEMS
Problem 1. The first term in the sequence 5, 19, 61, 187, . . . is 5, and each term
after the first is determined by multiplying the preceding term by m and then
adding p. What is the value of m?
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 9
Problem 2. The first term of sequence P: 3, 9, 27, . . .is 3, and each term after the
first is 3 times the preceding term. The first term of sequence T: 100, 200, 300, . .
. is 100, and each term after the first is 100 more than the preceding term. What is
the least value of n such that the nth term of sequence P is greater than the nth
term of sequence T?
(A) 6 (B) 7 (C) 8 (D) 9 (E) 10
Problem 3. In the sequence 7, a, b, , . . . , the first term is 7 and the second term is
a. Each term after the second is the product of the two immediately preceding
terms. If a < 0, what is the 11th term of the sequence?
(A) 724 (B) 721 (C) 7 (D) – 7 (E) 745
Problem 4. How many integers belong to the arithmetic sequence 93, 103, 113, . .
. , 1463?
(A) 93 (B) 138 (C) 94 (D) 137 (E) 139
Problem 7. The first term of an arithmetic sequence is 15, and the seventh term is
57. What is the third term of the sequence?
(A) 87 (B) 29 (C) 24 (D) 45 (E) 36
64
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Problem 9. The arithmetic sequences 1, 4, 7, 10, . . . , and 2, 10, 18, 26, . . . , each
contain 100 terms. How many numbers are common to both sequences?
(A) 15 (B) 14 (C) 13 (D) 100 (E) 99
Problem 11. How many different arithmetic sequences are there with all of the
following properties:
a) the first term is 119, b) the last term is 179,
c) the common difference is a whole number, and
d) the total number of terms is at least three?
(A) 11 (B) 12 (C) 14 (D) 16 (E) 10
Problem 13. This sequence is generated using the rule where each term is the
sum of the two preceding terms. Find the second term.
5, — , — , — , — , — , 9
(A) 2 (B) – 2 (C) 6 (D) 7 (E) – 12
Problem 16. Each term in a sequence of whole numbers is one more than the
square of the previous term Given that the fourth term is 26, what is the sum of
the third and fifth terms?
(A) 615 (B) 616 (C) 649 (D) 684 (E) 682
65
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
Problem 17. In a sequence, each term is obtained by calculating the sum of the
preceding two terms. The eighth term is 81, and the sixth term is 31. What is the
fourth term?
(A) 12 (B) 19 (C) 31 (D) 50 (E) 76
Problem 18. How many squares are needed to build the 10th shape in the pattern?
Problem 22. In an arithmetic sequence an, first term a1 and the common
difference d are real numbers. The sum of first n terms is Sn. If S5 S6 + 15 = 0 and
S5 = 5, find the sum of S 6 and a1.
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 6 (E) 7
66
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
5. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: C.
5m + p = 19 (1)
19m + p = 61 (2)
(2) – (1): 14m = 42 m = 3.
Problem 2. Solution: A.
Sequence P: 3, 9, 27, 81, 243, 729
Sequence T: 100, 200, 300 400 500 600
Problem 3. Solution: A.
7a = b (1)
ab = 7 (2)
(1) (2): b2 = 72.
Since a < 0, and 7a = b, b < 0. Therefore b = – 7 and a = –1.
The terms are 7, –1, – 7, 7, – 72, – 73, 75, – 78, – 713, 721. – 724.
Problem 4. Solution: B.
an a1 (n 1)d 1463 93 (n 1) 10 n 138
Problem 5. Solution: E.
x 3 1 x x7 d 4 a10 3 (10 1) 4 39 .
Problem 6. Solution: A.
( x 1) (2 x 3)
x 1 x0.
2
Problem 7. Solution: B.
By the formula an a1 (n 1)d , we have
a3 15 (3 1)d a3 15 2d 3a3 45 6d (1)
57 15 (7 1)d 57 15 6d (2)
(1) – (2): 3a3 57 45 15 3a3 87 a3 29 .
Problem 8. Solution: B.
67
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
x( x 1)
By the sum formula, we have 120 x( x 1) 240 .
2
Since x and x + 1 are consecutive integers, we have x( x 1) 240 1516 . So x is
15.
Problem 9. Solution: C.
By the formula an a1 (n 1)d , we have a100 1 (100 1) 3 298 and
b100 2 (100 1) 8 794 .
We know that LCM (3, 8) = 24.
The number of terms in common to both sequences is n and 298 10 (n 1) 24
n 13 .
Note we do not need to look at the second sequence because its last term is much
bigger.
68
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
,….
1+30 1 + 31 1+ 32,…
The 10th shape will need 1 + 9 3 = 28 squares.
69
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 21 Sequences and Series
1
a1 a2 a7 7 (a1 a7 ) 7a4 28
2
Method 2:
Let the fourth term be x. If m + n = p + q, am an a p aq , we have:
3
2 6 2 2
x 2 = 3
2 6
2 x 1.
2 2
Method 3:
Let the fourth term be x. By (2.4.1), we have:
3
2 x 3
2 6 2 2
x 2 = 3
2 6
2 6 x 1.
2 2 2 2
70
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Definition
Note that two different values of x can have the same value of y, but one value of
x cannot have two different values of y.
For example, the price of fruits in a store is a function of fruit kind. One pound of
apple (x1) and one pound of orange (x2) can have the same price $1.99 per pound
(y). However, one pound of apple (x) cannot have two different prices at the same
time (one price tag says $1.99 per pound (y1) and price tag says $0.99 per pound
(y2).
Solution: E.
A B C D E
x (9), (2) (5), (3) (0), (5) (1), (2) (3), (3)
y (3), (4) (3), (6) (2), (0) (2), (4) (4), (9)
We see that h(x) is not a function because one value of x has two different values
of y.
71
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Solution: B.
7
When 2m 1 6m 8 , or 6m 2m 8 1 or m , this relation is not a
4
function.
Solution: B.
We see that g is not a function because one value of x has two different values of
y.
x, x 1
Example 4. Let f ( x) x 1, 1 x 3 . Then f(0) + f(2) + f(4) is equal to
x 3, x 3
A. 0 B. 9 C.10 D. 21 E. None of these
Solution: C.
f(0) = 0.
f(2) = 2 + 1 = 3.
f(4) = 4 + 3 = 7.
f(0) + f(2) + f(4) = 0 + 3 + 7 = 10.
72
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Solution: D.
f(2) = f(1 + 1) = (f(1))2 = 4 and f(3) = f(2 + 1) = ( f(2))2 =16 , and f(4) = f(3 + 1) =
(f(3))2 = 162 = 256.
2. BASIC FUNCTIONS
Solution: D.
9 5( F 32)
F C 32 C .
5 9
5 (140 32)
When the temperature is 140 0 F , C = 60.
9
Solution: E.
73
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
From f x ax b,
f 1 a b = 5 (1)
f 2 2a b = 8 (2)
(2) – (1): a = 3. So b = 2.
f x ax b f x 3x 2 .
Thus f 3 3 3 2 11
Solution: D.
f x 2 x 3 f 4 2 4 3 11.
Solution: D.
g 2 3 2 5 1 .
f g 2 = f 1 2 1 1 3 .
Example 10. g x is a linear function such that g 0 5 and g 1 11. Find the
value of g 2.5.
A. 10 B. 15 C. 20 D. 21 E. 16.
Solution: C.
Let g x ax b .
Since g 0 5 , g 0 a 0 b 5 b 5.
Since g 1 11. , g 1 a 1 b 11 a 6.
So g x ax b 6 x 5 and g 2.5 = 6 2.5 5 20 .
74
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Example 11. The function f is linear and satisfies f d 1 f d 3 for all real
numbers d . What is f 3 f 5 ?
A. −6 B. −15 C. 10 D. 21 E. 16.
Solution: A.
Let f x ax b .
f d ad b (1)
f d 1 a(d 1) b (2)
(2) – (1): f d 1 f d 3 or a(d 1) b − ( ad b ) = 3 a 3.
So f x 3x b .
f 3 f 5 3 3 b (3 5 b) 9 15 6 .
75
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Example 12. Find the general expression of a quadratic function that passes
through (0, 3) and (8, 3).
A. f(x) = ax2 8x + 3 B. f(x) = a(x2 8x) + 3 C. f(x) = a(x2 8x + 3)
D. f(x) = x2 ax + 3 E. none of these
Solution: B.
Initially, let f(x) = ax2 + bx + c. f(0) = c = 3. f(8) = 64a + 8b + c = 3
64a + 8b = 0 b = 8a.
f(x) = ax + (8a)x + 3 = a(x2 8x) + 3.
2
Example 13. Each spring a 12 meter × 12 meter rectangular garden has its length
increased by 2 meters but its width decreased by 50 centimeters. What will be the
maximum attainable area of the garden?
A. 144 m2 B. 176 m2 C. 189 m2 D. 200 m2 E. 225 m2
Solution: E.
The area will be (12 + 2x)(12 − 0.5x) = 144 + 24x – 6x − x2 = 144 + 18x − x2 ,
where x is the number of years. This quadratic expression has a maximum at its
vertex, which occurs when x = −b/a = −18/(−2) = 9. The area when x = 9 is 144
+18(9) − 92 = 225.
Solution: E.
g (2) 2 2 4
f ( g (2)) 42 1 15 .
Solution: A.
( x 3)2 16 x 3 4 or x 3 4 . So x 1 is the answer.
76
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Solution: A.
f 4 f 3 = 3 42 1 − ( 3 32 1 ) = 21.
Solution: A.
hx x 2 2 x 3 x 2 2 x 1 2 ( x 1)2 2 .
We know that we can get the smallest value of h when (x – 1)2 = 0. So x = 1.
Solution: A.
f 2 3 22 2 2 k 6 k 10
Solution: A.
f 2 3 22 1 12 1 11 .
77
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Solution: B.
f x x x2 x x x2 2x 0 x( x 2) 0 .
So x = 0 or x = 2. The answer is B.
Definition:
y x
x is called the floor function. Whenever we see this notation, we take the
greatest integer value not greater than x. It is also called Gaussian Function since
it was introduced by Carl Friedrich Gauss in 1808 (using the square bracket
notation [x]).
Solution:
(a) 3.14 3 (b) 4.5 = 4 (c) 0.5 1 (not 0).
Example 22. How many positive integers from 992 to 1992 are multiples of 7?
A. 284 B. 143 C. 142 D. 141 E. 140.
Solution: D.
1992 991
7 284 and 7 141 .
78
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
There are 284 – 141 =143 positive integers from 992 to 1992 that are the
multiples of 7.
Solution: D.
100 100 100 100
33 11 3 1 48 .
3 3 3 3
1 2 3 4
Note that this question is solved in the same as finding how many zeros 100! ends
in base 6 systems.
Example 24. f ( x) [ x] where "[x]" is “the greatest integer less than or equal to
1
1
x ”, find the value of 3 .
1 1
2
A. 3 B. 4 C. 2 D. – 3 E. – 2.
Solution: D.
1 4
1 3 3 8 2
1 1 2 3
1 3 3
2 2
Solution: E.
[ 4 ] = [ ] – 4 = 3 – 4 = – 1.
79
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Solution: B.
f (2) 4 23 3 22 2 10 32 12 2 10 12 .
Solution: E.
f 1 5 (1)4 4 (1)3 3 (1)2 2 (1) 1 5 4 3 2 1 15 .
3x 2 2 x 1 f 1 f 0
Example 28. Given f x , find .
2x 3 f 2
5 3 7 22
A. B. C. 2 D. E.
27 7 3 7
Solution: A.
0 0 1 1 3 2 1 12 4 1
f 0 , f 1 2 , and f 2 9.
03 3 23 43
1 5
2 ( )
f 1 f 0 3 3 5 .
f 2 9 9 27
80
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
2
Example 29. If f (2 x) for all x > 0, then 2f(x) =
2 x
2 2 4 4 8
A. B. C. D. E.
1 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 4 x
Solution: E.
X
Let X = 2x x
2
2 2 2 4 4
f (2 x) f (X ) f ( x) .
2 x X 4 X 4 X 4 x
2
2 2 2
4 8
2f(x) = 2 × .
4 x 4 x
Solution: C.
If n = 1, f (1 1) 2 f (1) 1 2 3 1 7 .
If n = 2, f (2 1) 2 f (2) 1 2 7 1 15 .
If n = 3, f (3 1) 2 f (3) 1 2 15 1 31 .
If n = 4, f (4 1) 2 f (4) 1 2 31 1 63 .
If n = 5, f (5 1) 2 f (4) 1 2 63 1 127 .
If n = 6, f (6 1) 2 f (6) 1 2 127 1 255 .
If n = 7, f (7 1) 2 f (7) 1 2 255 1 511 .
f(9) = 2 × 511 + 1 = 1023, f(10) = 2 × 1023 + 1 = 2047,
f(11) = 2 × 2047 + 1 = 4095.
81
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
n
Example 31. If f n 2 for all positive integers n and f (2) 1, find
f ( n)
f (8).
A. 1 B. 3 C. 2 D. 4 E. 7.
Solution: B.
2
If n = 2, f 2 2 2.
f (2)
4
If n = 4, f 4 2 2.
f (4)
6
If n = 6, f 6 2 3.
f (6)
Example 32. The function f x is called a nested function, and is defined as:
x 2 for x 5
f x
x f f x 3 for x 5
Find f 1.
A. 1 B. 3 C. 2 D. 4 E. 5.
Solution: A.
f 6 6 2 4
f 7 7 2 5
f 8 8 2 6
f 5 5 f f 5 3 5 f(f (8)) 5 f (6) 5 4 1
f 4 4 f f 4 3 4 f(f (7)) 4 f (5) 4 1 3
f 3 3 f f 3 3 3 f(f (6)) 3 f (4) 3 3 0
f 2 2 f f 2 3 2 f(f (5)) 2 f (1) (1)
f 1 1 f f 1 3 1 f(f (4)) 1 f (3) 1 0 1 (2)
The answer is 1.
82
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Solution: D.
f 1 f 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
f 2 f 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 6
f 3 f 3 1 3 1 6 3 1 10
f 4 f 4 1 4 1 10 4 1 15
f 5 f 5 1 5 1 15 5 1 21.
Solution: C.
f 3 f 5 7 (3 2) (5 2) (7 1) 12 .
83
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
3. PROBLEMS
Problem 3. Give the letter corresponding to the relations given which is not
functions.
x
a) f (x)
3
b) g: x 2 x 1
c) { ( x, g ( x)) : g ( x) 3 }
d) {(0,0),(1,0),(2,0),(3,0)}
e) {(0,0),(0,1),(0,2),(0,3)}
A. a) B. b) C. c) D. d) E. e)
9
Problem 6. The formula F C 32 is used to convert temperatures from
5
degrees Celsius (C) to degrees Fahrenheit (F). What is the number of degrees in
the Fahrenheit equivalent to 20 0 C ?
A. 40. B. 16. C. 68 D. 56 E. 65.
84
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Problem 8. If f x 3x 1 find f 7 .
A. 10 B. 16 C. 18 D. 20 E. 22.
Problem 10. g is a linear function with g 5 0 and g 0 10. Find g 10 .
A. −10 B. −15 C. 10 D. 21 E. 16.
Problem 11. Given that f is a linear function where f 0 20 and f 4 0,
what is the value of f 10 ?
A. − 70 B. −30 C. 30 D. 20 E. 10.
Problem 12. Find the vertex of a quadratic function that has a for the x2
coefficient and x intercepts: (2, 0) and (10, 0).
A. (6, 16a) B. (6, a) C. (a, 0) D. (6/a, 16) E. none of these
Problem 13. If the vertex of the graph of y = x2 + 4x 7 is (h, k), then what is h
+ k?
A. 11 B. 12 C. 13 D. 14 E. 15
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. 5
85
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. 5
Problem 21. How many positive integers from 1 to 500 are the multiples of 8?
A. 61 B. 62 C. 63 D. 64 E. 65.
Problem 23. f( x) x x for all x such that 2 x 2. Find all values of x for
1
which f x . ( x is the greatest integer less than or equal to x.)
2
A. (1, 1) B. (1.5, 0.5) C. (1.5, 0.5) D. (1.5, 0.5) E. (1.5, 0.5).
Problem 24. If f x x where x means “the greatest integer less than or
equal to x, ” find f 3 2 .
A. 4 B. 5 C. 7 D. 8 E. 3.
86
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
A. 47 B. 74 C. 72 D. 70 E. 79.
x 2 2x 1 f 2
Problem 27. Give f x , find .
x 1
2
f 0
A. 1 B. 3 C. 2 D. – 3 E. – 1.
x 3
Problem 28. If f x, find f (x).
2
A. f(x) = x 8 B. f(x) = 2x + 3 C. f(x) = 2x + 3
D. f(x) = 2x 3 E. f ( x) 2 x 3
Problem 29. Given f (n 2) 3 f (n) 4 and f 0 2, find the value of f (6).
A. 109 B. 105 C. 106 D. 104 E. 107.
Problem 30. A function is defined by f 0 0 and f n f n 1 2n, for n >
0. Find f 4.
A. 10 B. 30 C. 20 D. 40 E. 70.
87
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Problem 33. The function f n x is the n th digit to the right of the decimal point
1
in the decimal representation of x . For example, f 2 ( ) f 2 (0.142857) 4 .
7
5 2
Find f5 ( ) .
9 3
A. 5 B. 4 C. 3 D. 2 E. 1.
3h( x) 4
Problem 34. (2001 NC Algebra II ) Let h( x 1) for positive integer
3
2
value x and , h(1) , find h(3) .
3
A. 1 B. 0 C. 5 D. 2 E. 6
Problem 35. (2003 NC Algebra II ) If f(x) = f(x − 2) + x, and f (7) =11, find f (5).
A. 10 B. 8 C. 6 D. 8 E. 4
Problem 36. If f (x) =(x + 5)2 + 8, then what is the sum of the values of x for
which f (x) = 12?
A. 10. B. 7. C. 10. D. 20. E. 297.
Problem 38. Function f satisfies f(x) + 2f(5 − x) = x for all real numbers x. The
value of f(1) is
A. 7/3 B. 3/7 C. 5/2 D. 2/5 E. None of these
Problem 39. Suppose that f(n + 1) = f(n) + f(n −1) for n = 1, 2, … . Given that
f(6) = 2 and f(4) = 8, what is f(3) + f(5)?
A. −18 B. −19 C. −20 D. −21 E. −22
88
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
89
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
4. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: A.
A B C D E
x (2), (2) (5), (3) (0), (5) (1), (2) (3), (5)
y (3), (4) (8), (8) (5), (0) (3), (5) (4), (9)
We see that g(x) is not a function because one value of x has two different values
of y.
Problem 2. Solution: B.
1
When n 2 4n 3 , or 4n n 3 2 or n , this relation is not a function.
3
Problem 3. Solution: E.
We see that e) is not a function because one value of x has four different values of
y.
Problem 4. Solution: B.
f(22) = 4 2 f(2 + 2) + 3 f(4) = 4 2 f(2 + 2) + 3 f(4) = 4 2 f(4) + 3
f(4) = −3/7.
Problem 5. Solution: C.
g(2) = –6 = (2)2 + b·2 + c –10 − c = 2b b = –5 − c/2.
2
g(5) = (5) + b·5 + c = 25 + 5(− 5 − c/2) + c = − 5c/2 + c = –1.5c.
Problem 6. Solution: C.
9 9
F C 32 20 32 68 .
5 5
Problem 7. Solution: B.
Since f is a constant function. f (2) = f(1) = 6.
90
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
Problem 8. Solution: E.
f x 3x 1 f 7 3 7 1 22 .
Problem 9. Solution: D.
g3 2 3 5 6 5 1
f g 3 = f 1 5 1 2 7 .
91
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
b 4ac b 2 4 4 (7) 42
hk 2 11 13 .
2a 4a 2 4
or x = 2.5.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
93
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
0 0 1
f 0 1
0 1
22 2 2 1 9
f 2 3.
22 1 3
f 2 3
3 .
f 0 1
94
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
95
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 22 Functions
96
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
1. PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
Proof:
Method 1: (Chinese way):
Arrange four congruent right triangles to form a square as show
in the figure.
1
The area of the four triangles is a b 4 2ab (1)
2
The area of the smaller square is (b a)2 b2 2ab a 2 (2)
The area of the large square is c2 (3)
(3) = (1) + (2)
1
c2 = a b 4 (b a) 2 2ab b2 2ab a 2 c 2 a 2 b2
2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
( a b) ( a b ) 1 1 1
= ab ab c 2 a 2 2ab b2 ab ab c2
2 2 2 2
c a b
2 2 2
Method 4:
In right triangle ABC, draw CD AB. From the lecture 26, we know that ABC
ACD CBD.
We also know that SCBD SACD SABC
SCBD SACD
1
SABC SABC
BC 2 AC 2 a b
( ) ( ) 1 ( )2 ( )2 1
AB AB c c
2 2 2
a +b =c
2. SOME THEOREMS
Theorem 1.
When we draw similar figures on the two legs and the hypotenuse of a right
triangle, the following formula is true:
S1 S2 S3 (2.1)
Proof:
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
2
S2 a
(1)
S1 c
2
S3 b
(2)
S1 c
a 2 b2
S2 S 3 S 1 S1 .
c2
Theorem 2.
Draw semicircles along the sides of a right triangle, using the sides of the right
triangle as the diameters, the following relationship is true:
S1 S2 S3 (2.2)
Proof:
Since triangle ABC is a right triangle, we have:
a2 + b2 = c2 (1)
2
1 1
Multiplying every term of (1) by :
2 2
2 2 2
1 a 1 b 1 c
(2)
2 2 2 2 2 2
Subtract (S4 + S5) in each side of (2):
2 2 2
1 a 1 b 1 c
S 4 S5 S 4 S5 S2 S3 S1 .
2 2 2 2 2 2
Theorem 3.
In a 45o 45o 90o right triangle, or right isosceles triangle,
the length of the hypotenuse is 2 times of the length of each
leg.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Theorem 4. If triangle ABC is a right triangle, then the radius of the inscribed
circle can be calculated by:
AC BC AB
r (2.3)
2
Theorem 6. The length of the median to the hypotenuse of a right triangle equals
one-half the length of the hypotenuse.
AM = MB = MC
3. PYTHAGOREAN TRIPLES
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
☆Example 1. Given the areas of the three squares in the figure, what is the area
of the interior triangle?
(A) 13 (B) 300 (C) 60 (D) 84 (E) 100
Solution: D.
The interior triangle is a 7 – 24 – 25 right triangle.
1
A 24 7 84 .
2
Example 2. Find x .
(A) 8 2 (B) 16 2 (C) 8 (D) 10 2 (E) 9
Solution: A.
By Theorem 3: c 2a 8 2
Solution: C.
By Theorem 1, S1 S2 S3 .
r 2 52
We see that S1
2 2
52
The shaded area is S1 S2 S3 2S1 2 25 .
2
101
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Solution: E.
Note that the triangle with the sides of 9, 40, and 41 is a right triangle (92 + 402 =
412).
Solution: A.
By Theorem 2, the shaded areas are the same as the area of the right triangle ABC.
The answer is 6.
Example 6. Find x .
(A) 8 2 (B) 16 2 (C) 16 (D) 10 2 (E) 8
Solution: 8 2
By Theorem 3: c 2a 16 2a
16 16 2 16
a 2 8 2
2 2 2 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Example 7. Find x .
(A) 8 2 (B) 9 3 (C) 9 (D) 10 2 (E) 9
Solution: B.
1
By Theorem 5: y 18 9
2
By Pythagorean Theorem c 2 a 2 b2 182 x 2 92
16 2a x 182 92 243 9 3
☆Example 8. The two circles as shown have the same center C. Chord AD is
tangent to the inner circle at B. Find the shaded area if AD =
24.
(A) 121 (B) 144 (C) 25 (D) 169 (E) 24
Solution: B.
Connect AB. Draw CB AD at B.
We know that triangle ABC is a right triangle. Applying Pythagorean Theorem we
get AC 2 BC 2 AB 2 (1)
S, the shaded area = the area of the larger circle – the area of the
smaller circle:
S AC 2 BC 2 ( AC 2 BC 2 ) (2)
Substituting (1) into (2):
S AB 2 122 144 .
Solution: A.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Solution: C.
We know that A = 30°. AB 2BC 2 3
AC 2 BC 2 AB 2 3 9
AC 2 AB 2 BC 2 2 3
2 2
AC 3 .
Solution: D.
ACD is a right triangle and DAC=90.
Area of ABCD = Area of ABC + Area of ACD
1 1
3 4 12 5 = 6 + 30 = 36 square units.
2 2
Example 12. In the figure shown, a circle is inscribed in a right triangle with
sides of length 5, 12, 13. The radius of the circle is
A. B. 12/5 C. 8 D. 2 E. 3
Solution: D.
12 5 13
By Theorem 4: r 2.
2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Solution: B.
Since AC = 6 and BC = 8, AB = 10.
AC BC AB 6 8 10
By Theorem 4: r 2
2 2
The area of the circle is r2 = 4
AC BC 6 8
The area of the triangle is 24
2 2
The answer is 24 – 4.
Solution: E.
( x y)2 6
2
x 2 2 xy y 2 6
By the Pythagorean Theorem: x 2 y 2 4
xy 1
So 2 xy 2 .
2 2
Solution:
Let E and F be the feet of the perpendicular from A and B
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
☆Example 16. (2008 AMC 8 Problem 23) In square ABCE, AF = 2FE and CD =
2DE. What is the ratio of the area of BFD to the area of square
ABCE ?
(A) 1/6 (B) 2/9 (C) 5/18 (D) 1/3 (E) 7/20
Solution: (C).
Method 1 (official solution):
Because the answer is a ratio, it does not depend on the side
length of the square. Let AF = 2 and FE = 1. That means square
ABCE has side length 3 and area 32 = 9 square units. The area of
1
BAF is equal to the area of BCD = 3 2 3 square units.
2
Triangle DEF is an isosceles right triangle with leg lengths DE = FE = 1. The area
1 1
of DEF is 1 1 2 square units. The area of BFD is equal to the area of
2 2
the square minus the areas of the three right triangles: 9 (3 + 3 + 1/2 ) = 5/2 . So
the ratio of the area of BFD to the area of square ABCE is 5/2 / 9 = 5/18.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
☆Example 17. The area of trapezoid ABCD is 318 cm2. The altitude is 12 cm,
AB is 13 cm, and CD is 37 cm. What is BC, in centimeters?
(A) 13 (B) 10 (C) 12 (D) 15 (E) 6.5
Solution: E.
Let E and F be the feet of the perpendicular from B and C to
AD, respectively. Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right
ABE, AE 2 AB 2 BE 2 132 122 52 . So AE = 5.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right DCF,
DF 2 DC2 CF 2 372 122 352 . So DF = 35.
BC AD
The trapezoid has area 12 318 BC AE EF DF 53
2
BC 5 BC 35 53 BC 6.5 .
☆Example 18. Square ABCD has sides of length 3. Segments CM and CN divide
the square's area into three equal parts. How long is the segment
connecting M and N?
Solution: 2 .
One-third of the square's area is 3, so triangle MBC has area 3 =
1
MB BC MB = 2.
2
So AM = AN = 1.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right AMN,
MN 2 AM 2 AN 2 12 12 2 . So MN = 2.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Example 19. If QPR is a right triangle where M is the midpoint of RQ, and MP
= 5, the length of RQ is:
A. 5 B. 10 C. 5 2 D. 10 2 E. 15
Solution: B.
We know that M is the midpoint of RQ
By Theorem 6, RM = MQ = MP.
The answer is RQ = RM + MQ = 2MP = 10.
Solution: D.
Method 1: By the angle bisector theorem, we have:
AC AB AC AB
CD BD 15 25
AC 5
AB 25 AC .
15 3
C = 90. By the Pythagorean theorem:
AC 2 BC 2 AB 2 AB 2 AC 2 BC 2
2
5 16
AC AC 2 (15 25) 2 AC 2 402 AC = 30.
3 9
Method 2:
Draw DE AB and meets AB at E. CAD and AED are congruent. DE = CD =
15 mm. DBE is a 15 – 20 – 25 right triangle and is similar to ABC.
AC DE AC 15
AC = 30.
CB EB 15 25 25
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Example 21. Triangle ABC has sides AC, BC and AB measuring 18, 24 and 30
units, respectively. If D is the midpoint of segment AB, what is
the length of segment CD?
(A) 10 2 (B) 30 (C) 15 (D) 24 (E) 33
Solution: C.
Note that three sides of the triangle is a Pythagorean triple.
1
By Theorem 6, CD AD DB AB 15 .
2
Example 22. A right triangle with integer side lengths a, b, and c satisfies a < b <
c and a + c = 49. What is the area of the right triangle?
A. 176. B. 210. C. 224. D. 225. E. 232.
Solution: B.
We have the following Pythagorean Triples:
a b c
20 21 29
12 35 37
1 1
The area of the right triangle is then 20 21 12 35 210 .
2 2
Solution: B.
We draw the height from B to AC to meet AC at D.
ABD is a 30-60-90 right triangle.
By Theorem 2, BD = 4.
CBD is an isosceles right triangle. So DC = 4.
By Theorem 3, BC 4 2 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
4. PROBLEMS
Problem 5. The diagonal of a square is 12 inches. The length of the side of the
square is:
A. 4 inches B. 12 inches C. 6 inches D. 6 2 inches E. 2 6 inches
Problem 6. In the figure, CAB is a right angle, D lies in the line segment AB,
the length of AC is 6, the length of BC is 10, and the length
of BD is 4. What is the length of CD?
A. 4 3 B. 2 13 C. 2 14 inches D. 8. E. 6 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Problem 7. Find the radius of the circle inscribed in a triangle whose sides are 8,
15, and 17.
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5 E. 6
Problem 8. A right triangle has the property that the lengths of its sides form a
geometric progression, (i.e. the ratio of shorter leg to the longer leg is the same as
the ratio of the longer leg to the hypotenuse.) What is the ratio of the hypotenuse
to the shorter leg?
1 5 1 5
A. 2 B. 5/3 C. 5 /2 D. E.
2 2
Problem 9. In the acute triangle ABC, the line segments AD and BE are altitudes.
If the length of AB is 10, the length of CD is 2, and the
length of AD is 6, what is the length of BE?
A. 8. B. 12. C. 2 10 . D. 3 10 . E. Cannot be determined.
Problem 10. Given the right triangle ABC as shown with EB CB, PM AB,
and M as the midpoint of AB. If AC = 6 and CB = 8, what is
the length of EP?
A. 5 B. 14 C. 75/16 D. 4 E. none of these
Problem 11. A triangle has sides of lengths 14, 11, and 7. Find the length of the
altitude of the triangle drawn to the longest side.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Problem 13. MK and LJ are the hypotenuses of overlapping right triangles KLM
and JKL. MK LJ, the length of MK is 6 5 , the length of
LK is 6 3 . Find the length of JK.
A. 9/ 2 . B. 18/ 5 . C. 12/ 5 D. 6 3 . E. 6 6 / 5
Problem 14. If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 30 inches long and one angle
measures 30º, then one leg must have a length of:
A. 30 in. B. 10 in. C. 20 in. D. 20 E. 15 in.
Problem 15. Triangle PQR has a right angle at P. If QR = 16, what is the length
of median PS?
A. 4 B. 4 3 C. 8 D. 8 3 E.16 3 /3.
Problem 17. Triangle ABC has a right angle at A. AD is the interior altitude and
BD = 8 and CD = 4. Find AD.
A. 2 3 . B. 4 2 . C. 12. D. 4 3 . E. 32.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Problem 18. A right triangle is partitioned into five congruent triangles as shown
in the figure. If the hypotenuse has length 5, find the length of the shorter leg.
5 5 1 5
A. 5 B. C. 3 D. E. 5 5
2 2
Problem 19. Consider a right triangle that can be partitioned into 5 congruent
parts as shown. What is the length of the shorter leg
of the smaller triangle?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 2 D. 1 E. (1 + 5 )
Problem 20. A right triangle with integer sides has area equal to 30. What is the
length of its hypotenuse?
A. 10 B. 12 C. 13 D. 15 E. none of these
Problem 21. Given a right triangle with sides of length a, b, and c and area, a2 +
b2 c2. Find c/b the ratio of the legs of the right triangle.
A. 1 B. 3 /2 C. 4 D. 1/4 E. none of the above
Problem 22. Find the perimeter of a right triangle whose hypotenuse is 2 and
whose area is 1.
A. 2 + 6 B. 2 + 2 C. 2 + 2 2 D. 2 + 5 E. none of these
Problem 23. For what positive value of x is there a right triangle with sides x + 1,
4x, and 4x + 1?
A. 4 B. 6 C. 8 D. 10 E. 12
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Problem 25. Circles are constructed on each of the three sides of a right triangle
ABC using the sides as diameters. In each case, the
center of the circle is the midpoint of the side, with
the side being a diameter of the circle. If the area of
the triangle is 12 square units, what is the total area
of the two smaller circles that lies outside the largest
circle and is shaded in the figure?
A. 3 B. 9 C. 12 D. 4 E. 5.
Problem 26. One leg of a right triangle is 2 inches longer than the other leg. If the
area of the triangle is 24 square inches, how long is the shorter leg?
A. 3 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8 E. 6 3 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Problem 29. The two tangent circles with the radii 3 and 1, respectively, have an
external common tangent as shown. Find the shaded area.
11 11 7
(A) 4 3 (B) 4 3 (C) (D) 2 (E) 4 3
6 6 6
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
5. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: A.
By Pythagorean Theorem c 2 a 2 b2 ( 5 ) 2 b 2 22
b2 1 b 1
Problem 2. Solution: D.
Since x > y > 0, x + y is the longest side.
So we have ( x y)2 x 2 ( x y)2 (1)
x x x
Dividing both sides of (1) by y2: ( 1) 2 ( ) 2 ( 1) 2 (2)
y y y
x
Let m . (2) becomes: (m 1)2 m2 (m 1)2 m2 4m m 4.
y
Problem 3. Solution: B.
CD2 AD BD CD2 4 16 82
CD 8 .
Problem 4. Solution: A.
As shown in the figure, ABC is a 5-12-13 right
triangle. So the answer is A.
Problem 5. Solution: D.
By Theorem 3, c 2a 12 2a
12
a 6 2.
2
Problem 6. Solution: B.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
Problem 7. Solution: B.
8 15 17
By Theorem 4: r 3.
2
Problem 8. Solution: D.
Let three sides be a, b, and c. c is the hypotenuse.
We have
a 2 b2 c 2 (1)
a b
b2 = ac (2)
b c
Substituting (2) into (1): a 2 ac c 2 (3)
a c
We divide each term of (3) by ac: 1 ( ) 2 (4)
c a
a
Let m .
c
(1) (1) 2 4 1 (1) 1 5
(4) becomes: m m 1 0
2
m .
2 2
Problem 9. Solution: D.
Applying the Pythagorean Theorem to ACD: AD 2 CD2 AC 2
62 22 AC 2 AC 2 10 .
ADB is a 6810 right triangle. So DB = 8.
We also see from the figure that EAF + F = DBF
+ F = 90. So EAF = DBF. Thus BCE is similar
AC AD 2 10 6
to ACD and
BC BE 10 BE
BE 3 10 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
118
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
119
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
120
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 23 Pythagorean Theorem
121
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
BASIC KNOWLEDGE
1. Properties of probability:
Example 1. A bag contains 4 red chips, 2 blue chips, and 3 white chips. If one
chip is drawn at random, what is the probability that the chip will not be red?
5 7 5 4 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
9 9 9 9 9
Solution: A.
There are total 4 + 3 + 2 = 9 chips. There are 4 red chips. The probability to draw
a red chip is then 4/9. By property 4, the probability that the chip will not be red is
1 4/9 = 5/9.
Example 2. There are 2 blue marbles, 6 yellow marbles, and 5 green marbles in a
bag. One at a time, two marbles are drawn randomly from the bag, with
replacement after each drawing. What is the probability that all two are green?
5 25 5 10 20
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
13 169 169 169 169
Solution: B.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
There are total 2 + 6 + 5 = 13 marbles. There are 5 green marbles. The probability
to draw a green marble is then 5/13. By the fundamental counting principle, the
probability that all three are green is (5/13) (5/13) = 25/169.
Example 3. Mark has 3 marbles in his pocket. Two marbles are yellow and one is
blue. If he randomly selects two marbles, what is the probability that they are the
same color?
2 4 2 2 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
9 9 3 5 3
Solution: E.
There are total 3 ways to select two marbles. There is only 1 way to select 2
marbles s of the same color (two yellow marbles). The probability to select 2
1
marbles that are the same color is .
3
Example 4. Three darts are thrown at the figure given, each landing in a different
square. What is the probability that the squares they land in form a
row, either horizontally, or vertically?
3 1 2 2 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
28 14 21 5 9
Solution: B.
9
There are 84 ways that three darts can be thrown at the figure given.
3
There are 6 ways that they land in a row, either horizontally, or vertically.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Example 5. Peter rolls a pair of dice with the integers 1 through 6 on the faces of
each die. What is the probability that the sum of the integers on the top faces is 9?
2 4 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
9 9 3 9 3
Solution: D.
When two dice are rolled, there are 36 outcomes. Four outcomes show that the
sum of the integers on the top faces is 9.
D1 1 2 3 4 5 6
D2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Example 6. What is the probability that exactly two heads will come up when
three coins are flipped?
3 1 1 5 7
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
8 4 8 8 8
Solution: A.
The total number of outcomes is 2 × 2 × 2 = 8.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
We have three cases that exactly two heads will come up when three coins are
flipped:
HHT, THH, and HTH.
The probability is 3/8.
☆Example 7. (2004 AMC 8 Problem 21) Spinners A and B are spun. On each
spinner, the arrow is equally likely to land on each number. What is the
probability that the product of the two spinners’ numbers is even?
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/3 (C) 1/2 (D) 2/3 (E) 3/4
Solution: D.
Method 1 (official solution, indirect way):
To get an odd product, the result of both spins must be odd. The probability of
odd is 1/2 on Spinner A and 1/3 on Spinner B. So the probability of an odd
product is (1/2)(1/3) = 1/6. The probability of an even product, then, is (1 1/3)
= 2/3.
The probability is
2 1 2 2 2 1 8 2
P
4 3 4 3 4 3 12 3
125
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
☆Example 8. Angie, Bridget, Carlos, and Diego are seated at random around a
square table, one person to a side. What is the probability that Angie and Carlos
are seated next to each other?
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/3 (C) 1/2 (D) 2/3 (E) 3/4
Solution: D.
If Angie sits down first, there are three equally likely places for Carlos to sit.
Two of these is next to Angie. Thus the probability is 2/3.
☆Example 9. A fair six-sided die is rolled twice. What is the probability that the
first number that comes up is less than or equal to the second number?
(A) 1/6 (B) 5/12 (C) 1/2 (D) 7/12 (E) 5/6
Solution: D.
In 6 of the 36 possible outcomes the two numbers are equal. The first number is
less than the second in half of the remaining 30 outcomes, so the first number is
less than or equal to the second in 6 + 15 = 21 outcomes. The probability is 21/36
= 7/12.
D1 1 2 3 4 5 6
D2
1 1, 1 1, 2 1, 3 1, 4 1, 5 1, 6
2 2, 1 2, 2 2, 3 2, 4 2, 5 2, 6
3 3, 1 3, 2 3, 3 3, 4 3, 5 3, 8
4 4, 1 4, 2 4, 3 4, 4 4, 5 4, 6
5 5, 1 5, 2 5, 3 5, 4 5, 5 5, 6
6 6, 1 6, 2 6, 3 6, 4 6, 5 6, 6
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
☆Example 10. One of the three-digit numbers is randomly selected. What is the
probability that the number is divisible by 13?
(A) 23/300 (B) 23/243 (C) 23/333 (D) 790 (E) 19/225
Solution: A.
The smallest three-digit number divisible by 13 is 13 × 8 = 104. The greatest
three-digit number divisible by 13 is 13 × 76 = 988. Therefore, there are 76 7 =
69 three-digit numbers divisible by 13. The answer is 69/900 = 23/300.
Some examples of geometric measures are lengths, areas, angle measures, and
volumes.
Example 11. If a dart hits the square board (a = 10) below, what is the probability
that it will land in the circle (r = 4)?
2 4 3 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
25 16 25 16 8
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Solution: C.
Area of circle r 2 16 4
P 2
Area of square a 100 25
Solution: A.
Area of ring r r
2 2
r r
2 2
16 1 15 5
P 1 2 2 1 22
Area of largest circle r3 r3 81 81 27
Example 13. In the figure shown, four circles are tangent to each other and to the
sides of the square as shown. A dart randomly hits the figure. What is
the probability that it lands inside one of the circular regions?
3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
8 10 16 16 4
Solution: E.
128
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Example 14. Find the probability that four randomly selected points on the
geoboard below will be the vertices of a square.
5 1 2 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
126 21 9 9 21
Solution: B.
9
The number of ways to select four vertices from the nine vertices is 126 .
4
The number of squares is 6.
Example 15. A point E is chosen at random from within square ABCD. What is
the probability that ∆ABE is obtuse?
3 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
8 4 16 16 8
Solution: A.
If E is inside the semicircle that has AB as its diameter, then
∆ABE will be obtuse.
1
Area of the semicircle 2
r2
P
Area of square ( 2r ) 2 8
☆Example 16. A complete cycle of a traffic light takes 60 seconds. During each
cycle the light is green for 25 seconds, yellow for 5 seconds, and red for 30
seconds. At a randomly chosen time, what is the probability that the light will
NOT be yellow?
(A) 11/12 (B) 7/12 (C) 5/12 (D) 1/2 (E) 1/3
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Solution: A.
time not yellow rr 25 30 11
P .
total time rr y 60 12
Note: Any two events that cannot both occur at the same time are called mutually
exclusive.
Example 17. A bag contains 3 red chips, 4 blue chips, and 2 white chips. If a chip
is drawn at random, what is the probability that the chip is red or white?
5 4 1 1 7
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
9 9 3 9 9
Solution: A.
The probability that the chip is red: 3/9 = 1/3.
The probability that the chip is white: 2/9.
The probability that the chip is red or white can be calculated using the formula:
P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) P( A B)
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Since the two events (to draw a red chip and to draw a white chip) are mutually
exclusive (when you draw a chip, if it is red, it cannot be white at the same time),
P( A B) 0
1 2 5
P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) .
3 9 9
Example 18. Two standard dice are rolled and their face values multiplied. What
is the probability that the product is prime or ends in 0?
1 1 2 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
3 6 3 9 9
Solution: A.
D1 1 2 3 4 5 6
D2
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
2 2 4 6 8 10 12
3 3 6 9 12 15 18
4 4 8 12 16 20 24
5 5 10 15 20 25 30
6 6 12 18 24 30 36
The probability that the product is prime or ends in 6 can be calculated using the
formula: P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) P( A B)
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Since the two events (the product is prime or ends in 6) are mutually exclusive
(see the table above), P( A B) 0
1 1 2 1
P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) .
6 6 6 3
Example 19 Two standard dice are rolled and their face values multiplied. What
is the probability that the product is prime or ends in 5?
1 5 1 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
4 36 6 18 9
Solution: A.
D1 1 2 3 4 5 6
D2
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
2 2 4 6 8 10 12
3 3 6 9 12 15 18
4 4 8 12 16 20 24
5 5 10 15 20 25 30
6 6 12 18 24 30 36
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
1 5 2 9 1
.
6 36 36 36 4
Example 20. Three coins are flipped. What is the probability, expressed as a
common fraction, that all are heads or all are tails?
3 3 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
4 8 6 8 4
Solution: E.
There are total 2 2 2 = 8 ways to flip three coins.
There is only 1 way to flip three heads.
There is only 1 way to flip three tails.
The probability of all heads: 1/8.
The probability of all tails: 1/8.
Since the two events are mutually exclusive (you can’t flip a coin and get both
head and tail), P( A B) 0
The probability that all are heads or all are tails can be calculated using the
formula:
1 1 2 1
P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B)
8 8 8 4
Example 21. If four coins are tossed, what is the probability that exactly three of
them show heads or exactly three of them show tails?
1 1 3 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 16 16 8 4
Solution: A.
There are total 2 2 2 2 = 16 ways to flip four coins.
4!
There are 4 ways to get exactly three heads (HHHT): 4.
3!1!
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
4!
There are 4 ways to get exactly three tails (TTTH): 4.
3!1!
The probability of getting exactly three heads: 4/16 = 1/4.
The probability of getting exactly three tails: 4/16 = 1/4.
Since the two events are mutually exclusive (you can’t flip a coin and get both
heads and tails), P( A B) 0 .
The probability that exactly three of them show heads or exactly three of them
show tails can be calculated using the formula is:
1 1 2 1
P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) .
4 4 4 2
If the outcome of event A does not affect the outcome of event B, A and B are
called independent events. P( B A) P( B)
P(A and B) P( A B) P( A) P( B)
Example 22. What is the probability of rolling doubles on a pair of fair dice?
1 1 3 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
6 12 18 8 4
Solution: A.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Example 23. The probability that Chris will win the first set of a tennis match is
2 1
and that he will win the second is . Assuming independence of the two sets,
5 2
what is the probability that he wins both sets?
1 1 2 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
5 6 3 10 9
Solution: A.
The probability that he wins both sets:
2 1 1
P(A and B) P( A) P( B) .
5 2 5
Example 24. Fifty cards numbered from 1 to 30 are placed in a box. If a card is
selected at random, what is the probability that the card is a prime number and a
multiple of seven?
7 1 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
30 10 25 25 30
Solution: E.
There are 30 numbers and 10 of them are prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17,
19, 23, 29).
There is one number that is both a prime number and a multiple of seven (7).
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
The probability to select a multiple of seven from all these prime numbers (event
B under event A) is 1/10.
The probability that the card is a prime number and a multiple of seven
1 1 1
P( A and B) P( A B) P( A) P( B A) .
3 10 30
Example 25. Cards are randomly drawn one at a time, without replacement, from
a standard deck of playing cards. What is the probability that the first three cards
chosen are clubs?
11 11 13 4 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
50 850 52 14 5
Solution: B.
Method 1:
There are 52 cards in a standard deck and 13 cards in a set clubs.
The probability to draw a club the first time: 13/52.
The probability to draw a club the second time (under the condition that one club
was drawn the first time): 12/51.
The probability to draw a club the third time (under the condition that two clubs
were drawn and only 10 of them are left): 11/50.
The probability that the first three cards chosen are clubs is:
13 12 11 11
P
52 51 50 850
Method 2:
There are total 22100 ways to draw three cards from a standard deck of 52 cards:
52
22100 .
3
136
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
13
There are total 286 ways to draw three clubs from a set of 13 clubs: 286 .
3
286 11
The probability that the first three cards chosen are clubs: P .
22100 850
Example 26. The figure below represents five offices that will be assigned
randomly to four employees, one employee per office. If Karen and Tina are two
of the four employees, what is the probability that each will be assigned an office
indicated with an X ?
(A) 1/10 (B) 1/12 (C) 1/6 (D) 1/4 (E) 1/2
Solution: A.
The probability that each will be assigned an office with an X is
2 1 1
P( A and B) P( A B) P( A) P( B A)
5 4 10
7. Total probability
Let A1, A2, A3, …, and An be mutually exclusive and exhaustive events. Then for
any other event B,
P( B) P( A1B1 ) P( A2 B2 ) P( A3 B3 ) .... P( An Bn )
P( A1 ) P( B1 A1 ) P( A2 ) P( B2 A2 ) P( A3 ) P( B3 A3 ) ... P( Bn An )
Note: Mutually exclusive means that P( Ai B j ) 0
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Then since A1, A2, A3, …, and An exhaustive, if B occurs, it must be in conjunction
with exactly one of Ai’s. That is B = (A1 and B1) or (A2 and B2) or ….(An and Bn).
Example 27. Digit d is randomly selected from the set {4, 5, 6, 7}. Without
replacement of d, another digit e is selected. What is the probability that the two-
digit number de is a multiple of 8?
1 1 2 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
3 6 3 9 9
Solution: B.
Method 1: The following cases are only ones that work: (5, 6), and (6, 4).
Method 2: There are a total of 12 ways to select two digits (four ways to select
first digit and 3 ways to select second digit).
There are four favorable ways (5, 6), and (6, 4) such that the two-digit number is a
multiple of 38.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
2 1
The probability is P .
43 6
Solution: C.
Method 1:
For the sum to be 8, the pair of numbers on the two dice can be (2, 8), (4, 6), or
(6, 4).
B A1B1 A2 B2 A3 B3
Since the selection of the second number is independent to the selection of the
first number, so
P( B) P( A1B1 ) P( A2 B2 ) P( A3 B3 ) P( A1 ) P( B1 ) P( A2 ) P( B2 ) P( A3 ) P( B3 )
1 1 1
P( A1 ) ; P( A2 ) ; P( A3 ) .
6 6 6
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
1 1 1
P( B1 ) ; P( B2 ) ; P( B3 ) .
6 6 6
1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1
P( B) .
6 6 6 6 6 6 36 12
Method 2:
There are a total of 36 outcomes rolling two dice.
There are three favorable ways: (2, 8), (4, 6), and (6, 4).
3 1
The probability is P .
36 12
Solution: E.
a
Method 1: If is an integer, the following cases are the only ones that satisfy the
b
requirement: (5, 1), (4, 2), (4, 1), (3, 1), and (2, 1).
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
a
Let B be the event that is an integer.
b
B A1B1 A2 B2 A3 B3 + A4 B4 A5 B5
P( B) P( A1B1 ) P( A2 B2 ) P( A3 B3 ) P( A4 B4 ) P( A5 B5 )
1 1 1 1 1
P( A1 ) ; P( A2 ) ; P( A3 ) ; P( A4 ) , P( A5 ) .
5 5 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1
P( B A1 ) ; P( B A2 ) ; P( B A3 ) ; P( B A4 ) , P( B A5 ) .
4 4 4 4 4
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1
P( B) .
5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 20 4
Method 2:
There are a total of 5 4 20 ways to select two digits.
There are five cases that work: (5, 1), (4, 2), (4, 1), (3, 1), and (2, 1).
5 1
The probability is P .
20 4
☆Example 30. Harry selected an even positive integer less than 10, and Jim
selected an odd positive integer less than 10. What is the probability that the
number selected by Jim is greater than the number selected by Harry?
1 1 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 8 6 5 4
Solution: A.
Say that Harry picks up a number from the set {2, 4, 6, 8} and Jim picks up a
number from the set {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}.
Let B be the event that the number selected by Jim is greater than the number
selected by Harry,
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Then B A1B1 A2 B2 A3 B3 A4 B4
P( B) P( A1B1 ) P( A2 B2 ) P( A3 B3 ) P( A4 B4 )
P( A1 ) P( B1 A1 ) P( A2 ) P( B2 A2 ) P( A3 ) P( B3 A3 ) P( A4 ) P( B4 A4 )
Or
1 4 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 10 1
P( B) .
4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 2
Example 31. Tim selects three different numbers at random from the set {1, 7,
9, 11} and adds them. Cathy takes two different numbers at random from the set
{ 3, 4, 5, 6} and multiply them. What is the probability that Tim’s result is less
than Cathy’s result?
1 7 1 1 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
12 12 6 5 12
Solution: E.
Tim can get the numbers 1 + 7 + 9 = 17, 1 + 7 + 11 = 19, 1 + 9 + 11 = 21, or 7 + 9
+ 11 = 27.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
143
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
PROBLEMS
☆Problem1. James rotates spinners P, Q and R and adds the resulting numbers.
What is the probability that his sum is an odd number?
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/3 (C) 1/2 (D) 2/3 (E) 3/4
Problem 2. A number is selected at random from 101 through 900. What is the
probability that the number selected is a perfect square?
1 21 1 1 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
40 800 80 5 12
Problem 3. A bag contains 3 white, 4 blue, and 5 red marbles. What is the
probability that a marble selected at random is blue?
1 1 1 1 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
12 3 6 5 12
Problem 4. A bag contains 5 blue marbles, 4 white marbles, and 3 red marbles. If
three marbles are randomly selected from the bag, what is the probability that the
marbles selected will be of the same color?
1 1 1 1 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
22 110 6 5 44
Problem 5. All three-digit numbers that have only the digits 1, 3, 5, or 7 in each
position are recorded on slips of paper and placed in a container. If a slip of paper
is picked at random from the container, what is the probability that it contains the
number 153?
144
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
1 1 1 1 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
12 24 64 4 24
Problem 6. Two fair cubical dice are tossed. What is the probability that the sum
of the numbers showing on the dice will be four?
1 1 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
12 9 36 4 18
Problem 7. What is the probability that three randomly selected points on the
geoboard shown will be vertices of a triangle?
19 1 1 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
21 9 36 14 21
Problem 8. Two different prime numbers are selected at random from among the
first ten prime numbers. What is the probability that the sum of the two primes is
24?
1 2 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
45 45 15 9 5
Problem 9. In the figure shown, the circle with center O has a radius of 8 and the
square has side length of 16. If a point is selected at random from
within the region determined by the circle and the square, what is
the probability that it will be within the shaded region?
2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
16 3 4 16 3 16 3 16
Problem 10. Darts thrown at a board are equally likely to hit anywhere within a
region on the board. If 75% of the darts land inside the small
square, what is the value of y ?
(A) 4 3 (B) 3 3 (C) 2 3 (D) 3 (E) 7
145
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
1 11 1 1 9
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 20 3 4 20
Problem 12. Parallelogram ABCD has vertices A(3, 3), B( –3, –3), C( –9, –3), and
D( –3, 3). If a point is selected at random from the region
determined by the parallelogram, what is the probability
that the point is not above the x-axis?
1 1 1 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 3 5 4 3
Problem 13. A dart is thrown at the square target shown. Assuming the dart hits
the target at a random location, what is the probability that it
will be in the shaded region?
5 3 4 3 9
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
16 16 4 4 16
Problem 14. When four fair coins are tossed, what is the probability that the
outcome will consist of two heads and two tails?
1 11 1 1 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 20 3 4 8
Problem 15. Four coins are tossed. What is the probability that the outcome will
be four heads or four tails?
3 3 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
4 8 6 8 4
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Problem 16. If a marble is chosen from a bag that contains 10 red marbles, 5 blue
marbles, and 15 white marbles, what is the probability that the marble chosen is
blue or red?
1 1 1 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 6 3 4 3
Problem 17. If you roll a pair of dice, what is the probability expressed as a
common fraction that both numbers are 2’s or that the sum is less than 6?
1 5 1 1 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
2 18 3 4 3
Problem 18. In his locker, Andrew has 2 history books and 3 math books. In his
rush to get to class, he grabs 1 book, then a second book, without stopping to
look. What is the probability that he pulls a math book out first and a history book
out second?
1 5 1 3 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 18 3 10 3
Problem 19. A dime, 2 nickels, and 3 pennies are in a container. Assume that it is
equally likely to shake out any one coin. What is the probability of shaking out a
penny each of 4 times if the coin is returned after each shake?
1 1 1 3 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 8 16 10 3
Problem 20. What is the probability that, in three single draws without
replacement, two red marbles and one blue marble will be drawn in that order
from a bag containing six red marbles, eight yellow marbles, and seven blue
marbles?
1 1 3 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
8 18 38 4 38
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Problem 21. A bag contains 6 marbles and each is red or blue. If 2 marbles are
1
randomly selected, the chance that they are both blue is . How many red
5
marbles are in the bag?
(A) 3 (B) 5 (C) 7 (D) 9 (E)11.
Problem 22. What is the probability that, when Alex selects a positive even
integer less than twenty and Bob picks a positive multiple of 3 less than thirty,
they pick the same number?
1 1 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
3 9 27 27 38
Problem 23. Two distinct numbers are chosen at random from {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
What is the probability that the quotient of the smaller number divided by the
larger number is a terminating decimal?
2 3 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
5 5 6 7 8
Problem 24. Digit d is randomly selected from the set {4, 5, 6, 7}. Without
replacement of d, another digit e is selected. What is the probability that the two-
digit number de is a multiple of 3?
1 2 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
3 3 4 7 8
Problem 25. What is the probability that David and Tim randomly select the
same number if David selects a positive divisor of 64 and Tim selects a multiple
of 3 that is less than 64?
1 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 0.
3 3 4 7
148
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Problem 26. A bag contains only red marbles, blue marbles, and yellow marbles.
1
The probability of randomly selecting a red marble from this bat is , and the
3
1
probability of randomly selecting a blue marble is . Which of the following
5
could be the total number of marbles in the bag?
(A) 10 (B) 15 (C) 18 (D) 20 (E) 32
Problem 27. A box contains wood beads, red glass beads, and blue glass beads.
The number of glass beads is 7 times the number of wood beads. If one bead is to
be chosen at random from the box, the probability that a red glass bead will be
chosen is 6 times the probability that a blue glass bead will be chosen. If there are
24 red glass beads in the box, what is the total number of beads in the box?
(A) 32 (B) 42 (C) 48 (D) 60 (E) 64
Problem 29. There are x (either hardback or paperback) books on a shelf. If one
book is to be selected at random, the probability that a paperback will be selected
5
is . In terms of x, how many of the books are hardbacks?
12
5x 7x 12x 12x
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 5x
12 12 5 7
Problem 30. Anna is to spin each of the three spinners shown and then add the
resulting numbers. What is the probability that the sum of the three numbers will
be odd?
149
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
1 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 1.
3 3 4 7
Problem 31. In the 3 × 4 grid shown, the points are one unit apart horizontally
and vertically. Given that two points are randomly selected
from the grid, what is the probability that the distance between
them is 2 ?
1 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 0.
3 11 4 7
Problem 32. Two girls and three boys are to be seated in a row of five desks.
What is the probability that the students at the ends of the row are both boys?
1 2 1 3 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) .
3 11 4 10 5
150
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
SOLUTIONS
☆Problem1. Solution: D.
Because the sum of a number from spinner Q and a number from spinner R is
always odd, the sum of the numbers on the three spinners will be odd exactly
when the number from spinner P is even. Because 4 and 6 are even number on
spinner P, the probability of getting an odd sum is 2/3.
Problem 2. Solution: A.
There are 900 – 101 + 1 = 800 numbers.
There are 101 30 10 20 square numbers.
900
The probability that the number selected is a perfect square is 20/800 = 1/40.
Problem 3. Solution: B.
There are total 3 + 4 + 5 = 12 marbles. There are 4 blue marbles. The probability
to draw a blue marble is then 4/12 = 1/3.
Problem 4. Solution: E.
There are total 5 + 4 + 3 = 12 marbles. If three marbles are randomly selected
from the bag, the possible outcomes will be:
blue, blue, blue
white, white, white
red, red, red.
5 4 3
3 3 3 10 4 1 15 3
P .
12 220 220 44
3
Problem 5. Solution: C.
There are 4 4 4 = 64 such 3-digit numbers. There is only one 3-digit number
1
of 153. So the probability is .
64
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Problem 6. Solution: A.
When two dice are rolled, there are 36 outcomes. Three outcomes show that the
sum of the integers on the top faces is 4.
D1 1 2 3 4 5 6
D2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Problem 7. Solution: A.
9
The number of ways to select three vertices from the nine vertices is 84 .
3
We must exclude from our count those sets of three points that are collinear.
19
The probability is (84 – 8)/84 = .
21
152
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Problem 8. Solution: C.
Let us list the first ten prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29.
We have 3 ways to get a sum of 24: 5 + 19 = 24; 7 + 17 = 24; and 11 + 13 = 24.
10
So we have 45 sums and the probability is 3/45 = 1/15.
2
Problem 9. Solution: D.
measure of area of favorable region
P=
measure of area of total region
1
82 16
P 4 .
3
82 162 3 16 16 2
3 16
4
153
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
Area of shaded 32 22 5
P
Area of largest square 42 16
Since the two events are mutually exclusive (you can’t flip a coin and get both
head and tail), P( A B) 0
The probability that all are heads or all are tails can be calculated using the
1 1 1
formula: P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) .
16 16 8
Problem 16. Solution: A.
There are total 10 + 5 + 15 = 30 marbles. There are 5 blue and 10 red marbles.
The probability to draw a blue marble is 5/30 = 1/6.
The probability to draw a red marble is 10/30 = 1/3.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
The probability that the marble chosen is blue or red can be calculated using the
formula: P( A or B) P( A B) P( A) P( B) P( A B)
1 1 3 1
0 .
6 3 6 2
D1 1 2 3 4 5 6
D2
1 1, 1 1, 2 1, 3 1, 4 1, 5 1, 6
2 2, 1 2, 2 2, 3 2, 4 2, 5 2, 6
3 3, 1 3, 2 3, 3 3, 4 3, 5 3, 8
4 4, 1 4, 2 4, 3 4, 4 4, 5 4, 6
5 5, 1 5, 2 5, 3 5, 4 5, 5 5, 6
6 6, 1 6, 2 6, 3 6, 4 6, 5 6, 6
155
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
The probability of shaking out a penny each of 4 times if the coin is returned after
1 1 1 1 1
each shake is then = .
2 2 2 2 16
156
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
6
We have 15 ways to select two numbers.
2
The following fractions are not terminating:
(1, 3), (2, 3), (1,6), (2, 6), (4, 6), (5, 6).
The probability that the quotient of the smaller number divided by the larger
6 2
number is a repeating decimal is Pr .
15 5
The probability that the quotient of the smaller number divided by the larger
2 3
number is a terminating decimal is Pt 1 Pr 1 .
5 5
157
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
1 1 1 1
P( B A1 ) ; P( B A2 ) ; P( B A3 ) ; P( B A4 ) .
3 3 3 3
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1
P( B) .
4 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 12 3
Method 2: There are a total of 12 ways to select two digits (four ways to select
first digit and 3 ways to select second digit).
There are four favorable ways (4, 5), (5, 4), (5, 7), and (7, 5) such that the two-
digit number is a multiple of 3.
4 1
The probability is P .
43 3
158
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
159
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 24 Probability
160
AMC 8 Preparation Index
A D
absolute value, 2 decimal, 18, 86, 88
acute triangle, 111 diagonal, 110
altitude, 110, 111, 112 diameter, 114, 129
angle, 108, 110, 112, 117, 120, 127 difference, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 60, 61, 62, 65,
area, 76, 97, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 66
109, 113, 114, 115, 118, 120, 121, 127 digit, 3, 5, 13, 15, 42, 56, 88, 127, 138, 144, 148,
arithmetic mean, 52 151, 157, 158
arithmetic sequence, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 60, 61, divisible, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48,
62, 63, 64, 65, 66 49, 50, 51, 93, 127, 157
divisor, 33, 40, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 148
B
E
base, 79
binary, 9 equation, 7, 19
evaluate, 10, 19, 20
C even number, 151, 159
event, 122, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140,
center, 103, 114, 145 141, 142, 143, 157
chord, 103 exponent, 13
circle, 100, 103, 104, 105, 111, 114, 127, 128, expression, 76
145
coefficient, 85
F
collinear, 152
combination, 33 face, 131, 132
common factor, 34, 50 factor, 40, 50, 51, 93
common fraction, 5, 11, 12, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, finite, 52, 53
71, 84, 114, 133, 147 formula, 8, 54, 55, 61, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73, 84, 98,
common multiple, 40 102, 122, 127, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 154,
concentric, 128 155
congruent, 97, 108, 113 fraction, 1, 156
constant, 58, 85, 90, 91 function, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83,
counting, 56, 123 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91
counting numbers, 56
counting principle, 123 G
cube, 139
geometric mean, 53, 58
geometric sequence, 53, 57, 58, 62
161
AMC 8 Preparation Index
hexagon, 115
P
hypotenuse, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 110, 111, 112,
113, 115, 117, 120 parallelogram, 146
perimeter, 113, 118, 120
I perpendicular, 103, 105, 107
point, 88, 128, 129, 145, 146
independent events, 134, 135 positive number, 59, 88
integer, 2, 4, 5, 18, 23, 31, 32, 34, 36, 39, 40, 42, prime factorization, 2
43, 44, 45, 48, 51, 54, 65, 77, 78, 79, 86, 88, prime number, 2, 51, 135, 136, 145, 153
109, 113, 140, 141, 148 probability, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128,
integers, 2, 3, 7, 19, 32, 33, 34, 36, 42, 43, 45, 54, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137,
56, 63, 64, 65, 68, 78, 79, 82, 86, 100, 124, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, 146, 147,
152, 158 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156,
isosceles, 99, 102, 103, 106, 109 157, 158, 159
isosceles triangle, 99, 102 product, 64, 125, 131, 132
Pythagorean Theorem, 3, 103, 105, 106, 107,
L 116, 117, 118, 119, 120
Pythagorean Triple, 109, 120
LCM, 35, 36, 39, 41, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 60, 68
line, 73, 110, 111, 160
line segment, 110, 111, 160
Q
quadrilateral, 104, 114
M quotient, 31, 32, 33, 37, 40, 42, 148, 157
mean, 7, 31, 41
median, 100, 112
R
midpoint, 108, 109, 111, 114 radius, 100, 104, 111, 145
multiple, 2, 44, 135, 136, 138, 148, 157, 158 random, 122, 126, 129, 130, 135, 140, 142, 144,
145, 146, 148, 149
N ratio, 53, 57, 58, 106, 107, 110, 111, 113
real number, 5, 10, 16, 18, 23, 66, 75, 88, 92
natural number, 14, 22, 32, 34, 40, 42, 81, 89 real numbers, 5, 10, 16, 18, 23, 66, 75, 88
natural numbers, 14, 22, 89 reciprocal, 1
negative number, 59 rectangle, 110, 114
relatively prime, 100
O remainder, 13, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 59
odd number, 144
162
AMC 8 Preparation Index
T Z
zero, 93
term, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65,
66, 68, 69, 70, 95, 99, 117
terminating decimal, 148, 156, 157
163