Difference between revisions of "1985 AJHSME Problems/Problem 24"

(Solution 1)
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<math>\text{(A)}\ 36 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 37 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 38 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 39 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 40</math>
 
<math>\text{(A)}\ 36 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 37 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 38 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 39 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 40</math>
 
==Solution 1==
 
 
Let the number in the top circle be <math>a</math> and then <math>b</math>, <math>c</math>, <math>d</math>, <math>e</math>, and <math>f</math>, going in clockwise order. Then, we have <cmath>S=a+b+c</cmath> <cmath>S=c+d+e</cmath> <cmath>S=e+f+a</cmath>
 
 
Adding these [[equation|equations]] together, we get
 
 
<cmath>\begin{align*}
 
3S &= (a+b+c+d+e+f)+(a+c+e) \\
 
&= 75+(a+c+e) \\
 
\end{align*}</cmath>
 
 
where the last step comes from the fact that since <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, <math>c</math>, <math>d</math>, <math>e</math>, and <math>f</math> are the numbers <math>10-15</math> in some order, their [[sum]] is <math>10+11+12+13+14+15=75</math>
 
 
The left hand side is [[divisible]] by <math>3</math> and <math>75</math> is divisible by <math>3</math>, so <math>a+c+e</math> must be divisible by <math>3</math>.  The largest possible value of <math>a+c+e</math> is then <math>15+14+13=42</math>, and the corresponding value of <math>S</math> is <math>\frac{75+42}{3}=39</math>, which is choice <math>\boxed{\text{D}}</math>.
 
 
It turns out this sum is attainable if you let <cmath>a=15</cmath> <cmath>b=10</cmath> <cmath>c=14</cmath> <cmath>d=12</cmath> <cmath>e=13</cmath> <cmath>f=11</cmath>
 
 
 
  
 
==Solution 2==
 
==Solution 2==

Revision as of 09:05, 10 June 2024

Problem

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

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

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

Solution 2

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

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/Amx9xeJFSJk

~savannahsolver

See Also

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


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