Difference between revisions of "2010 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 20"

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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
Let <math>n</math> be the total number of people in the room and <math>x</math> be the number wearing both a hat and a glove. It is possible that there are people in the room who are wearing neither a hat or a glove. However, as we are trying to minimize x, we also want to have as few people in the room as possible and still satisfy the requirements of the problem. Thus, it is safe to assume that everyone in the room is either wearing a hat or a glove or both. Then by applying the Principle of Inclusion Exclusion (PIE), the total number of people in the room wearing either a hat or a glove or both is  <math>\frac{2}{5}n + \frac{3}{4}n - x = \frac{23}{20}n - x</math>. Since <math>n</math> is also the number of people in the room that are wearing at least a hat or a glove or both, it follows that <math>\frac{23}{20}n - x = n</math>. Solving for x, we get <math>x = \frac{3}{20}n</math>. Since <math>x</math> must be a whole number and we want the smallest such <math>x</math>, it follows that <math>n=20</math> is the least number of people that must be in the room. Substituting <math>n=20</math> into the inequality, we get <math>x = 3</math>. Thus, <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\ 3}</math> is the correct answer.
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Let <math>x</math> be the number of people wearing both a hat and a glove. Since the number of people wearing a hat or a glove must be whole numbers, it follows that the number of people in the room must be divisible by <math>5</math> and <math>4</math>. Since we are trying to find the minimum <math>x</math>, we should also use the smallest possible value for the number of people in the room. Similarly, as we are trying to minimize <math>x</math>, we can assume that everyone in the room must be wearing either a hat or a glove or both. That is, there are no people present who wearing neither of the two items. Thus, we can say that there are <math>20</math> people in the room, all of which are wearing at least a hat or a glove.
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It follows that there are <math>\frac{2}{5}\cdot 20 = 8</math> people wearing gloves and <math>\frac{3}{4}\cdot 20 = 15</math> people wearing hats. Then by applying the Principle of Inclusion Exclusion (PIE), the total number of people in the room wearing either a hat or a glove or both is  <math>8+15-x = 23-x</math>. Since we know that this equals <math>20</math>, it follows that <math>23-x = 20</math>, which implies that <math>x=3</math>. Thus, <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\ 3}</math> is the correct answer.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC8 box|year=2011|num-b=19|num-a=21}}
 
{{AMC8 box|year=2011|num-b=19|num-a=21}}

Revision as of 14:49, 4 March 2012

Problem 20

In a room, $2/5$ of the people are wearing gloves, and $3/4$ of the people are wearing hats. What is the minimum number of people in the room wearing both a hat and a glove?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 5\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 8\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 15\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 20$

Solution

Let $x$ be the number of people wearing both a hat and a glove. Since the number of people wearing a hat or a glove must be whole numbers, it follows that the number of people in the room must be divisible by $5$ and $4$. Since we are trying to find the minimum $x$, we should also use the smallest possible value for the number of people in the room. Similarly, as we are trying to minimize $x$, we can assume that everyone in the room must be wearing either a hat or a glove or both. That is, there are no people present who wearing neither of the two items. Thus, we can say that there are $20$ people in the room, all of which are wearing at least a hat or a glove.

It follows that there are $\frac{2}{5}\cdot 20 = 8$ people wearing gloves and $\frac{3}{4}\cdot 20 = 15$ people wearing hats. Then by applying the Principle of Inclusion Exclusion (PIE), the total number of people in the room wearing either a hat or a glove or both is $8+15-x = 23-x$. Since we know that this equals $20$, it follows that $23-x = 20$, which implies that $x=3$. Thus, $\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\ 3}$ is the correct answer.

See Also

2011 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 19
Followed by
Problem 21
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions