Difference between revisions of "2018 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 17"

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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
Let <math>S</math> be a set of 6 integers taken from <math>\{1,2,\dots,12\}</math> with the property that if <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> are elements of <math>S</math> with <math>a<b</math>, then <math>b</math> is not a multiple of <math>a</math>. What is the least possible values of an element in <math>S?</math>
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Let <math>S</math> be a set of 6 integers taken from <math>\{1,2,\dots,12\}</math> with the property that if <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> are elements of <math>S</math> with <math>a<b</math>, then <math>b</math> is not a multiple of <math>a</math>. What is the least possible value of an element in <math>S?</math>
  
 
<math>\textbf{(A)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 7</math>
 
<math>\textbf{(A)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 7</math>

Revision as of 21:15, 8 February 2018

Problem

Let $S$ be a set of 6 integers taken from $\{1,2,\dots,12\}$ with the property that if $a$ and $b$ are elements of $S$ with $a<b$, then $b$ is not a multiple of $a$. What is the least possible value of an element in $S?$

$\textbf{(A)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 7$

Solution

If we start with $1$, we can include nothing else, so that won't work.

If we start with $2$, we would have to include every odd number except $1$ to fill out the set, but then $3$ and $9$ would violate the rule, so that won't work.

Experimentation with $3$ shows it's likewise impossible. You can include $7$, $11$, and either $5$ or $10$ (which are always safe). But after adding either $4$ or $8$ we have nowhere else to go.

Finally, starting with $4$, we find that the sequence $4,5,6,7,9,11$ works, giving us $\boxed{\textbf{(C)} \text{ 4}}$. (Random_Guy)

See Also

2018 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 16
Followed by
Problem 18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions
2018 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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