1990 AJHSME Problems/Problem 19

Problem

There are $120$ seats in a row. What is the fewest number of seats that must be occupied so the next person to be seated must sit next to someone?

$\text{(A)}\ 30 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 40 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 41 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 60 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 119$

$p$ is a person seated, $o$ is an empty seat

The pattern of seating that results in the fewest occupied seats is opoopoopoo...po we can group the seats in 3s opo opo opo ...opo

there are a total of $\boxed{B}$ groups

1990 AJHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 18	Followed by Problem 20
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