2021 AMC 10A Problems

2021 AMC 10A (Answer Key) Printable versions: Wiki • AoPS Resources • PDF
Instructions This is a 25-question, multiple choice test. Each question is followed by answers marked A, B, C, D and E. Only one of these is correct. You will receive 6 points for each correct answer, 2.5 points for each problem left unanswered if the year is before 2006, 1.5 points for each problem left unanswered if the year is after 2006, and 0 points for each incorrect answer. No aids are permitted other than scratch paper, graph paper, ruler, compass, protractor and erasers (and calculators that are accepted for use on the SAT if before 2006. No problems on the test will require the use of a calculator). Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. You will have 75 minutes working time to complete the test.
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February 4, 2021, is when the AMC 10A starts.

Problem 1

What is the value of $(2^2-2)-(3^2-3)+(4^2-4)?$ $\textbf{(A)} ~1 \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~2 \qquad\textbf{(C)} ~5 \qquad\textbf{(D)} ~8 \qquad\textbf{(E)} ~12$

Solution

Problem 2

Portia's high school has $3$ times as many students as Lara's high school. The two high schools have a total of $2600$ students. How many students does Portia's high school have?

$\textbf{(A)} ~600 \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~650 \qquad\textbf{(C)} ~1950 \qquad\textbf{(D)} ~2000\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~2050$

Solution

Problem 3

The sum of two natural numbers is $17{,}402$ . One of the two numbers is divisible by $10$ . If the units digit of that number is erased, the other number is obtained. What is the difference of these two numbers? $\textbf{(A)} ~10{,}272\qquad\textbf{(B)} ~11{,}700\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~13{,}362\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~14{,}238\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~15{,}426$

Solution

Problem 4

A cart rolls down a hill, travelling $5$ inches the first second and accelerating so that during each successive $1$ -second time interval, it travels $7$ inches more than during the previous $1$ -second interval. The cart takes $30$ seconds to reach the bottom of the hill. How far, in inches, does it travel?

$\textbf{(A)} ~215 \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~360\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~2992\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~3195\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~3242$

Solution

Problem 5

The quiz scores of a class with $k > 12$ students have a mean of $8$ . The mean of a collection of $12$ of these quiz scores is $14$ . What is the mean of the remaining quiz scores of terms of $k$ ?

$\textbf{(A)} ~\frac{14-8}{k-12} \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~\frac{8k-168}{k-12} \qquad\textbf{(C)} ~\frac{14}{12} - \frac{8}{k} \qquad\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{14(k-12)}{k^2} \qquad\textbf{(E)} ~\frac{14(k-12)}{8k}$

Solution

Problem 6

Chantal and Jean start hiking from a trailhead toward a fire tower. Jean is wearing a heavy backpack and walks slower. Chantal starts walking at $4$ miles per hour. Halfway to the tower, the trail becomes really steep, and Chantal slows down to $2$ miles per hour. After reaching the tower, she immediately turns around and descends the steep part of the trail at $3$ miles per hour. She meets Jean at the halfway point. What was Jean's average speed, in miles per hour, until they meet?

$\textbf{(A)} ~\frac{12}{13} \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~1 \qquad\textbf{(C)} ~\frac{13}{12} \qquad\textbf{(D)} ~\frac{24}{13} \qquad\textbf{(E)} ~2$

Solution

Problem 7

Tom has a collection of $13$ snakes, $4$ of which are purple and $5$ of which are happy. He knows that: All of his happy snakes can add None of his purple snakes can subtract All of his snakes that can't subtract also can't add

Which of these conclusions can be drawn about Tom's snakes?

$\textbf{(A)}$ Purple snakes can add. $\textbf{(B)}$ Purple snakes are happy. $\textbf{(C)}$ Snakes that can add are purple. $\textbf{(D)}$ Happy snakes are not purple. $\textbf{(E)}$ Happy snakes can't subtract.

Solution

Problem 8

When a student multiplied the number $66$ by the repeating decimal $\underline{1}.\underline{a} \underline{b} \underline{a} \underline{b} \cdots = \underline{1}.\overline{\underline{ab}}$ Where $a$ and $b$ are digits. He did not notice the notation and just multiplied $66$ times $\underline{1}.\underline{a}\underline{b}$ . Later he found that his answer is $0.5$ less than the correct answer. What is the $2$ -digit integer $\underline{ab}$ ?

$\textbf{(A)} ~15\qquad\textbf{(B)} ~30\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~45\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~60\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~75$

Solution

Problem 9

Problem 10

Problem 11

Problem 12

Problem 13

Problem 14

Problem 15

Values for $A,B,C,$ and $D$ are to be selected from $\{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6\}$ without replacement (i.e. no two letters have the same value). How many ways are there to make such choices so that the two curves $y=Ax^2+B$ and $y=Cx^2+D$ intersect? (The order in which the curves are listed does not matter; for example, the choices $A=3, B=2, C=4, D=1$ is considered the same as the choices $A=4, B=1, C=3, D=2.$ )