2021 AMC 10A Fall Exam Solutions

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All of the real AMC 8 and AMC 10 problems in our complete solution collection are used with official permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

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1.

What is the value of (21122021)2169?\dfrac{(2112-2021)^2}{169}?

77

2121

4949

6464

9191

Solution:

We can simplify the expression as follows: (21122021)2169=912169=912132=(9113)2=72=49. \begin{align*} \dfrac{(2112 - 2021)^2}{169} &= \dfrac{91^2}{169} \\ &= \dfrac{91^2}{13^2} \\ &= \left(\dfrac{91}{13}\right)^2 \\ &= 7^2 \\ &= 49. \end{align*}

Thus, C is the correct answer.

2.

Menkara has a 4×64 \times 6 index card. If she shortens the length of one side of this card by 11 inch, the card would have area 1818 square inches. What would the area of the card be in square inches if instead she shortens the length of the other side by 11 inch?

1616

1717

1818

1919

2020

Solution:

If she shortens the 44 unit side by 1,1, she has a 3×63 \times 6 card, which has an area of 26=18.2 \cdot 6 = 18.

If Menkara shortens the other side, she gets a 454 \cdot 5 card, which has an area of 45=20.4 \cdot 5 = 20.

In the problem, Menkara shortened the 44 unit side. Therefore, the area of the card if she shortened the other side is 20.20.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

3.

What is the maximum number of balls of clay of radius 22 that can completely fit inside a cube of side length 66 assuming the balls can be reshaped but not compressed before they are packed in the cube?

33

44

55

66

77

Solution:

The volume of the cube is 63=216.6^3 = 216. The volume of a ball of clay is 43π23=32π3. \dfrac{4}{3} \pi 2^3 = \dfrac{32 \pi}{3}.

Since the balls can be reshaped but not compressed, the answer is 21632π3=81π4. \left \lfloor \dfrac{216}{\dfrac{32 \pi}{3}} \right \rfloor = \left \lfloor \dfrac{81 \pi}{4} \right \rfloor.

Approximating using π3.14,\pi \approx 3.14, we get 124π13 12 \leq 4 \pi \leq 13 and 8113814π8112. \left \lfloor \dfrac{81}{13} \right \rfloor \leq \left \lfloor \dfrac{81}{4 \pi} \right \rfloor \leq \left \lfloor \dfrac{81}{12} \right \rfloor. Since 8112=8112=6, \left \lfloor \dfrac{81}{12} \right \rfloor = \left \lfloor \dfrac{81}{12} \right \rfloor = 6, we get that 814π=6. \left \lfloor \dfrac{81}{4 \pi} \right \rfloor = 6.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

4.

Mr. Lopez has a choice of two routes to get to work. Route A is 66 miles long, and his average speed along this route is 3030 miles per hour. Route B is 55 miles long, and his average speed along this route is 4040 miles per hour, except for a 12\dfrac{1}{2}-mile stretch in a school zone where his average speed is 2020 miles per hour. By how many minutes is Route B quicker than Route A?

2342 \dfrac{3}{4}

3343 \dfrac{3}{4}

4124 \dfrac{1}{2}

5125 \dfrac{1}{2}

6346 \dfrac{3}{4}

Solution:

Mr. Lopez would take 63060=12 \dfrac{6}{30} \cdot 60 = 12 minutes to travel on Route A.

On Route B, he would take (5.540+.520)60=8.25 \left(\dfrac{5 - .5}{40} + \dfrac{.5}{20}\right) \cdot 60 = 8.25 minutes.

The difference in times along these routes is 128.25=3.7512 - 8.25 = 3.75 minutes.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

5.

The six-digit number 20210A\underline{2}\,\underline{0}\,\underline{2}\,\underline{1}\,\underline{0}\,\underline{A} is prime for only one digit A.A. What is A?A?

11

33

55

77

99

Solution:

Note that AA cannot be even, as then the number would be divisible by 2.2.

AA also cannot be 5,5, as that would make the number divisible by 5.5.

If AA equaled 11 or 7,7, then the sum of the digits of the number would be 66 and 1212 respectively.

This would make the number divisible by 3,3, so that rules out AA equaling either of these numbers.

Finally, if AA equals 3,3, then the whole number becomes 202109.202109. If we look at the difference of the sums of alternating digits, we get 2+213=0, 2 + 2 - 1 - 3 = 0, which means the number is divisible by 11.11.

This means that AA must be 9.9.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

6.

Elmer the emu takes 4444 equal strides to walk between consecutive telephone poles on a rural road. Oscar the ostrich can cover the same distance in 1212 equal leaps. The telephone poles are evenly spaced, and the 4141st pole along this road is exactly one mile (52805280 feet) from the first pole. How much longer, in feet, is Oscar's leap than Elmer's stride?

66

88

1010

1111

1515

Solution:

There are 4040 gaps between the 11 st and 4141 st pole, which means that the distance between consecutive poles is 5280÷40=132 5280 \div 40 = 132 feet.

This means that each of Elmer's strides is 132÷44=3 132 \div 44 = 3 feet. Similarly, each of Oscar's strides is 132÷12=11 132 \div 12 = 11 feet. This makes Oscar's leap 113=811 - 3 = 8 feet longer.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

7.

As shown in the figure below, point EE lies on the opposite half-plane determined by line CDCD from point AA so that CDE=110.\angle CDE = 110^\circ. Point FF lies on AD\overline{AD} so that DE=DF,DE=DF, and ABCDABCD is a square. What is the degree measure of AFE?\angle AFE?

160160

164164

166166

170170

174174

Solution:

Since ADC=90,\angle ADC = 90^{\circ}, we get that FDE=36090110 \angle FDE = 360^{\circ} - 90^{\circ} - 110^{\circ} =160.= 160^{\circ}. Also since FDE\triangle FDE is isosceles, we get that EFD=1801602=10. \angle EFD = \dfrac{180^{\circ} - 160^{\circ}}{2} = 10^{\circ}. Finally, we get that AFE=18010=170. \angle AFE = 180^{\circ} - 10^{\circ} = 170^{\circ}.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

8.

A two-digit positive integer is said to be cuddly if it is equal to the sum of its nonzero tens digit and the square of its units digit. How many two-digit positive integers are cuddly?

00

11

22

33

44

Solution:

Let a b\underline{a} \ \underline{b} be a 22-digit cuddly number.

Then 10a+b=a+b2. 10a + b = a + b^2. Rearranging, we get 9a=b(b1). 9a = b(b - 1). This means that 99 divides either bb or b1b - 1 (33 cannot divide both bb and b1b - 1).

The only way this is possible is if b=9b = 9 (bb is one digit, so it can't be anything else). Checking, we get that 8989 is a cuddly number. This shows that there is only 11 two-digit cuddly number.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

9.

When a certain unfair die is rolled, an even number is 33 times as likely to appear as an odd number. The die is rolled twice. What is the probability that the sum of the numbers rolled is even?

38\dfrac{3}{8}

49\dfrac{4}{9}

59\dfrac{5}{9}

916\dfrac{9}{16}

58\dfrac{5}{8}

Solution:

Let pp be the probability that an odd number is rolled. Then 3p3p is the probability an even number is rolled. We know that p+3p=1p=14. p + 3p = 1 \Rightarrow p = \dfrac{1}{4}.

The only way for the sum to be even is if both rolls have the same parity. This happens with a probability of 142+342=1016=58. \dfrac{1}{4}^2 + \dfrac{3}{4}^2 = \dfrac{10}{16} = \dfrac{5}{8}.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

10.

A school has 100100 students and 55 teachers. In the first period, each student is taking one class, and each teacher is teaching one class. The enrollments in the classes are 50,20,20,5,50, 20, 20, 5, and 5.5. Let tt be the average value obtained if a teacher is picked at random and the number of students in their class is noted. Let ss be the average value obtained if a student was picked at random and the number of students in their class, including the student, is noted. What is ts?t-s?

18.5-18.5

13.5-13.5

00

13.513.5

18.518.5

Solution:

Recall Expected value= \text{Expected value} = Σ(OutcomeProbability). \Sigma (\text{Outcome} \cdot \text{Probability}).

Therefore, t=15(50+20+20+5+5) t = \dfrac{1}{5} (50 + 20 + 20 + 5 + 5) =15100=20 = \dfrac{1}{5} \cdot 100 = 20 and s=5050100+2020100 s = 50 \cdot \dfrac{50}{100} + 20 \cdot \dfrac{20}{100} +2020100+55100+55100 + 20 \cdot \dfrac{20}{100} + 5 \cdot \dfrac{5}{100} + 5 \cdot \dfrac{5}{100} =25+4+4+.25+.25=33.5 = 25 + 4 + 4 + .25 + .25 = 33.5

ts=13.5.t - s = -13.5.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

11.

Emily sees a ship traveling at a constant speed along a straight section of a river. She walks parallel to the riverbank at a uniform rate faster than the ship. She counts 210210 equal steps walking from the back of the ship to the front. Walking in the opposite direction, she counts 4242 steps of the same size from the front of the ship to the back. In terms of Emily's equal steps, what is the length of the ship?

7070

8484

9898

105105

126126

Solution:

Let xx be the length of the ship. Then in the time that Emily moves 210210 steps, the ship moves 210x210 - x steps.

In the time that Emily moves 4242 steps, the ship moves x42x - 42 steps. Since the ship and Emily move at a constant rate 210210x=42x42. \dfrac{210}{210 - x} = \dfrac{42}{x - 42}. Cross-multiplying yields 210x21042=2104242x 210x - 210 \cdot 42 = 210 \cdot 42 - 42x 426x=242210 42 \cdot 6 x = 2 \cdot 42 \cdot 210 x=70. x = 70.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

12.

The base-nine representation of the number NN is 27,006,000,052nine.27,006,000,052_{\text{nine}}. What is the remainder when NN is divided by 5?5?

00

11

22

33

44

Solution:

Note that 91(mod5). 9 \equiv -1 \pmod{5}. Then if expand NN using the definition of bases, we get N=2910+799+696+ N = 2 \cdot 9^{10} + 7 \cdot 9^9 + 6 \cdot 9^6 +59+2 5 \cdot 9 + 2 2(1)10+7(1)9+6(1)6+ \equiv 2 (-1)^{10} + 7 (-1)^9 + 6 (-1)^6 +5(1)+2(mod5) 5 (-1) + 2 \pmod{5} 27+65+2(mod5) \equiv 2 - 7 + 6 - 5 + 2 \pmod{5} 3(mod5). \equiv 3 \pmod{5}.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

13.

Each of 66 balls is randomly and independently painted either black or white with equal probability. What is the probability that every ball is different in color from more than half of the other 55 balls?

164\dfrac{1}{64}

16\dfrac{1}{6}

14\dfrac{1}{4}

516\dfrac{5}{16}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

Solution:

Note that for this restriction to hold, there must be 33 balls of each color.

There are 26=642^6 = 64 ways to color the balls and (63)=20\binom{6}{3} = 20 to choose which balls are white.

The desired probability is therefore 2064=516.\dfrac{20}{64} = \dfrac{5}{16}.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

14.

How many ordered pairs (x,y)(x,y) of real numbers satisfy the following system of equations? x2+3y=9(x+y4)2=1\begin{align*} x^2+3y&=9 \\ (|x|+|y|-4)^2 &= 1 \end{align*}

11

22

33

55

77

Solution:

The second equation seems very similar to that of a diamond. Rearranging, we get x+y4=±1 |x| + |y| - 4 = \pm 1 x+y={3,5}. |x| + |y| = \{3, 5\}.

We can graph this to see if we can figure out where the intersection points are.

From this, we can see that there are 55 intersection points.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

15.

Isosceles triangle ABCABC has AB=AC=36,AB = AC = 3\sqrt6, and a circle with radius 525\sqrt2 is tangent to line ABAB at BB and to line ACAC at C.C. What is the area of the circle that passes through vertices A,A, B,B, and C?C?

24π24\pi

25π25\pi

26π26\pi

27π27\pi

28π28\pi

Solution:

Let C1\odot C_1 be the circle that is tangent to ABAB and AC.AC. Then ABO1=ACO1=90, \angle ABO_1 = \angle ACO_1 = 90^{\circ}, making the two angles supplementary. This makes ABO1CABO_1C cyclic.

Let O2\odot O_2 be the circumcircle of ABO1C.ABO_1C. This makes O2\odot O_2 the circumcircle of ABC\triangle ABC as well.

We also know that AO1AO_1 is the diameter of O2O_2 since AO1AO_1 bisects BAC.\angle BAC.

By the Pythagorean theorem, we get that AO1=AB2+BO12=54+50=226. \begin{align*} AO_1 &= \sqrt{AB^2 + BO_1^2} \\ &= \sqrt{54 + 50} \\ &= 2\sqrt{26}. \end{align*} This makes the area of O2\odot O_2 26π.26 \pi.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

16.

The graph of f(x)=x1xf(x) = |\lfloor x \rfloor| - |\lfloor 1 - x \rfloor| is symmetric about which of the following? (Here x\lfloor x \rfloor is the greatest integer not exceeding x.x.)

the y-axis\text{the }y\text{-axis}

the line x=1\text{the line }x = 1

the origin\text{the origin}

the point (12,0)\text{the point }\left(\dfrac{1}{2}, 0\right)

the point (1,0)\text{the point }(1,0)

Solution:

Note that f(1x)=1xx f(1 - x) = \mid \lfloor 1 - x \rfloor \mid - \mid \lfloor x \rfloor \mid =f(x).= -f(x).

This means that f(12+x)=f(12x). f(\dfrac{1}{2} + x) = -f(\dfrac{1}{2} - x).

Therefore, the graph is symmetric about the point (12,0).(\dfrac{1}{2}, 0).

Thus, D is the correct answer.

17.

An architect is building a structure that will place vertical pillars at the vertices of regular hexagon ABCDEF,ABCDEF, which is lying horizontally on the ground. The six pillars will hold up a flat solar panel that will not be parallel to the ground. The heights of pillars at A,A, B,B, and CC are 12,12, 9,9, and 1010 meters, respectively. What is the height, in meters, of the pillar at E?E?

99

636\sqrt{3}

838\sqrt{3}

1717

12312\sqrt{3}

Solution:

Note that the inclination from pillar AA to pillar BB is 33 since the solar panel is flat.

Let GG be the center of the solar panel. Since CGBA,\overline{CG} \mid \mid \overline{BA}, we get that the height at GG is 10+3=13.10 + 3 = 13.

We also know that the heights at B,G,B, G, and EE are collinear. This makes the height of the pillar at EE 9+4+4=17. 9 + 4 + 4 = 17.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

18.

A farmer's rectangular field is partitioned into 22 by 22 grid of 44 rectangular sections as shown in the figure. In each section the farmer will plant one crop: corn, wheat, soybeans, or potatoes. The farmer does not want to grow corn and wheat in any two sections that share a border, and the farmer does not want to grow soybeans and potatoes in any two sections that share a border. Given these restrictions, in how many ways can the farmer choose crops to plant in each of the four sections of the field?

1212

6464

8484

9090

144144

Solution:

There are 22 cases.

Case 1:1: the top-right and bottom-left sections have the same crop

There are 44 options for which crop is in those sections. The other two sections have 33 options for the crop since each crop has one restriction for crops next to it. This gives us 433=36 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 = 36 combinations.

Case 2:2: the top-right and bottom-left sections have different crops

There are 44 options for which crop is in the top-left section. Then there are 33 options for the top-right and 22 for the bottom-left. This leaves 22 options for the bottom-right section. This gives us another 4322=48 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 = 48 configurations.

In total, there are 36+48=8436 + 48 = 84 combinations.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

19.

A disk of radius 11 rolls all the way around the inside of a square of side length s>4s > 4 and sweeps out a region of area A.A. A second disk of radius 11 rolls all the way around the outside of the same square and sweeps out a region of area 2A.2A. The value of ss can be written as a+bπc,a+\dfrac{b\pi}{c}, where a,b,a,b, and cc are positive integers and bb and cc are relatively prime. What is a+b+c?a+b+c?

1010

1111

1212

1313

1414

Solution:

The side length of the inner square traced out by the inner circle is s4.s - 4.

There are also the small pieces remaining in the corner. These form a total area of (1+1)2π12=4π. (1 + 1)^2 - \pi 1^2 = 4 - \pi.

Therefore, A=s2(s4)2(4π) A = s^2 - (s - 4)^2 - (4 - \pi) =8s20+π.= 8s - 20 + \pi.

The outer disk traces out an area that is comprised of 44 rectangles and 44 quarter-circles. The rectangles have area s2=2s s \cdot 2 = 2s and the quarter-circles form a circle with radius 22 and area 4π.4 \pi.

This gives us 2A=8s+4π. 2A = 8s + 4 \pi.

Equating the two equations we get 8s+4π=2(8s20+π). 8s + 4 \pi = 2(8s - 20 + \pi). Solving yields 8s=40+2π 8s = 40 + 2 \pi s=5+π4. s = 5 + \dfrac{\pi}{4}.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

20.

How many ordered pairs of positive integers (b,c)(b,c) exist where both x2+bx+c=0x^2+bx+c=0 and x2+cx+b=0x^2+cx+b=0 do not have distinct, real solutions?

44

66

88

1010

1212

Solution:

Recall that the only way a quadratic does not have distinct, real solutions is if the discriminant is nonpositive.

This gives us that b24c and c24b. b^2 \leq 4c \text{ and } c^2 \leq 4b.

Squaring the first inequality gives us that b416c2b^4 \leq 16c^2 since bb and cc are positive.

Multiplying the second inequality by 1616 and combining gives us b416c264b. b^4 \leq 16c^2 \leq 64b.

The only values of bb that satisfy b464bb^4 \leq 64b are 1,2,3,1, 2, 3, and 4.4.

Case 1:b=11: b = 1

This gives us 116c264. 1 \leq 16c^2 \leq 64.

Only c=1c = 1 and c=2c = 2 work.

Case 2:b=22: b = 2

This gives us 1616c2128. 16 \leq 16c^2 \leq 128.

Only c=1c = 1 and c=2c = 2 work.

Case 3:b=33: b = 3

This gives us 8116c2192. 81 \leq 16c^2 \leq 192.

Only c=3c = 3 works.

Case 4:b=44: b = 4

This gives us 25616c2256. 256 \leq 16c^2 \leq 256.

Only c=1c = 1 works.

This gives us a total of 66 pairs that work.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

21.

Each of 2020 balls is tossed independently and at random into one of the 55 bins. Let pp be the probability that some bin ends up with 33 balls, another with 55 balls, and the other three with 44 balls each. Let qq be the probability that every bin ends up with 44 balls. What is pq?\dfrac{p}{q}?

11

44

88

1212

1616

Solution:

For the sake of simplicity, we can assume the balls and bins are both distinguishable.

Since each case includes having 44 balls in 33 bins, we can leave those out during our calculation.

For p,p, there are 55 choices for the bin with 33 balls and then 44 choices for the bin with 55 balls. Finally, there are (83)=56\binom{8}{3} = 56 ways to choose which balls go in the bins.

For q,q, after cancelling out 33 of the 44 s, there are (84)=70\binom{8}{4} = 70 ways to ensure 44 balls go in each of the remaining bins.

Since the total number of distributions is the same for both pp and q,q, we can let pq\dfrac{p}{q} be the ratio of the numerators. Therefore, pq=205670=16. \dfrac{p}{q} = \dfrac{20 \cdot 56}{70} = 16.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

22.

Inside a right circular cone with base radius 55 and height 1212 are three congruent spheres with radius r.r. Each sphere is tangent to the other two spheres and also tangent to the base and side of the cone. What is r?r?

32\dfrac{3}{2}

9040311\dfrac{90-40\sqrt{3}}{11}

22

14425344\dfrac{144-25\sqrt{3}}{44}

52\dfrac{5}{2}

Solution:

We can use coordinate geometry to solve this problem.

WLOG, let the origin be the center of the base of the cone. Then let the center of the one of the spheres be (0,2r3,r).(0, \dfrac{2r}{\sqrt{3}}, r). We get this yy-coordinate since the centers of the spheres form an equilateral triangle.

We know that this sphere is internally tangent to the cone, so we know that it is tangent to the plane with equation 5x+12y=60. 5x + 12y = 60. The distance from the center of the sphere to this plane is then r.r.

Using the formula for the distance to a plane from a point, we get r=122r3+5r6002+52+122. r = \dfrac{\left \lvert 12 \cdot \dfrac{2r}{\sqrt{3}} + 5r - 60 \right \rvert}{\sqrt{0^2 + 5^2 + 12^2}}.

Solving for r,r, we get r=(5+83)r6013 r = \dfrac{\mid (5 + 8\sqrt{3})r - 60 \mid}{13} 13r=(5+83)r+60 13r = -(5 + 8\sqrt{3})r + 60 (83+18)r=60 (8\sqrt{3} + 18)r = 60 r=3043+9943943 r = \dfrac{30}{4\sqrt{3} + 9} \cdot \dfrac{9 - 4\sqrt{3}}{9 - 4\sqrt{3}} r=30(943)33 r = \dfrac{30(9 - 4\sqrt{3})}{33} r=9040311. r = \dfrac{90 - 40\sqrt{3}}{11}.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

23.

For each positive integer n,n, let f1(n)f_1(n) be twice the number of positive integer divisors of n,n, and for j2,j \ge 2, let fj(n)=f1(fj1(n)).f_j(n) = f_1(f_{j-1}(n)). For how many values of n50n \le 50 is f50(n)=12?f_{50}(n) = 12?

77

88

99

1010

1111

Solution:

First, let us see what values of xx satisfy f1(x)=12.f_1(x) = 12. For this to happen, xx must have 66 factors. This is only possible if x=pq2x = pq^2 or x=p5x = p^5 where pp and qq are primes.

The only numbers less than 5050 that work are 12,18,20,28,44,45, and 50. 12, 18, 20, 28, 44, 45, \text{ and } 50.

Note that f1(12)=12.f_1(12) = 12. This means that if fi(x)=12,f_i(x) = 12, then fn(x)=12f_n(x) = 12 when ni.n \geq i.

This means that all the values listed above satisfy f50(x)=12.f_{50}(x) = 12. This also tells us that if some fi(x)f_i(x) equals any of the above numbers, then f50(x)=12.f_{50}(x) = 12.

The only possibilities such that x50x \leq 50 is if f1(x)f_1(x) is either 1818 or 20.20. This means xx must have either 99 or 1010 factors.

This means xx is of the form p2q2p^2q^2 or p4q.p^4q. The only numbers less than 5050 that work are 3636 and 48.48.

We have exhausted all the possible values nn such that f50(n)=12.f_{50}(n) = 12. This gives us 1010 total solutions.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

24.

Each of the 1212 edges of a cube is labeled 00 or 1.1. Two labelings are considered different even if one can be obtained from the other by a sequence of one or more rotations and/or reflections. For how many such labelings is the sum of the labels on the edges of each of the 66 faces of the cube equal to 2?2?

88

1010

1212

1616

2020

Solution:

Label the cube as follows.

Note that each face must have 22 zeros and 22 ones.This means that for all 66 faces, there are 66 zeros and 66 ones.

We can case on the sides of ABCD.ABCD.

Case 1:1: opposite sides have the same label

This gives us 22 ways to label the edges of ABCD.ABCD. WLOG, let AB,BC,CD,\overline{AB}, \overline{BC}, \overline{CD}, and DA\overline{DA} be labeled 1,0,1,01, 0, 1, 0 respectively. We multiply by 22 at the end to take care of the other case.

Then we can apply casework to the label of AE.\overline{AE}.

If its label is 1,1, then we know that the label of EF\overline{EF} and BF\overline{BF} is 00 to satisfy the condition for the top face.

Then FG\overline{FG} and CG\overline{CG} must be 1.1. This forces DH\overline{DH} and GH\overline{GH} to be 0.0. Finally, EH\overline{EH} must be 0.0.

If AE\overline{AE} is 0,0, we can walk through all the faces as before, which will tell us that there is only 11 possible case in this scenario.

Therefore, this cases has 22=42 \cdot 2 = 4 possible labelings.

Case 2:2: opposite edges have different labels

There are 44 ways to label the faces of ABCD.ABCD. WLOG, label AB,BC,CD,\overline{AB}, \overline{BC}, \overline{CD}, and DA\overline{DA} be labeled 1,1,0,01, 1, 0, 0 respectively. We can multiply by 44 at the end for the other cases.

Now we case on the labels of AE\overline{AE} and BF.\overline{BF}.

As above, we can go through each pair of labels to see that each pair only gives us one possible labeling of the cube. There are 44 pairs, so this gives us 44 configurations.

Therefore, this case has 44=164 \cdot 4 = 16 possible labelings.

Finally, there are a total of 4+16=204 + 16 = 20 labelings.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

25.

A quadratic polynomial with real coefficients and leading coefficient 11 is called disrespectful if the equation p(p(x))=0p(p(x))=0 is satisfied by exactly three real numbers. Among all the disrespectful quadratic polynomials, there is a unique such polynomial p~(x)\tilde{p}(x) for which the sum of the roots is maximized. What is p~(1)?\tilde{p}(1)?

516\dfrac{5}{16}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

58\dfrac{5}{8}

11

98\dfrac{9}{8}

Solution:

Let rr and ss be the roots of p~(x).\tilde{p}(x). Then p~(x)=(xr)(xs) \tilde{p}(x) = (x - r)(x - s)=x2(r+s)+rs.= x^2 - (r + s) + rs.

Note that the solutions to p~(p~(x))=0\tilde{p}(\tilde{p}(x)) = 0 are the solutions to p~(x)r= \tilde{p}(x) - r = x2(r+s)x+(rsr)=0 x^2 - (r + s)x + (rs - r) = 0 and p~(x)s=x2(r+s)x+(rss)=0. \begin{gather*} \tilde{p}(x) - s = \\ x^2 - (r + s)x + (rs - s) = 0. \end{gather*}

Since there are only 33 distinct solutions, one of these quadratics must have a double root, and the other has to have 22 distinct roots.

WLOG, let the first equation be the one with a double root. Then we know that its discriminant is 0.0. This give us (r+s)2=4rs4rrs=±2r. \begin{gather*} (r + s)^2 = 4rs - 4r \\ r - s = \pm 2 \sqrt{-r}. \end{gather*}

For the other equation to have 22 solutions, its discriminant must be positive. (r+s)24rs+4s>0(rs)2>4s4r>4srs<0 \begin{gather*} (r + s)^2 - 4rs + 4s \gt 0 \\ (r - s)^2 \gt -4s \\ -4r \gt -4s \\ r - s \lt 0 \end{gather*}

From above, we can conclude that rs=2r.r - s = -2\sqrt{r}.

We know that the sum of the roots of p~(x)\tilde{p}(x) is r+s=2r+2r. r + s = 2r + 2\sqrt{-r}. This is maximized when r=14,r = -\dfrac{1}{4}, yielding s=34.s = \dfrac{3}{4}. Then p~(1)=12121316=516. \tilde{p}(1) = 1^2 - \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot 1 - \dfrac{3}{16} = \dfrac{5}{16}.

Thus, A is the correct answer.