Question

Let the set $\mathcal{S} = \{8, 5, 1, 13, 34, 3, 21, 2\}.$ Susan makes a list as follows: for each two-element subset of $\mathcal{S},$ she writes on her list the greater of the set's two elements. Find the sum of the numbers on the list.

Answer

Answer: 484

Concepts:counting pairs double counting

Difficulty rating: 1840

Solution:

An element $x$ is the greater element of a two-element subset exactly once for each smaller element of the set, so $x$ contributes to the sum once per element below it. Sorting the set as $1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34,$ the sum of the list is $\begin{aligned} &0(1) + 1(2) + 2(3) + 3(5) \\ &\quad {}+ 4(8) + 5(13) + 6(21) \\ &\quad {}+ 7(34) \\ &= 2 + 6 + 15 + 32 \\ &\quad {}+ 65 + 126 + 238 = 484. \end{aligned}$

2003 AIME I Problem 3

Answer: 484

Difficulty rating: 1840

Solution:

Problem 3 in Other Years