2003 AMC 10A Problem 1

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 1 of the 2003 AMC 10A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2003 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:summationpairing and grouping

Difficulty rating: 860

1.

What is the difference between the sum of the first 20032003 even counting numbers and the sum of the first 20032003 odd counting numbers?

00

11

22

20032003

40064006

Solution:

The kkth even number 2k2k is exactly 11 more than the kkth odd number 2k1.2k-1.

Summing this difference over all 20032003 pairs gives 20031=2003.2003 \cdot 1 = 2003.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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