2010 AMC 10A 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.

Mary's top book shelf holds five books with the following widths, in centimeters: 6,6, 0.5,0.5, 1,1, 2.5,2.5, and 10.10.

What is the average book width, in centimeters?

11

22

33

44

55

Solution:

Converting them all to decimals and adding, we get the average to be 6+.5+1+2.5+105=205=4.\begin{align*} \dfrac{6 + .5 + 1 + 2.5 + 10}{5} &= \dfrac{20}{5} \\&= 4. \end{align*}

Thus, D is the correct answer.

2.

Four identical squares and one rectangle are placed together to form one large square as shown. The length of the rectangle is how many times as large as its width?

54\dfrac{5}{4}

43\dfrac{4}{3}

32\dfrac{3}{2}

22

33

Solution:

WLOG, let the side lengths of the squares be 1.1.

This means that the length of the rectangle is 4.4. We also have that the width must be 41=3.4 - 1 = 3.

The desired ratio is then 43.\dfrac{4}{3}.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

3.

Tyrone had 9797 marbles and Eric had 1111 marbles. Tyrone then gave some of his marbles to Eric so that Tyrone ended with twice as many marbles as Eric. How many marbles did Tyrone give to Eric?

33

1313

1818

2525

2929

Solution:

Let xx the number of marbles that Eric ends up with. Then Tyrone ends up with 2x.2x.

The total number of marbles is 97+11=108,97 + 11 = 108, so 3x=108 3x = 108 x=36.x = 36.

Then, Tyrone ends up with 362=7236 \cdot 2 = 72 marbles. This means he has to give away 9772=2597 - 72 = 25 marbles.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

4.

A book that is to be recorded onto compact discs takes 412412 minutes to read aloud. Each disc can hold up to 5656 minutes of reading. Assume that the smallest possible number of discs is used and that each disc contains the same length of reading. How many minutes of reading will each disc contain?

50.250.2

51.551.5

52.452.4

53.853.8

55.255.2

Solution:

Note that 756=3927 \cdot 56 = 392 and 856=448,8 \cdot 56 = 448, which means that the minimum number of discs needed is 8.8.

Then the minutes of reading that each disc contains is 412÷8=51.5. 412 \div 8 = 51.5.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

5.

The area of a circle whose circumference is 24π24\pi is kπ.k\pi. What is the value of k?k?

66

1212

2424

3636

144144

Solution:

Recall that the formula for the circumference of a circle is 2πr.2 \pi r. We then have that 24π=2πr 24\pi = 2\pi r r=12. r = 12.

The area of a circle is πr2,\pi r^2, so we have that kπ=π122 k \pi = \pi 12^2 k=144. k = 144.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

6.

For positive numbers xx and yy the operation (x,y)\spadesuit (x,y) is defined as (x,y)=x1y\spadesuit (x,y) = x-\dfrac{1}{y} What is (2,(2,2))?\spadesuit (2,\spadesuit (2,2))?

23\dfrac{2}{3}

11

43\dfrac{4}{3}

53\dfrac{5}{3}

22

Solution:

Evaluating the inner expression, we get (2,2)=212=32. \spadesuit (2, 2) = 2 - \dfrac{1}{2} = \dfrac{3}{2}. Then we have (2,32)=2132=43. \spadesuit \left(2, \dfrac{3}{2}\right) = 2 - \dfrac{1}{\frac{3}{2}} = \dfrac{4}{3}.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

7.

Crystal has a running course marked out for her daily run. She starts this run by heading due north for one mile. She then runs northeast for one mile, then southeast for one mile. The last portion of her run takes her on a straight line back to where she started. How far, in miles is this last portion of her run?

11

2\sqrt{2}

3\sqrt{3}

22

222\sqrt{2}

Solution:

From the diagram, we see that the distance traveled is the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

One of the legs is just 11 from running due north. The other leg is 12+12=2. \sqrt{1^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt2.

The final distance is then 22+12=3. \sqrt{\sqrt2^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt3.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

8.

Tony works 22 hours a day and is paid $0.50 per hour for each full year of his age. During a six month period Tony worked 5050 days and earned $630. How old was Tony at the end of the six month period?

99

1111

1212

1313

1414

Solution:

Since 2.5=1,2 \cdot .5 = 1, we have that Tony makes a dollar per day per full year of his age.

If he is 1212 at the end of the period, then Tony can make a maximum of 1250=600 12 \cdot 50 = 600 dollars in the period. If he was 1313 at the end, then he could have made 1350=650. 13 \cdot 50 = 650. By this, we can see that Tony is 1313 the end of the period, since otherwise he would make too much or too little money.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

9.

A palindrome, such as 83438,83438, is a number that remains the same when its digits are reversed. The numbers xx and x+32x + 32 are three-digit and four-digit palindromes, respectively. What is the sum of the digits of x?x?

2020

2121

2222

2323

2424

Solution:

Note that xx is at most 999.999. This means that x+32x + 32 has a maximum of 1031.1031.

Similarly, we have that the minimum value of x+32x + 32 is 1000.1000.

The only palindrome in this range is 1001,1001, so this is what x+32x + 32 equals.

Then x+32=1001 x + 32 = 1001 x=969. x = 969.

The sum of the digits is then 9+6+9=24. 9 + 6 + 9 = 24.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

10.

Marvin had a birthday on Tuesday, May 27 in the leap year 2008.2008. In what year will his birthday next fall on a Saturday?

20112011

20122012

20132013

20152015

20172017

Solution:

Note that on a normal year, we have that 365=527+1, 365 = 52 \cdot 7 + 1, which means that for a specific day, it moves to the day after the next year.

On a leap year, the day of the week moves forward two since there is an extra day.

Then in 2009,2009, this day falls on a Wednesday. In 2010,2010, it falls on a Thursday.

Similarly, in 2011,2011, it falls on a Friday. In 2012,2012, however, since it is a leap year, it falls on a Sunday.

Now, for the next three years, the day moves forward one. Then in 2016,2016, it moves forward two, landing on a Friday.

Finally, in 2017,2017, the day of the week is a Saturday.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

11.

The length of the interval of solutions of the inequality a2x+3ba \le 2x + 3 \le b is 10.10. What is ba?b - a?

66

1010

1515

2020

3030

Solution:

Splitting the inequality into two of them and solving gives us a2x+3 a \le 2x + 3 xa32 x \ge \dfrac{a - 3}{2} and 2x+3b 2x + 3 \le b xb32. x \le \dfrac{b - 3}{2}.

The range of the solutions is then b32a32=10, \dfrac{b - 3}{2} - \dfrac{a - 3}{2} = 10, which then simplifying gives us (b3)(a3)=20 (b - 3) - (a - 3) = 20 ba=20. b - a = 20.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

12.

Logan is constructing a scaled model of his town. The city's water tower stands 4040 meters high, and the top portion is a sphere that holds 100,000100,000 liters of water. Logan's miniature water tower holds 0.10.1 liters. How tall, in meters, should Logan make his tower?

0.040.04

0.4π\dfrac{0.4}{\pi}

0.40.4

4π\dfrac{4}{\pi}

44

Solution:

The miniature tower holds 100,000.1=1,000,000 \dfrac{100,000}{.1} = 1,000,000 times less water than the actual tower. Since this is the ratio for volumes, the ratio of heights is (1,000,000)1/3=100. (1,000,000)^{1 / 3} = 100. This means that the height of the miniature tower is 40100=.4. \dfrac{40}{100} = .4.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

13.

Angelina drove at an average rate of 8080 kmh and then stopped 2020 minutes for gas. After the stop, she drove at an average rate of 100100 kmh. Altogether she drove 250250 km in a total trip time of 33 hours including the stop. Which equation could be used to solve for the time tt in hours that she drove before her stop?

80t+100(83t)=25080t + 100\left(\dfrac83 - t\right) = 250

80t=25080t = 250

100t=250100t = 250

90t=25090t = 250

80(83t)+100t=25080\left(\dfrac83 - t\right) + 100t = 250

Solution:

Before the stop, Angelina drove for 80t80t km using the distance formula.

The stop takes 13\frac{1}{3} of an hour, which means that Angelina travels for 213=83 2 - \dfrac{1}{3} = \dfrac{8}{3} hours after the stop. Then after the stop, Angelina drives for 100(83t) 100\left(\dfrac83 - t\right) km. Since the total distance driven is 250250 km, which makes the final equation 83t+100(83t)=250. \dfrac{8}{3}t + 100\left(\dfrac83 - t\right) = 250.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

14.

Triangle ABCABC has AB=2AC.AB=2 \cdot AC. Let DD and EE be on AB\overline{AB} and BC,\overline{BC}, respectively, such that BAE=ACD.\angle BAE = \angle ACD. Let FF be the intersection of segments AEAE and CD,CD, and suppose that CFE\triangle CFE is equilateral. What is ACB?\angle ACB?

6060^\circ

7575^\circ

9090^\circ

105105^\circ

120120^\circ

Solution:

Let BAE=ACD=x.\angle BAE = \angle ACD = x. Note that CFE=60\angle CFE = 60^{\circ} since CFE\triangle CFE is equilateral.

We then have that AFC=180CFE=120. \angle AFC = 180^{\circ} - \angle CFE = 120^{\circ}.

Then: FAC=180120x=60x=EAC.\begin{align*} \angle FAC &= 180^{\circ} - 120^{\circ} - x\\ &=60^{\circ} - x \\ &= \angle EAC.\end{align*}

We then get that BAC=BAE+EAC=x+60x=60. \begin{align*} \angle BAC &= \angle BAE + \angle EAC\\ &= x + 60^{\circ} - x \\&= 60^{\circ}. \end{align*}

Since AB=2ACAB = 2 \cdot AC and BAC=60,\angle BAC = 60^{\circ}, we have that ABC\triangle ABC is a 30609030-60-90 triangle.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

15.

In a magical swamp there are two species of talking amphibians: toads, whose statements are always true, and frogs, whose statements are always false. Four amphibians, Brian, Chris, LeRoy, and Mike live together in this swamp, and they make the following statements.

Brian: "Mike and I are different species."

Chris: "LeRoy is a frog."

LeRoy: "Chris is a frog."

Mike: "Of the four of us, at least two are toads."

How many of these amphibians are frogs?

00

11

22

33

44

Solution:

If Brian is a frog, then he must be lying, which means that Mike must be a frog.

If Brian is a toad, then he must be telling the truth, which also means that Mike is a frog.

Therefore, Mike is a frog, which means that Mike is lying. This means that there is at most one toad.

Then, at least one of LeRoy and Chris is a frog. This means the other is telling the truth, which makes them a toad.

This means there is one toad, which makes there be 33 frogs.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

16.

Nondegenerate ABC\triangle ABC has integer side lengths, BD\overline{BD} is an angle bisector, AD=3,AD = 3, and DC=8.DC = 8. What is the smallest possible value of the perimeter?

3030

3333

3535

3636

3737

Solution:

Using the Angle Bisector Theorem, we have that AB3=BC8 \dfrac{AB}{3} = \dfrac{BC}{8} AB=38BC. AB = \dfrac{3}{8} BC.

For ABAB and BCBC to be integers, we must have that BCBC is a multiple of 8.8.

To minimize the perimeter, we can set BC=8BC = 8 and AB=3.AB = 3. This, however, makes the triangle degenerate.

BCBC must then be 1616 and AB=6.AB = 6. Since DC=11,DC = 11, the perimeter is 16+6+11=33. 16 + 6 + 11 = 33.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

17.

A solid cube has side length 33 inches. A 22-inch by 22-inch square hole is cut into the center of each face. The edges of each cut are parallel to the edges of the cube, and each hole goes all the way through the cube. What is the volume, in cubic inches, of the remaining solid?

77

88

1010

1212

1515

Solution:

Note that all the cut out solids intersect in the middle of the cube.

This region of intersection is a cube with side length 2.2. Then the area of the cutout region is 3223223=3616=20. \begin{align*}3 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 - 2 \cdot 2^3 &= 36 - 16 \\&= 20.\end{align*}

We have to subtract out the center region twice since it is included in all 33 regions.

The remaining volume is then 3320=2720=7. 3^3 - 20 = 27 - 20 = 7.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

18.

Bernardo randomly picks 33 distinct numbers from the set {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}\{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9\} and arranges them in descending order to form a 33-digit number. Silvia randomly picks 33 distinct numbers from the set {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}\{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8\} and also arranges them in descending order to form a 33-digit number. What is the probability that Bernardo's number is larger than Silvia's number?

4772\dfrac{47}{72}

3756\dfrac{37}{56}

23\dfrac{2}{3}

4972\dfrac{49}{72}

3956\dfrac{39}{56}

Solution:

There are two cases: Bernardo picks a 99 or he doesn't.

Case 1: Bernardo picks a 99

Since a number is fixed, there are (82)=28\binom{8}{2} = 28 ways to choose the other two numbers.

There are a total of (93)=84\binom{9}{3} = 84 ways to pick all three numbers. The probability is then 2884=13. \dfrac{28}{84} = \dfrac{1}{3}.

Note that if Bernardo picks a 9,9, he automatically has a greater number than Silvia.

This means that Bernardo always wins in this case.

Case 2: Bernardo doesn't pick a 99

There is a 113=231 - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3} chance of this happening. Since both people are choosing from the same numbers, they have an equal chance of winning.

We still need to find the probability that the numbers are the same. There is a 1(83)=156 \dfrac{1}{\binom{8}{3}} = \dfrac{1}{56} chance that Silvia chooses the same numbers as Bernardo. The probability that Bernardo gets a higher number is then 11562=55112. \dfrac{1 - \frac{1}{56}}{2} = \dfrac{55}{112}.

The total probability of Bernardo getting a higher number is then 13+2355112=3756. \dfrac{1}{3} + \dfrac{2}{3} \cdot \dfrac{55}{112} = \dfrac{37}{56}.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

19.

Equiangular hexagon ABCDEFABCDEF has side lengths AB=CD=EF=1AB=CD=EF=1 and BC=DE=FA=r.BC=DE=FA=r. The area of ACE\triangle ACE is 70%70\% of the area of the hexagon. What is the sum of all possible values of r?r?

433\dfrac{4\sqrt{3}}{3}

103 \dfrac{10}{3}

44

174\dfrac{17}{4}

66

Solution:

Note that ACE\triangle ACE is equilateral. Using the law of cosines, we get that AC2=r2+112rcos2π3. AC^2 = r^2 + 1^1 - 2r \cos{\dfrac{2\pi}{3.}}

The area of ACE\triangle ACE is then 34(r2+r+1). \dfrac{\sqrt3}{4} (r^2 + r + 1).

Recall that the formula for the area of a triangle can be given by 12ABsinθ. \dfrac{1}{2} AB \sin{\theta}.

Using this formula on ABC,\triangle ABC, we get its area to be 121rsin120=r34. \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot 1 \cdot r \cdot \sin{120^{\circ}} = \dfrac{r \sqrt3}{4}.

The area of all three triangles is then 3r34=3r34. 3 \cdot \dfrac{r\sqrt3}{4} = \dfrac{3r\sqrt3}{4}.

The area of the entire hexagon is then 34(r2+4r+1). \dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}(r^2 + 4r + 1).

The problem conditions tells us that 34(r2+r+1)= \dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}(r^2 + r + 1) = 71034(r2+4r+1). \dfrac{7}{10} \cdot \dfrac{\sqrt3}{4} (r^2 + 4r + 1).

Simplifying this gives us r26r+1=0, r^2 - 6r + 1 = 0, which we can then use Vieta's formulas on to get the sum of values is 6.6. Intutively, this means that if our solutions to this equation are r0r_0 and r1,r_1, we have that: 0=r26r+1=(rr0)(rr1)=r2(r0+r1)+r0r1\begin{align*}0&=r^2-6r+1\\&=(r-r_0)(r-r_1)\\ &=r^2-(r_0+r_1)+r_0r_1\end{align*} Which implies that the sum of possible solutions is equal to r0+r1=6.r_0+r_1 = 6.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

20.

A fly trapped inside a cubical box with side length 11 meter decides to relieve its boredom by visiting each corner of the box. It will begin and end in the same corner and visit each of the other corners exactly once. To get from a corner to any other corner, it will either fly or crawl in a straight line. What is the maximum possible length, in meters, of its path?

4+424+4\sqrt{2}

2+42+232+4\sqrt{2}+2\sqrt{3}

2+32+332+3\sqrt{2}+3\sqrt{3}

42+434\sqrt{2}+4\sqrt{3}

32+533\sqrt{2}+5\sqrt{3}

Solution:

Note that all the paths the fly can take have lengths of 1,2,1, \sqrt2, or 3.\sqrt3.

We want to maximize the number of longer length paths. We cannot travel any interior diagonal twice, since that would make the fly visit the same vertex twice.

It also possible to visit all the vertices by traveling along diagonals, so we will never have to travel a path of length 1.1.

This means that we can mazimize the distance by traveling along 44 interior diagonals and 44 diagonals on the faces.

This path is possible by traveling along a face and then an interior diagonal, repeating this in a way that avoids visiting the same vertex twice.

The path has length 42+43. 4\sqrt2 + 4\sqrt3.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

21.

The polynomial x3ax2+bx2010x^3-ax^2+bx-2010 has three positive integer roots. What is the smallest possible value of a?a?

7878

8888

9898

108108

118118

Solution:

If r,r, s,s, tt are the roots of the polynomial, we know that: 0=x3ax2+bx2010=(xr)(xs)(xt)=x3(r+s+t)x2+(rs+st+rt)x(rst)\begin{align*}0&=x^3-ax^2+bx-2010\\ &=(x-r)(x-s)(x-t)\\ &= x^3-(r+s+t)x^2\\ &+(rs+st+rt)x-(rst) \end{align*} As such, we know that rst=2010,rst=2010, or in English, the product of the three roots is 2010.2010.

As 2010=23567, 2010 = 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot 67, we have that one of the three roots must have two of these prime numbers as factors.

Again using the first fact, we have that r+s+t=ar+s+t=a is the sum of all the roots. To minimize this, we should have 22 and 33 multiplied together.

Then, we can let the roots be 6,5,6, 5, and 67,67, which makes a=6+5+67=78. a = 6 + 5 + 67 = 78.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

22.

Eight points are chosen on a circle, and chords are drawn connecting every pair of points. No three chords intersect in a single point inside the circle. How many triangles with all three vertices in the interior of the circle are created?

2828

5656

7070

8484

140140

Solution:

We need 33 chords to form the side lengths of the triangles. Each of these chords requires 22 points on the circle.

This means that we need to choose 32=63 \cdot 2 = 6 points from the 8.8. Also note that any 66 points determine a triangle.

This is because we don't want to create chords that don't intersect in the circle, which leaves only one way to form the triangle.

The number of ways to choose the six points is then (86)=(82)=28. \binom{8}{6} = \binom{8}{2} = 28.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

23.

Each of 20102010 boxes in a line contains a single red marble, and for 1k2010,1 \le k \le 2010, the box in the kkth position also contains kk white marbles. Isabella begins at the first box and successively draws a single marble at random from each box, in order. She stops when she first draws a red marble. Let P(n)P(n) be the probability that Isabella stops after drawing exactly nn marbles. What is the smallest value of nn for which P(n)<12010?P(n) \lt \dfrac{1}{2010}?

4545

6363

6464

201201

10051005

Solution:

Since there are k+1k + 1 marbles in the kk th box, there is a kk+1\dfrac{k}{k + 1} chance Isabella draws a white marble from it.

The probability of drawing a red marble is then 1k+1.\dfrac{1}{k + 1}. To stop after drawing the nn th marble, the first n1n - 1 marbles must have been white.

This happens with a probability of 1223n1n1n+1. \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot \dfrac{2}{3} \cdot \ldots \cdot \dfrac{n - 1}{n} \cdot \dfrac{1}{n + 1}.

Note that all the numerators cancel with the adjacent denominator, which means that this expression reduces to 1n(n+1).\dfrac{1}{n(n + 1)}.

We have to find the smallest nn such that 1n(n+1)<12010 \dfrac{1}{n(n + 1)} \lt \dfrac{1}{2010} n(n+1)>2010. n(n + 1) \gt 2010.

Guessing and checking gives us that the smallest nn that works is 45.45.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

24.

The number obtained from the last two nonzero digits of 90!90! is equal to n.n. What is n?n?

1212

3232

4848

5252

6868

Solution:

We first find the number of zeros in 90!.90!. The number of zeros is determined by the number of factors of 10.10.

The number of factors of 1010 is given by the number of factors of 22 and 5.5.

There are clearly more factors of 5,5, which means that 90!90! has 905+9025=18+3=21 \left\lfloor\dfrac{90}{5}\right\rfloor + \left\lfloor\dfrac{90}{25}\right\rfloor = 18 + 3 = 21 factors of 10.10.

Now, we need to find the two rightmost digits of N=90!1021.N = \dfrac{90!}{10^{21}}. We can find the value mod 100100 by finding the values mod 44 and mod 25.25.

Since there are more factors of 22 than 55 in 90!,90!, the value of NN mod 44 is just 0.0.

Now, we just need to consider M=90!521M = \dfrac{90!}{5^{21}} mod 25.25. MM is the product of all the non-multiples of 55 less than 90.90.

Consider 1234624(mod25). 1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 4 \cdot 6 \cdots 24 \pmod{25}.

We can rewrite it is (1234612)2 (1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 4 \cdot 6 \cdots 12)^2 using the fact that x25x-x \equiv 25 - x mod 2525 and that there are even number of numbers in the square.

Then multiplying out some terms, we have that 123467891112 1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 4 \cdot 6 \cdot 7 \cdot 8 \cdot 9 \cdot 11 \cdot 12 \equiv 179117(mod25) -1 \cdot 7 \cdot 9 \cdot 11 \equiv 7 \pmod{25} using the fact that 38=212=461. 3 \cdot 8 = 2 \cdot 12 = 4 \cdot 6 \equiv -1.

Then 72=491(mod25). 7^2 = 49 \equiv -1 \pmod{25}.

This set of numbers appears 33 times in M,M, with the final being a partial expression of 123141(mod25), 1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdots 14 \equiv -1 \pmod{25}, using similar tricks to above.

Then M(1)41(mod25). M \equiv (-1)^4 \equiv 1 \pmod{25}. We also have that N=M2211221(mod25). N = \dfrac{M}{2^{21}} \equiv \dfrac{1}{2^{21}} \pmod{25}.

Then using Euler's theorem, we get that 1221122112ϕ(25)12 \dfrac{1}{2^{21}} \equiv 12^{21} \equiv 12^{\phi(25)} \cdot 12 \equiv12(mod25). 12 \pmod{25}.

Since 1212 is divisible by 4,4, we have that N12N \equiv 12 mod 100.100.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

25.

Jim starts with a positive integer nn and creates a sequence of numbers. Each successive number is obtained by subtracting the largest possible integer square less than or equal to the current number until zero is reached. For example, if Jim starts with n=55,n = 55, then his sequence contains 55 numbers: 555572=6622=2212=1112=0\begin{array}{ccccc} {}&{}&{}&{}&55\\ 55&-&7^2&=&6\\ 6&-&2^2&=&2\\ 2&-&1^2&=&1\\ 1&-&1^2&=&0\\ \end{array} Let NN be the smallest number for which Jim’s sequence has 88 numbers. What is the units digit of N?N?

11

33

55

77

99

Solution:

We can just work backwards starting with 0.0. From this, we can add on 111^1 to get 1.1.

We can again add on 111^1 to get 2.2. Again, adding on 111^1 gives us 3.3.

If we add on 111^1 now, we get 4,4, but then 111^1 is not the greatest square less than 4.4.

Then adding on 222^2 gives us 7.7. We repeat this process for 88 steps to get 7223.7223.

72237223842=167167122=232342=7722=3312=2212=1112=0\begin{array}{ccccc} {}&{}&{}&{}&7223\\ 7223&-&84^2&=&167\\ 167&-&12^2&=&23\\ 23&-&4^2&=&7\\ 7&-&2^2&=&3\\ 3&-&1^2&=&2\\2&-&1^2&=&1\\1&-&1^2&=&0\end{array}

Thus, B is the correct answer.