2010 AMC 10A Solutions

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All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

1.

Mary’s top book shelf holds five books with the following widths, in centimeters: 6,6, 12,\dfrac{1}{2}, 1,1, 2.5,2.5, and 10.10.

What is the average book width, in centimeters?

11

22

33

44

55

Concepts:meandecimal
Difficulty rating: 560
Small Hint:

Add the widths before dividing by the number of books

Big Hint:

Compute (6+12+1+2.5+10)÷5\left(6+\dfrac12+1+2.5+10\right)\div5

Solution:

Adding the five widths gives 6+12+1+2.5+10=20.6+\dfrac12+1+2.5+10=20. The average is 20÷5=4.20\div5=4.

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

Difficulty rating: 870
Small Hint:

Let each small square have side length ss

Big Hint:

The rectangle is 4s4s long and one small square shorter than the large square

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

Difficulty rating: 960
Small Hint:

The total number of marbles stays fixed

Big Hint:

The final amounts are in the ratio 2:12:1

Solution:

Let xx be 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

Difficulty rating: 1030
Small Hint:

Determine the minimum number of discs before averaging

Big Hint:

77 discs hold too little, while 88 discs suffice

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

Difficulty rating: 960
Small Hint:

Use the circumference to find the radius first

Big Hint:

From 2πr=24π2\pi r=24\pi, the desired kk is r2r^2

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

Difficulty rating: 1020
Small Hint:

Evaluate the inner \spadesuit expression first

Big Hint:

(2,2)=212\spadesuit(2,2)=2-\dfrac12, then use that as the second input

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}

Difficulty rating: 1220
Small Hint:

The northeast and southeast vertical components cancel

Big Hint:

The net displacement has north component 11 and east component 2\sqrt2

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

99

1111

1212

1313

1414

Difficulty rating: 1370
Small Hint:

Compute the total hours worked and average hourly pay

Big Hint:

Divide the average hourly pay by $0.50\$0.50 to get the average age

Solution:

Tony worked 250=1002\cdot50=100 hours, so his average hourly pay was $630÷100=$6.30.\$630\div100=\$6.30. Because his hourly pay is $0.50\$0.50 times his age in full years, his average age on the days he worked was 6.30÷0.50=12.66.30\div0.50=12.6 years. During a six-month period his age can change by at most one, so he must have worked some days at age 1212 and some at age 13.13. Thus he was 1313 at the end of the period.

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

Difficulty rating: 1280
Small Hint:

Bound the four-digit palindrome between 10001000 and 10311031

Big Hint:

Find the only palindrome in that interval, then subtract 3232

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 2727 in the leap year 2008.2008. In what year will his birthday next fall on a Saturday?

20112011

20122012

20132013

20152015

20172017

Difficulty rating: 1480
Small Hint:

Each non-leap year shifts the weekday forward by 11

Big Hint:

Since May 2727 is after leap day, leap years shift it forward by 22

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

Difficulty rating: 1280
Small Hint:

Solve the inequality for the two endpoints of xx

Big Hint:

The interval length is b32a32\dfrac{b-3}{2}-\dfrac{a-3}{2}

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

Difficulty rating: 1420
Small Hint:

Volume scale is the cube of length scale

Big Hint:

Compare 0.10.1 liters to 100000100000 liters, then take a cube root

Solution:

The miniature tower holds 100,0000.1=1,000,000 \dfrac{100,000}{0.1} = 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)13=100. (1,000,000)^{\frac{1}{3}} = 100. This means that the height of the miniature tower is 40100=0.4. \dfrac{40}{100} = 0.4.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

13.

Angelina drove at an average rate of 8080 kph and then stopped 2020 minutes for gas. After the stop, she drove at an average rate of 100100 kph. 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

Difficulty rating: 1370
Small Hint:

Subtract the 2020-minute stop from the total time

Big Hint:

After the stop, she drives for 313t3-\dfrac13-t hours

Solution:

Before the stop, Angelina drove 80t80t km.

The stop takes 13\frac{1}{3} of an hour, so her total driving time is 313=833-\frac13=\frac83 hours. After the stop, she drives for 83t\frac83-t hours, covering 100(83t)100\left(\frac83-t\right) km.

The total distance equation is 80t+100(83t)=250.80t+100\left(\frac83-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

Difficulty rating: 1660
Small Hint:

Let BAE=ACD=x\angle BAE=\angle ACD=x

Big Hint:

Use CFE\triangle CFE to find AFC\angle AFC, then angle-chase BAC\angle BAC

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{aligned} \angle FAC &= 180^{\circ} - 120^{\circ} - x\\ &=60^{\circ} - x \\ &= \angle EAC.\end{aligned}

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

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 four amphibians are frogs?

00

11

22

33

44

Difficulty rating: 1540
Small Hint:

Chris and LeRoy cannot have the same species

Big Hint:

If Brian were a toad, Mike’s statement would create a contradiction

Solution:

Chris and LeRoy cannot both be frogs, because then both of their statements would be true. They cannot both be toads either, because then both statements would be false. Thus exactly one of them is a toad.

If Brian were a toad, his statement would make Mike a frog. Brian and the one toad among Chris and LeRoy would then make Mike’s statement true, which is impossible for a frog. Therefore Brian is a frog. His statement is false, so Mike is also a frog. Along with the one frog among Chris and LeRoy, there are 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

Difficulty rating: 1600
Small Hint:

Use the Angle Bisector Theorem

Big Hint:

AB:BC=3:8AB:BC=3:8, and AC=11AC=11

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 AC=AD+DC=11,AC = AD + 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

Difficulty rating: 1790
Small Hint:

Use inclusion-exclusion for the three rectangular holes

Big Hint:

The three 2×2×32\times2\times3 holes overlap in the central 2×2×22\times2\times2 cube

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 volume of the cutout region is 3223223=3616=20. \begin{aligned}3 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 - 2 \cdot 2^3 &= 36 - 16 \\&= 20.\end{aligned}

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}

Difficulty rating: 1900
Small Hint:

Separate cases according to whether Bernardo picks 99

Big Hint:

Without a 99, the two numbers are symmetric except when the chosen sets match

Solution:

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

Case 1:1: 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 2:2: 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

Difficulty rating: 1960
Small Hint:

Split the hexagon into ACE\triangle ACE and three corner triangles

Big Hint:

Express both areas using r2+r+1r^2+r+1 and rr

Solution:

Note that ACE\triangle ACE is equilateral. Using the Law of Cosines in ABC,\triangle ABC, we get AC2=r2+12AC^2=r^2+1^2 2rcos120-2r\cos120^\circ =r2+r+1.=r^2+r+1.

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

The three corner triangles ABC,\triangle ABC, CDE,\triangle CDE, and EFA\triangle EFA each have area 121rsin120=r34.\frac12\cdot1\cdot r\cdot\sin120^\circ=\frac{r\sqrt3}{4}.

Thus the hexagon has area 34(r2+r+1)\dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}(r^2+r+1) +3r34+3\cdot\dfrac{r\sqrt3}{4} =34(r2+4r+1).=\dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}(r^2+4r+1).

The condition [ACE]=70%[ABCDEF][ACE]=70\%\cdot[ABCDEF] gives r2+r+1=710(r2+4r+1),r^2+r+1=\dfrac{7}{10}(r^2+4r+1), so r26r+1=0.r^2-6r+1=0.

By Vieta’s formulas, the sum of the possible values of rr is 6.6.

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}

Difficulty rating: 2070
Small Hint:

Each move has length 1,2,1,\sqrt2, or 3\sqrt3

Big Hint:

There are only 44 space diagonals, so the remaining moves are at most face diagonals

Solution:

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

There are only 44 space diagonals in the cube, so at most 44 moves can have length 3.\sqrt3. The other 44 moves have length at most 2.\sqrt2.

This upper bound is attainable, for example by alternating space diagonals and face diagonals around the vertices.

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 zeros. What is the smallest possible value of a?a?

7878

8888

9898

108108

118118

Difficulty rating: 2070
Small Hint:

The roots multiply to 20102010 and sum to aa

Big Hint:

Put 6767 alone, then split 3030 into two factors with smallest sum

Solution:

Let the roots be positive integers rst.r\le s\le t. By Vieta’s formulas, rst=2010rst=2010 and a=r+s+t.a=r+s+t.

Since 2010=23567,2010=2\cdot3\cdot5\cdot67, one root must be divisible by 67.67. If that root is larger than 67,67, then it is at least 134,134, which is already worse than the construction below.

Thus take t=67t=67 and minimize r+sr+s with rs=30.rs=30. The factor pair with smallest sum is 55 and 6,6, so a=5+6+67=78.a=5+6+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

Difficulty rating: 2160
Small Hint:

Choose the six circle points used as endpoints of the three chords

Big Hint:

For six points in order, only the three opposite-pair chords make the interior triangle

Solution:

An interior triangle is formed by three chords that pairwise intersect inside the circle. Such a triangle uses six distinct endpoints on the circle.

Conversely, for any six chosen points in circular order, exactly one set of three chords pairs opposite endpoints so that the three chords intersect pairwise inside the circle.

Therefore the number of triangles is (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

Difficulty rating: 2240
Small Hint:

The first n1n-1 draws must be white, then the nnth draw red

Big Hint:

The white probabilities telescope: 1223n1n\dfrac12\cdot\dfrac23\cdots\dfrac{n-1}{n}

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

Difficulty rating: 2390
Small Hint:

Remove the factors making trailing zeroes, then work modulo 100100

Big Hint:

Use congruences modulo 44 and modulo 2525 to pin down the last two digits

Solution:

The number of trailing zeroes in 90!90! is 905+9025=21.\left\lfloor\dfrac{90}{5}\right\rfloor+\left\lfloor\dfrac{90}{25}\right\rfloor=21. Let N=90!1021.N=\dfrac{90!}{10^{21}}.

There are still more than two factors of 22 left after removing 1021,10^{21}, so N0(mod4).N\equiv0 \pmod4.

Let AA be the product of factors of 90!90! not divisible by 5,5, and let BB be the product of the factors divisible by 5.5. Grouping residues modulo 2525 gives A1(mod25)A\equiv1\pmod{25} and B5211(mod25).\dfrac{B}{5^{21}}\equiv-1\pmod{25}.

Therefore 90!5211(mod25).\dfrac{90!}{5^{21}}\equiv-1\pmod{25}. Since 2212(mod25),2^{21}\equiv2\pmod{25}, N=90!521221N=\dfrac{90!}{5^{21}\cdot2^{21}} 13\equiv-13 12(mod25).\equiv12\pmod{25}.

The number congruent to 0(mod4)0\pmod4 and 12(mod25)12\pmod{25} is 12(mod100),12\pmod{100}, so the last two nonzero digits form 12.12.

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

Difficulty rating: 2440
Small Hint:

Build the smallest possible sequence backwards from 00

Big Hint:

At each reverse step, add the smallest square that the greedy rule would subtract

Solution:

We can work backwards starting with 0.0. From this, we can add on 121^2 to get 1.1.

We can again add on 121^2 to get 2.2. Again, adding on 121^2 gives us 3.3.

If we add on 121^2 now, we get 4,4, but then 121^2 is not the greatest square less than or equal to 4.4.

Then adding on 222^2 gives us 7.7. Continuing until there are eight terms in the forward sequence gives 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.