2017 AMC 10A Problem 2

Question

Pablo buys popsicles for his friends. The store sells single popsicles for

\$1

each,

3

-popsicle boxes for

\$2

each, and

5

-popsicle boxes for

\$3.

What is the greatest number of popsicles that Pablo can buy with

\$8?

8

11

12

13

15

Compare popsicles per dollar for the three buying options

First decide the best use of

\$6

, then spend the remaining

\$2

The

\$3

boxes give us the most popsicles per dollar, so we want to buy as many of those as possible.

We can buy two of those, getting

5 \cdot 2 = 10

popsicles with

\$8 - \$6 = \$2

remaining.

The

\$1

single popsicles are the worst deal, so Pablo should spend the rest of his money on the

3

-popsicle box.

He then ends up with

10 + 3 = 13

popsicles.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

Problem 2 in other years