2020 AMC 10A Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2020 AMC 10A below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2020 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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9.

A single bench section at a school event can hold either 77 adults or 1111 children. When NN bench sections are connected end to end, an equal number of adults and children seated together will occupy all the bench space. What is the least possible positive integer value of N?N?

99

1818

2727

3636

7777

Answer: B
Concepts:least common multipledivisibility
Difficulty rating: 1070
Video solution:
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Written solution:

If the equal number of adults and children is PP, then the adults use P/7P/7 bench sections and the children use P/11P/11 bench sections. Thus N=P(17+111)=18P77N=P\left(\dfrac17+\dfrac1{11}\right)=\dfrac{18P}{77}.

The least positive integer occurs when P=77P=77, giving N=18N=18. Thus, B is the correct answer.

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