2024 AMC 10B Problem 15

Attempt Problem 15 of the 2024 AMC 10B below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2024 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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15.

A list of 99 real numbers consists of 1,1, 2.2,2.2, 3.2,3.2, 5.2,5.2, 6.2,6.2, 7,7, as well as x,y,zx, y, z with xyz.x \le y \le z. The range of the list is 7,7, and the mean and median are both positive integers. How many ordered triples (x,y,z)(x, y, z) are possible?

11

22

33

44

infinitely many

Answer: C
Concepts:meanmedian (data)rangecasework
Difficulty rating: 1730
Solution:

The six fixed numbers total 24.8.24.8. If the mean is the integer k,k, then x+y+z=9k24.8.x+y+z=9k-24.8. Because the fixed entries already run from 11 to 7,7, the range condition gives three cases.

If z7,z\le7, then x=0.x=0. The bounds on y+zy+z force k=3k=3 or 4.4. For k=3,k=3, the median is 2.2;2.2; for k=4,k=4, we have y+z=11.2,y+z=11.2, so y4.2y\ge4.2 and the median is integral only when y=5,y=5, giving (x,y,z)=(0,5,6.2).(x,y,z)=(0,5,6.2).

If x1,x\ge1, then z=8.z=8. Here k=4k=4 gives median 3.2.3.2. For k=5,k=5, we have x+y=12.2;x+y=12.2; the median is integral only when x=6,x=6, giving (6,6.2,8).(6,6.2,8).

The remaining case has 0<x<10<x<1 and z=x+7.z=x+7. The total lies between 31.831.8 and 41.8,41.8, so k=4k=4 and y=4.22x.y=4.2-2x. The median can be an integer only when y=4,y=4, giving (0.1,4,7.1).(0.1,4,7.1). Hence exactly 33 ordered triples work. Thus, C is the correct answer.

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