1950 AMC 12 Problem 31

Attempt Problem 31 of the 1950 AMC 12 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 1950 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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31.

John ordered 44 pairs of black socks and some additional pairs of blue socks. The price of the black socks per pair was twice that of the blue. When the order was filled, it was found that the number of pairs of the two colors had been interchanged. This increased the bill by 50%.50\%. The ratio of the number of pairs of black socks to the number of pairs of blue socks in the original order was:

4:14:1

2:12:1

1:41:4

1:21:2

1:81:8

Answer: C
Concepts:moneyratio and proportionlinear equation
Difficulty rating: 1560
Small Hint:

Let a blue pair cost pp and let nn be the original number of blue pairs

Big Hint:

Compare the original bill (8+n)p(8+n)p with the interchanged bill (2n+4)p(2n+4)p

Solution:

Let a blue pair cost p,p, so a black pair costs 2p,2p, and let nn be the original number of blue pairs. The original bill is (8+n)p.(8+n)p. After the quantities are interchanged, the bill is (2n+4)p.(2n+4)p. The latter is 50%50\% greater, so 2n+4=32(n+8). 2n+4=\frac32(n+8). Thus n=16,n=16, and the original black-to-blue ratio is 4:16=1:4.4:16=1:4.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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