2000 AMC 12 Problem 3

Attempt Problem 3 of the 2000 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 2000 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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3.

Each day, Jenny ate 20%20\% of the jellybeans that were in her jar at the beginning of that day. At the end of the second day, 3232 remained. How many jellybeans were in the jar originally?

4040

5050

5555

6060

7575

Answer: B
Concepts:percentagework backwards
Difficulty rating: 1080
Solution:

Since 20%20\% is eaten each day, 80%80\% remains at the end of each day. If xx is the original number, then (0.8)2x=32. (0.8)^2 x = 32.

Solving gives 0.64x=32,0.64x = 32, so x=50.x = 50.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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