Question

Let $S$ be the set of points $(a, b)$ in the coordinate plane, where each of $a$ and $b$ may be $-1,$ $0,$ or $1.$ How many distinct lines pass through at least two members of $S?$

$8$

$20$

$24$

$27$

$36$

Answer: B

Concepts:lattice point combinations

Difficulty rating: 1540

Solution:

There are $\binom{9}{2} = 36$ pairs of points, and each pair determines a line.

However, there are three horizontal, three vertical, and two diagonal lines that each pass through three collinear points of $S.$ Each such line is counted $3$ times, an overcount of $2$ per line.

With $8$ such lines, the number of distinct lines is $36 - 2 \cdot 8 = 20.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

2004 AMC 12A Problem 13

Answer: B

Difficulty rating: 1540

Solution:

Problem 13 in Other Years