2005 AMC 12A Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 2005 AMC 12A 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 2005 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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8.

Let A,A, M,M, and CC be digits with (100A+10M+C)(A+M+C)=2005. \begin{aligned} &(100A + 10M + C) \\ &\quad {}\cdot (A + M + C) = 2005. \end{aligned} What is A?A?

11

22

33

44

55

Answer: D
Concepts:prime factorizationdigitsbounding to limit cases
Difficulty rating: 1350
Solution:

Since A+M+C9+9+9=27,A + M + C \le 9 + 9 + 9 = 27, and 2005=5401,2005 = 5 \cdot 401, the digit sum can only be 11 or 5.5. It cannot be 1,1, because then 100A+10M+C=2005>999.100A+10M+C=2005>999. Thus it must be the smaller nontrivial factor: 100A+10M+C=401,A+M+C=5. \begin{aligned} &100A + 10M + C = 401, \\ &\quad A + M + C = 5. \end{aligned}

Reading off the digits, A=4,A = 4, M=0,M = 0, and C=1.C = 1.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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