2008 AMC 12B Exam Solutions

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All of the real AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME problems in our complete solution collection are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

1.

A basketball player made 55 baskets during a game. Each basket was worth either 22 or 33 points. How many different numbers could represent the total points scored by the player?

22

33

44

55

66

Concepts:counting integers in a range

Difficulty rating: 920

Solution:

The total ranges from 52=105 \cdot 2 = 10 (all two-pointers) to 53=155 \cdot 3 = 15 (all three-pointers). Swapping one two-pointer for a three-pointer raises the total by exactly 1,1, so every integer in between occurs.

The possible totals are 10,11,12,13,14,15,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, which is 66 values.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

2.

A 4×44 \times 4 block of calendar dates is shown. The order of the numbers in the second row is to be reversed. Then the order of the numbers in the fourth row is to be reversed. Finally, the numbers on each diagonal are to be added. What will be the positive difference between the two diagonal sums?

22

44

66

88

1010

Difficulty rating: 1020

Solution:

Reversing the second and fourth rows gives the array with rows 1234,1\,2\,3\,4, 111098,11\,10\,9\,8, 15161718,15\,16\,17\,18, and 25242322.25\,24\,23\,22.

The main diagonal sums to 1+10+17+22=50,1 + 10 + 17 + 22 = 50, and the other diagonal sums to 4+9+16+25=54.4 + 9 + 16 + 25 = 54.

The positive difference is 5450=4.54 - 50 = 4.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

3.

A semipro baseball league has teams with 2121 players each. League rules state that a player must be paid at least $15,000,\$15{,}000, and that the total of all players' salaries for each team cannot exceed $700,000.\$700{,}000. What is the maximum possible salary, in dollars, for a single player?

270,000270{,}000

385,000385{,}000

400,000400{,}000

430,000430{,}000

700,000700{,}000

Difficulty rating: 1100

Solution:

One player earns the most when the other 2020 players each receive the minimum salary of $15,000.\$15{,}000.

Thus the maximum salary is $700,00020$15,000=$700,000$300,000=$400,000.\$700{,}000 - 20 \cdot \$15{,}000 = \$700{,}000 - \$300{,}000 = \$400{,}000.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

4.

On circle O,O, points CC and DD are on the same side of diameter AB,\overline{AB}, AOC=30,\angle AOC = 30^\circ, and DOB=45.\angle DOB = 45^\circ. What is the ratio of the area of the smaller sector CODCOD to the area of the circle?

29\dfrac{2}{9}

14\dfrac{1}{4}

518\dfrac{5}{18}

724\dfrac{7}{24}

310\dfrac{3}{10}

Difficulty rating: 1160

Solution:

Since AOC,\angle AOC, COD,\angle COD, and DOB\angle DOB fill the straight angle over diameter AB,\overline{AB}, COD=1803045=105. \angle COD = 180^\circ - 30^\circ - 45^\circ = 105^\circ.

The sector's share of the circle is 105360=724.\dfrac{105^\circ}{360^\circ} = \dfrac{7}{24}.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

5.

A class collects $50\$50 to buy flowers for a classmate who is in the hospital. Roses cost $3\$3 each, and carnations cost $2\$2 each. No other flowers are to be used. How many different bouquets could be purchased for exactly $50?\$50?

11

77

99

1616

1717

Difficulty rating: 1270

Solution:

Let rr be the number of roses and cc the number of carnations, so 3r+2c=503r + 2c = 50 with r,c0.r, c \ge 0.

Because 2c2c and 5050 are even, 3r3r must be even, forcing rr to be even. The largest possible rr is 1616 (since 317>503 \cdot 17 \gt 50), so r{0,2,4,,16}.r \in \{0, 2, 4, \ldots, 16\}.

That gives 99 values of r,r, each determining a bouquet.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

6.

Postman Pete has a pedometer to count his steps. The pedometer records up to 9999999999 steps, then flips over to 0000000000 on the next step. Pete plans to determine his mileage for a year. On January 11 Pete sets the pedometer to 00000.00000. During the year, the pedometer flips from 9999999999 to 0000000000 forty-four times. On December 3131 the pedometer reads 50000.50000. Pete takes 18001800 steps per mile. Which of the following is closest to the number of miles Pete walked during the year?

25002500

30003000

35003500

40004000

45004500

Difficulty rating: 1350

Solution:

Each flip counts 100000100000 steps, so the year's steps total 44100000+50000=4,450,000. 44 \cdot 100000 + 50000 = 4{,}450{,}000.

At 18001800 steps per mile, the mileage is 4,450,00018002472,\dfrac{4{,}450{,}000}{1800} \approx 2472, which is closest to 2500.2500.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

7.

For real numbers aa and b,b, define a$b=(ab)2.a \$ b = (a - b)^2. What is (xy)2$(yx)2?(x - y)^2 \$ (y - x)^2?

00

x2+y2x^2 + y^2

2x22x^2

2y22y^2

4xy4xy

Difficulty rating: 1250

Solution:

Since (yx)2=(xy)2,(y - x)^2 = (x - y)^2, both inputs to the operation are the same value t=(xy)2.t = (x - y)^2.

Therefore (xy)2$(yx)2=t$t=(tt)2=0.(x - y)^2 \$ (y - x)^2 = t \$ t = (t - t)^2 = 0.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

8.

Points BB and CC lie on AD.\overline{AD}. The length of AB\overline{AB} is 44 times the length of BD,\overline{BD}, and the length of AC\overline{AC} is 99 times the length of CD.\overline{CD}. The length of BC\overline{BC} is what fraction of the length of AD?\overline{AD}?

136\dfrac{1}{36}

113\dfrac{1}{13}

110\dfrac{1}{10}

536\dfrac{5}{36}

15\dfrac{1}{5}

Difficulty rating: 1350

Solution:

Since AB=4BDAB = 4\,BD and AB+BD=AD,AB + BD = AD, we have 5BD=AD,5\,BD = AD, so BD=15AD.BD = \tfrac{1}{5}AD.

Likewise AC=9CDAC = 9\,CD with AC+CD=ADAC + CD = AD gives CD=110AD.CD = \tfrac{1}{10}AD.

Because BB and CC both measure from A,A,   BC=BDCD=15AD110AD=110AD.\;BC = BD - CD = \tfrac{1}{5}AD - \tfrac{1}{10}AD = \tfrac{1}{10}AD.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

9.

Points AA and BB are on a circle of radius 55 and AB=6.AB = 6. Point CC is the midpoint of the minor arc AB.AB. What is the length of the line segment AC?AC?

10\sqrt{10}

72\dfrac{7}{2}

14\sqrt{14}

15\sqrt{15}

44

Difficulty rating: 1500

Solution:

Let OO be the center and DD the point where OC\overline{OC} meets AB.\overline{AB}. Since CC is the midpoint of arc AB,AB, OC\overline{OC} is the perpendicular bisector of the chord, so AD=3.AD = 3.

In right triangle ADO,ADO, OD=5232=4,OD = \sqrt{5^2 - 3^2} = 4, so DC=OCOD=54=1.DC = OC - OD = 5 - 4 = 1.

Then in right triangle ADC,ADC, AC=AD2+DC2=32+12=10.AC = \sqrt{AD^2 + DC^2} = \sqrt{3^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt{10}.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

10.

Bricklayer Brenda would take 99 hours to build a chimney alone, and bricklayer Brandon would take 1010 hours to build it alone. When they work together, they talk a lot, and their combined output is decreased by 1010 bricks per hour. Working together, they build the chimney in 55 hours. How many bricks are in the chimney?

500500

900900

950950

10001000

19001900

Difficulty rating: 1530

Solution:

Let nn be the number of bricks. Alone, Brenda lays n9\tfrac{n}{9} bricks per hour and Brandon lays n10.\tfrac{n}{10}. Together, their rate is n9+n1010.\tfrac{n}{9} + \tfrac{n}{10} - 10.

Working for 55 hours completes the chimney: 5(n9+n1010)=n. 5\left(\tfrac{n}{9} + \tfrac{n}{10} - 10\right) = n. Expanding, 5n9+5n1050=n,\tfrac{5n}{9} + \tfrac{5n}{10} - 50 = n, so 95n90n=50,\tfrac{95n}{90} - n = 50, giving 5n90=50.\tfrac{5n}{90} = 50.

Hence n=900.n = 900.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

11.

A cone-shaped mountain has its base on the ocean floor and has a height of 80008000 feet. The top 18\tfrac{1}{8} of the volume of the mountain is above water. What is the depth of the ocean at the base of the mountain, in feet?

40004000

2000(42)2000(4 - \sqrt{2})

60006000

64006400

70007000

Solution:

The part above the water is a cone similar to the whole mountain, with volume 18\tfrac{1}{8} of the total. Since volume scales as the cube of length, the above-water cone's height is 183=12\sqrt[3]{\tfrac{1}{8}} = \tfrac{1}{2} of the full height.

So the above-water height is 800012=40008000 \cdot \tfrac{1}{2} = 4000 feet.

The ocean depth at the base is the submerged height, 80004000=40008000 - 4000 = 4000 feet.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

12.

For each positive integer n,n, the mean of the first nn terms of a sequence is n.n. What is the 20082008th term of the sequence?

20082008

40154015

40164016

4,030,0564{,}030{,}056

4,032,0644{,}032{,}064

Concepts:meansummation

Difficulty rating: 1500

Solution:

Since the mean of the first nn terms is n,n, their sum is nn=n2.n \cdot n = n^2.

The nnth term is the difference of consecutive sums, n2(n1)2=2n1.n^2 - (n-1)^2 = 2n - 1.

For n=2008,n = 2008, the term is 220081=4015.2 \cdot 2008 - 1 = 4015.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

13.

Vertex EE of equilateral ABE\triangle ABE is in the interior of unit square ABCD.ABCD. Let RR be the region consisting of all points inside ABCDABCD and outside ABE\triangle ABE whose distance from AD\overline{AD} is between 13\tfrac{1}{3} and 23.\tfrac{2}{3}. What is the area of R?R?

125372\dfrac{12 - 5\sqrt{3}}{72}

125336\dfrac{12 - 5\sqrt{3}}{36}

318\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{18}

339\dfrac{3 - \sqrt{3}}{9}

312\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{12}

Difficulty rating: 1730

Solution:

Place A=(0,0),A = (0,0), B=(1,0),B = (1,0), C=(1,1),C = (1,1), D=(0,1),D = (0,1), so AD\overline{AD} lies along the yy-axis and distance from AD\overline{AD} is the xx-coordinate. The region lies in the strip 13x23,\tfrac13 \le x \le \tfrac23, which within the square has area 13.\tfrac13.

Equilateral ABE\triangle ABE has E=(12,32),E = \left(\tfrac12, \tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\right), with side AEAE on y=3xy = \sqrt3\,x and side BEBE on y=3(1x).y = \sqrt3(1 - x). The area of the triangle inside the strip is 1/31/23xdx+1/22/33(1x)dx=21/31/23xdx=5336. \int_{1/3}^{1/2} \sqrt3\,x\,dx + \int_{1/2}^{2/3} \sqrt3(1 - x)\,dx = 2\int_{1/3}^{1/2}\sqrt3\,x\,dx = \frac{5\sqrt3}{36}.

Therefore [R]=135336=125336. [R] = \frac13 - \frac{5\sqrt3}{36} = \frac{12 - 5\sqrt3}{36}.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

14.

A circle has a radius of log10(a2)\log_{10}(a^2) and a circumference of log10(b4).\log_{10}(b^4). What is logab?\log_a b?

14π\dfrac{1}{4\pi}

1π\dfrac{1}{\pi}

π\pi

2π2\pi

102π10^{2\pi}

Difficulty rating: 1630

Solution:

The circumference is 2π2\pi times the radius, so log10(b4)=2πlog10(a2). \log_{10}(b^4) = 2\pi \log_{10}(a^2).

Rewriting, 4log10b=4πlog10a,4\log_{10} b = 4\pi \log_{10} a, hence log10b=πlog10a.\log_{10} b = \pi \log_{10} a.

Therefore logab=log10blog10a=π.\log_a b = \dfrac{\log_{10} b}{\log_{10} a} = \pi.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

15.

On each side of a unit square, an equilateral triangle of side length 11 is constructed. On each new side of each equilateral triangle, another equilateral triangle of side length 11 is constructed. The interiors of the square and the 1212 triangles have no points in common. Let RR be the region formed by the union of the square and all the triangles, and let SS be the smallest convex polygon that contains R.R. What is the area of the region that is inside SS but outside R?R?

14\dfrac{1}{4}

24\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{4}

11

3\sqrt{3}

232\sqrt{3}

Difficulty rating: 1660

Solution:

The convex hull SS differs from RR only near the four corners of the square, where a small triangular gap forms. Each gap triangle has two sides of length 11 (outer edges of adjacent triangles).

The angle between those two sides is 36090460=30,360^\circ - 90^\circ - 4 \cdot 60^\circ = 30^\circ, so each gap has area 1211sin30=14. \tfrac12 \cdot 1 \cdot 1 \cdot \sin 30^\circ = \tfrac14.

The total area is 414=1.4 \cdot \tfrac14 = 1.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

16.

A rectangular floor measures aa feet by bb feet, where aa and bb are positive integers with b>a.b \gt a. An artist paints a rectangle on the floor with the sides of the rectangle parallel to the sides of the floor. The unpainted part of the floor forms a border of width 11 foot around the painted rectangle and occupies half the area of the entire floor. How many possibilities are there for the ordered pair (a,b)?(a, b)?

11

22

33

44

55

Difficulty rating: 1660

Solution:

The painted rectangle measures (a2)(a - 2) by (b2)(b - 2) and has half the area of the floor, so ab=2(a2)(b2). ab = 2(a - 2)(b - 2).

Expanding gives 0=ab4a4b+8,0 = ab - 4a - 4b + 8, and adding 88 yields (a4)(b4)=8.(a - 4)(b - 4) = 8.

With b>a>0,b \gt a \gt 0, the only valid factor pairs of 88 are (a4,b4)=(1,8)(a - 4, b - 4) = (1, 8) and (2,4),(2, 4), giving (a,b)=(5,12)(a, b) = (5, 12) and (6,8).(6, 8).

There are 22 possibilities.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

17.

Let A,A, BB and CC be three distinct points on the graph of y=x2y = x^2 such that line ABAB is parallel to the xx-axis and ABC\triangle ABC is a right triangle with area 2008.2008. What is the sum of the digits of the yy-coordinate of C?C?

1616

1717

1818

1919

2020

Difficulty rating: 1800

Solution:

Since ABAB is horizontal, take A=(a,a2)A = (a, a^2) and B=(a,a2),B = (-a, a^2), and let C=(c,c2).C = (c, c^2). The right angle cannot be at AA or BB (that would need c=±ac = \pm a), so it is at C.C.

Then CACBCA \perp CB gives (c+a)(ca)=1,(c + a)(c - a) = -1, so a2c2=1.a^2 - c^2 = 1. This value is the height of the triangle above AB.\overline{AB}.

The area is 12ABheight=12(2a)(1)=a=2008,\tfrac12 \cdot AB \cdot \text{height} = \tfrac12 (2|a|)(1) = |a| = 2008, so a2=20082=4,032,064a^2 = 2008^2 = 4{,}032{,}064 and the yy-coordinate of CC is c2=a21=4,032,063.c^2 = a^2 - 1 = 4{,}032{,}063.

Its digit sum is 4+0+3+2+0+6+3=18.4 + 0 + 3 + 2 + 0 + 6 + 3 = 18.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

18.

A pyramid has a square base ABCDABCD and vertex E.E. The area of square ABCDABCD is 196,196, and the areas of ABE\triangle ABE and CDE\triangle CDE are 105105 and 91,91, respectively. What is the volume of the pyramid?

392392

1966196\sqrt{6}

3922392\sqrt{2}

3923392\sqrt{3}

784784

Difficulty rating: 1910

Solution:

The square has side 196=14.\sqrt{196} = 14. Let FF and GG be the feet of the perpendiculars from EE to ABAB and CD.CD. Then FG=14,FG = 14, EF=210514=15,EF = \tfrac{2 \cdot 105}{14} = 15, and EG=29114=13.EG = \tfrac{2 \cdot 91}{14} = 13.

Triangle EFGEFG lies in a plane perpendicular to the base, so its altitude to FGFG is the pyramid's height. By Heron's formula with s=21,s = 21, its area is 21687=84,\sqrt{21 \cdot 6 \cdot 8 \cdot 7} = 84, so the altitude to FGFG is 28414=12.\tfrac{2 \cdot 84}{14} = 12.

The volume is 1319612=784.\tfrac13 \cdot 196 \cdot 12 = 784.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

19.

A function ff is defined by f(z)=(4+i)z2+αz+γf(z) = (4 + i)z^2 + \alpha z + \gamma for all complex numbers z,z, where α\alpha and γ\gamma are complex numbers and i2=1.i^2 = -1. Suppose that f(1)f(1) and f(i)f(i) are both real. What is the smallest possible value of α+γ?|\alpha| + |\gamma|?

11

2\sqrt{2}

22

222\sqrt{2}

44

Difficulty rating: 1990

Solution:

Let α=a+bi\alpha = a + bi and γ=c+di.\gamma = c + di. Then f(1)=(4+a+c)+(1+b+d)if(1) = (4 + a + c) + (1 + b + d)i and f(i)=(4b+c)+(1+a+d)i.f(i) = (-4 - b + c) + (-1 + a + d)i.

Both being real forces 1+b+d=01 + b + d = 0 and 1+a+d=0,-1 + a + d = 0, i.e. a=1da = 1 - d and b=1d.b = -1 - d.

Hence α+γ=(1d)2+(1+d)2+c2+d2=2+2d2+c2+d2, |\alpha| + |\gamma| = \sqrt{(1 - d)^2 + (1 + d)^2} + \sqrt{c^2 + d^2} = \sqrt{2 + 2d^2} + \sqrt{c^2 + d^2}, which is smallest when c=d=0,c = d = 0, giving 2.\sqrt{2}.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

20.

Michael walks at the rate of 55 feet per second on a long straight path. Trash pails are located every 200200 feet along the path. A garbage truck travels at 1010 feet per second in the same direction as Michael and stops for 3030 seconds at each pail. As Michael passes a pail, he notices the truck ahead of him just leaving the next pail. How many times will Michael and the truck meet?

44

55

66

77

88

Solution:

Number the pails so Michael is at pail 00 and the truck at pail 11 at time 0.0. Michael reaches pail nn at 40n40n seconds. The truck spends 2020 seconds between pails and 3030 stopped, so it leaves pail nn at 50(n1)50(n - 1) seconds and (for n2n \ge 2) arrives at 50(n1)30.50(n - 1) - 30.

Michael is at pail nn while the truck is there exactly when 50(n1)3040n50(n1),50(n-1) - 30 \le 40n \le 50(n-1), which simplifies to 5n8.5 \le n \le 8. So they meet at pail 55 (at t=200,t = 200, as the truck departs), pail 66 (t=240t = 240), pail 77 (t=280t = 280), and pail 88 (t=320,t = 320, as the truck arrives).

Between pails 66 and 77 the truck (moving at 1010 ft/s) pulls ahead of and is then overtaken by Michael once more, adding one crossing. In all, they meet 55 times.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

21.

Two circles of radius 11 are to be constructed as follows. The center of circle AA is chosen uniformly and at random from the line segment joining (0,0)(0, 0) to (2,0).(2, 0). The center of circle BB is chosen uniformly and at random, and independently of the first choice, from the line segment joining (0,1)(0, 1) to (2,1).(2, 1). What is the probability that circles AA and BB intersect?

2+24\dfrac{2 + \sqrt{2}}{4}

33+28\dfrac{3\sqrt{3} + 2}{8}

2212\dfrac{2\sqrt{2} - 1}{2}

2+34\dfrac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{4}

4334\dfrac{4\sqrt{3} - 3}{4}

Difficulty rating: 2040

Solution:

Let the centers be (a,0)(a, 0) and (b,1)(b, 1) with a,b[0,2].a, b \in [0, 2]. The circles (radius 11 each) intersect iff the distance between centers is at most 2:2: (ab)2+12    ab3. \sqrt{(a - b)^2 + 1} \le 2 \iff |a - b| \le \sqrt{3}.

The pairs (a,b)(a, b) fill the square [0,2]2[0, 2]^2 of area 4.4. The failing region ab>3|a - b| \gt \sqrt3 is two right triangles, each with legs 23,2 - \sqrt3, of total area (23)2=743.(2 - \sqrt3)^2 = 7 - 4\sqrt3.

So the favorable area is 4(743)=433,4 - (7 - 4\sqrt3) = 4\sqrt3 - 3, and the probability is 4334. \frac{4\sqrt3 - 3}{4}.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

22.

A parking lot has 1616 spaces in a row. Twelve cars arrive, each of which requires one parking space, and their drivers choose their spaces at random from among the available spaces. Auntie Em then arrives in her SUV, which requires 22 adjacent spaces. What is the probability that she is able to park?

1120\dfrac{11}{20}

47\dfrac{4}{7}

81140\dfrac{81}{140}

35\dfrac{3}{5}

1728\dfrac{17}{28}

Solution:

After the 1212 cars park, 44 spaces are empty, equally likely to be any 44 of the 16,16, for (164)=1820\binom{16}{4} = 1820 equally likely sets.

Auntie Em fails exactly when no two empty spaces are adjacent. The number of ways to place 44 non-adjacent empties among 1616 is (134)=715.\binom{13}{4} = 715.

So the probability she can park is 17151820=11051820=1728. 1 - \frac{715}{1820} = \frac{1105}{1820} = \frac{17}{28}.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

23.

The sum of the base-1010 logarithms of the divisors of 10n10^n is 792.792. What is n?n?

1111

1212

1313

1414

1515

Difficulty rating: 1860

Solution:

The sum of the base-1010 logs of the divisors is the log of their product. A number NN with d(N)d(N) divisors has divisor product Nd(N)/2.N^{d(N)/2}.

Here N=10nN = 10^n has d(N)=(n+1)2d(N) = (n + 1)^2 divisors, so the product is (10n)(n+1)2/2(10^n)^{(n+1)^2/2} and its log is n(n+1)22=792. \frac{n(n + 1)^2}{2} = 792.

Thus n(n+1)2=1584=11144=11122,n(n + 1)^2 = 1584 = 11 \cdot 144 = 11 \cdot 12^2, giving n=11.n = 11.

Thus, the correct answer is A.

24.

Let A0=(0,0).A_0 = (0, 0). Distinct points A1,A2,A_1, A_2, \ldots lie on the xx-axis, and distinct points B1,B2,B_1, B_2, \ldots lie on the graph of y=x.y = \sqrt{x}. For every positive integer n,n, An1BnAnA_{n-1}B_nA_n is an equilateral triangle. What is the least nn for which the length A0An100?A_0A_n \ge 100?

1313

1515

1717

1919

2121

Difficulty rating: 2270

Solution:

Let an=A0Ana_n = A_0A_n and cn=anan1c_n = a_n - a_{n-1} be the base of the nnth equilateral triangle. Its apex BnB_n lies above the midpoint at height 32cn,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}c_n, and being on y=xy = \sqrt{x} gives (32cn)2=an1+cn2,i.e.34cn2=an1+cn2. \left(\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}c_n\right)^2 = a_{n-1} + \tfrac{c_n}{2}, \quad\text{i.e.}\quad \tfrac34 c_n^2 = a_{n-1} + \tfrac{c_n}{2}.

Writing the same relation for the previous triangle and subtracting gives cn=cn1+23,c_n = c_{n-1} + \tfrac23, and with c1=23c_1 = \tfrac23 we get cn=2n3.c_n = \tfrac{2n}{3}. Summing, an=k=1n2k3=n(n+1)3. a_n = \sum_{k=1}^n \frac{2k}{3} = \frac{n(n + 1)}{3}.

We need n(n+1)3100,\tfrac{n(n + 1)}{3} \ge 100, i.e. n(n+1)300.n(n + 1) \ge 300. Since 1617=27216 \cdot 17 = 272 and 1718=306,17 \cdot 18 = 306, the least such nn is 17.17.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

25.

Let ABCDABCD be a trapezoid with ABCD,AB \parallel CD, AB=11,AB = 11, BC=5,BC = 5, CD=19,CD = 19, and DA=7.DA = 7. Bisectors of A\angle A and D\angle D meet at P,P, and bisectors of B\angle B and C\angle C meet at Q.Q. What is the area of hexagon ABQCDP?ABQCDP?

28328\sqrt{3}

30330\sqrt{3}

32332\sqrt{3}

35335\sqrt{3}

36336\sqrt{3}

Difficulty rating: 2230

Solution:

Because ABCD,AB \parallel CD, A+D=180,\angle A + \angle D = 180^\circ, so the bisectors of A\angle A and D\angle D meet at right angles, APD=90.\angle APD = 90^\circ. Then the midpoint MM of AD\overline{AD} is the circumcenter of right triangle APD,APD, giving MP=MA=MDMP = MA = MD and MPAB.MP \parallel AB. The same holds for the midpoint NN of BC\overline{BC} with Q,Q, so M,P,Q,NM, P, Q, N are collinear on the midline.

The midline has length AB+CD2=15,\tfrac{AB + CD}{2} = 15, while MP=AD2=72MP = \tfrac{AD}{2} = \tfrac72 and QN=BC2=52.QN = \tfrac{BC}{2} = \tfrac52. Hence PQ=157252=9.PQ = 15 - \tfrac72 - \tfrac52 = 9.

Drawing AEBCAE \parallel BC with EE on CD\overline{CD} gives AE=5AE = 5 and DE=CDAB=8.DE = CD - AB = 8. In ADE,\triangle ADE, cos(AED)=82+5272285=12,\cos(\angle AED) = \tfrac{8^2 + 5^2 - 7^2}{2 \cdot 8 \cdot 5} = \tfrac12, so AED=60\angle AED = 60^\circ and the trapezoid's height is AF=5sin60=532.AF = 5\sin 60^\circ = \tfrac{5\sqrt3}{2}.

The segment PQPQ sits at half the height, so the hexagon splits into two trapezoids and [ABQCDP]=AF4(AB+CD+2PQ)=53/24(11+19+18)=303. [ABQCDP] = \frac{AF}{4}\bigl(AB + CD + 2\,PQ\bigr) = \frac{5\sqrt3/2}{4}(11 + 19 + 18) = 30\sqrt3.

Thus, the correct answer is B.