2010 AMC 12A Problem 10

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Concepts:arithmetic sequencesystem of equations

Difficulty rating: 1410

10.

The first four terms of an arithmetic sequence are p,p, 9,9, 3pq,3p-q, and 3p+q.3p+q. What is the 20102010th term of this sequence?

80418041

80438043

80458045

80478047

80498049

Solution:

Consecutive terms differ by a common difference d.d. From the last two terms, d=(3p+q)(3pq)=2q.d=(3p+q)-(3p-q)=2q.

From the first two terms, 9p=d=2q,9-p=d=2q, and from the second and third, (3pq)9=d=2q.(3p-q)-9=d=2q. Solving this system gives p=5,p=5, q=2,q=2, and d=4.d=4.

The 20102010th term is p+2009d=5+20094=8041.p+2009d=5+2009\cdot4=8041.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

Problem 10 in Other Years