2010 AMC 12A Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 2010 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 2010 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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5.

Halfway through a 100100-shot archery tournament, Chelsea leads by 5050 points. For each shot a bullseye scores 1010 points, with other possible scores being 8,8, 4,4, 2,2, and 00 points. Chelsea always scores at least 44 points on each shot. If Chelsea's next nn shots are bullseyes she will be guaranteed victory. What is the minimum value for n?n?

3838

4040

4242

4444

4646

Answer: C
Concepts:inequalitybounding to limit cases
Difficulty rating: 1350
Solution:

The opponent can score at most 5010=50050\cdot10=500 on the last 5050 shots. Since Chelsea leads by 50,50, she must score more than 50050=450500-50=450 points on her remaining shots to guarantee victory.

Her nn bullseyes give 10n10n points, and her other 50n50-n shots give at least 4(50n)4(50-n) points, so 10n+4(50n)>450.10n+4(50-n)\gt450. This simplifies to 6n>250,6n\gt250, i.e. n>4123.n\gt41\tfrac23.

Therefore Chelsea needs at least 4242 bullseyes.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

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