2010 AMC 12B Problem 14

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 14 of the 2010 AMC 12B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2010 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:optimization inequality extremal argument

Difficulty rating: 1670

14.

Let $a, b, c, d,$ and $e$ be positive integers with $a+b+c+d+e=2010,$ and let $M$ be the largest of the sums $a+b,$ $b+c,$ $c+d,$ and $d+e.$ What is the smallest possible value of $M?$

$670$

$671$

$802$

$803$

$804$

Solution:

Each of $a+b,$ $d+e,$ and $c$ is at most $M$ (note $c\le c+d\le M$ ). Adding, $2010=(a+b)+c+(d+e)\le3M,$ so $M\ge670.$

If $M=670,$ then $c=670,$ but then $b+c\ge671\gt M,$ a contradiction. Hence $M\ge671.$

The value $671$ is reached by $(a,b,c,d,e)=(669,1,670,1,669),$ whose consecutive-pair sums are $670,671,671,670.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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