2019 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.

Alicia had two containers. The first was 56\dfrac{5}{6} full of water and the second was empty. She poured all the water from the first container into the second container, at which point the second container was 34\dfrac{3}{4} full of water. What is the ratio of the volume of the first container to the volume of the second container?

58\dfrac{5}{8}

45\dfrac{4}{5}

78\dfrac{7}{8}

910\dfrac{9}{10}

1112\dfrac{11}{12}

Concepts:ratio and proportionfraction

Difficulty rating: 880

Solution:

The volume of water is the same before and after, so 56V1=34V2.\dfrac{5}{6}V_1=\dfrac{3}{4}V_2.

Then V1V2=3/45/6=3465=910. \dfrac{V_1}{V_2}=\dfrac{3/4}{5/6}=\dfrac{3}{4}\cdot\dfrac{6}{5}=\dfrac{9}{10}.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

2.

Consider the statement, "If nn is not prime, then n2n-2 is prime." Which of the following values of nn is a counterexample to this statement?

1111

1515

1919

2121

2727

Difficulty rating: 990

Solution:

A counterexample needs nn not prime (so the hypothesis holds) and n2n-2 not prime (so the conclusion fails).

Among the choices, 2727 is not prime and 272=2527-2=25 is not prime. The primes 1111 and 1919 fail the hypothesis, and 152=13,15-2=13, 212=1921-2=19 are prime.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

3.

Which one of the following rigid transformations (isometries) maps the line segment AB\overline{AB} onto the line segment AB\overline{A'B'} so that the image of A(2,1)A(-2,1) is A(2,1)A'(2,-1) and the image of B(1,4)B(-1,4) is B(1,4)?B'(1,-4)?

reflection in the yy-axis

counterclockwise rotation around the origin by 9090^\circ

translation by 33 units to the right and 55 units down

reflection in the xx-axis

clockwise rotation about the origin by 180180^\circ

Difficulty rating: 1080

Solution:

Each point maps by (x,y)(x,y):(x,y)\to(-x,-y): indeed (2,1)(2,1)(-2,1)\to(2,-1) and (1,4)(1,4).(-1,4)\to(1,-4).

The map (x,y)(x,y)(x,y)\to(-x,-y) is a 180180^\circ rotation about the origin.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

4.

A positive integer nn satisfies the equation (n+1)!+(n+2)!=440n!.(n+1)!+(n+2)!=440\cdot n!. What is the sum of the digits of n?n?

22

55

1010

1212

1515

Difficulty rating: 1200

Solution:

Factor the left side: (n+1)!+(n+2)!=(n+1)![1+(n+2)]=(n+1)!(n+3). (n+1)!+(n+2)!=(n+1)!\,[1+(n+2)]=(n+1)!\,(n+3).

Dividing both sides by n!n! and using (n+1)!=(n+1)n!(n+1)!=(n+1)\,n! gives (n+1)(n+3)=440. (n+1)(n+3)=440.

So n2+4n437=0,n^2+4n-437=0, which factors as (n19)(n+23)=0,(n-19)(n+23)=0, giving n=19.n=19. Its digit sum is 1+9=10.1+9=10.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

5.

Each piece of candy in a store costs a whole number of cents. Casper has exactly enough money to buy either 1212 pieces of red candy, 1414 pieces of green candy, 1515 pieces of blue candy, or nn pieces of purple candy. A piece of purple candy costs 2020 cents. What is the smallest possible value of n?n?

1818

2121

2424

2525

2828

Difficulty rating: 1200

Solution:

Let MM be Casper's money in cents. Since he can exactly buy 12,12, 14,14, or 1515 whole-cent pieces, MM is a multiple of lcm(12,14,15)=420.\operatorname{lcm}(12,14,15)=420.

Purple candy costs 2020 cents, so n=M20.n=\dfrac{M}{20}. The smallest MM is 420,420, giving n=42020=21.n=\dfrac{420}{20}=21.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

6.

In a given plane, points AA and BB are 1010 units apart. How many points CC are there in the plane such that the perimeter of ABC\triangle ABC is 5050 units and the area of ABC\triangle ABC is 100100 square units?

00

22

44

88

infinitely many

Difficulty rating: 1420

Solution:

The perimeter condition gives CA+CB=5010=40,CA+CB=50-10=40, so CC lies on an ellipse with foci A,BA,B and major axis 2a=40.2a=40. Thus a=20a=20 and c=5,c=5, so the semi-minor axis is b=a2c2=37519.36. b=\sqrt{a^2-c^2}=\sqrt{375}\approx19.36.

For area 100100 with base AB=10,AB=10, the height from CC must be 210010=20.\dfrac{2\cdot100}{10}=20. But the greatest possible height on the ellipse is b19.36<20,b\approx19.36\lt20, so no such CC exists.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

7.

What is the sum of all real numbers xx for which the median of the numbers 4,6,8,17,4,6,8,17, and xx is equal to the mean of those five numbers?

5-5

00

55

154\dfrac{15}{4}

354\dfrac{35}{4}

Difficulty rating: 1280

Solution:

The mean is 4+6+8+17+x5=35+x5.\dfrac{4+6+8+17+x}{5}=\dfrac{35+x}{5}.

If x6,x\le6, the median is 6,6, so 35+x5=6\dfrac{35+x}{5}=6 gives x=5,x=-5, which is consistent.

If 6<x<8,6\lt x\lt8, the median is x,x, so 35+x5=x\dfrac{35+x}{5}=x gives x=8.75,x=8.75, not in range. If x8,x\ge8, the median is 8,8, so 35+x5=8\dfrac{35+x}{5}=8 gives x=5,x=5, not in range.

The only solution is x=5,x=-5, so the sum is 5.-5.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

8.

Let f(x)=x2(1x)2.f(x)=x^2(1-x)^2. What is the value of the sum

f ⁣(12019)f ⁣(22019)+f ⁣(32019)f ⁣(42019)++f ⁣(20172019)f ⁣(20182019)? f\!\left(\tfrac{1}{2019}\right)-f\!\left(\tfrac{2}{2019}\right)+f\!\left(\tfrac{3}{2019}\right) -f\!\left(\tfrac{4}{2019}\right)+\cdots+f\!\left(\tfrac{2017}{2019}\right)-f\!\left(\tfrac{2018}{2019}\right)?

00

120194\dfrac{1}{2019^4}

2018220194\dfrac{2018^2}{2019^4}

2020220194\dfrac{2020^2}{2019^4}

11

Difficulty rating: 1560

Solution:

Since f(1x)=(1x)2x2=f(x),f(1-x)=(1-x)^2x^2=f(x), we have f ⁣(k2019)=f ⁣(2019k2019).f\!\left(\tfrac{k}{2019}\right)=f\!\left(\tfrac{2019-k}{2019}\right).

In the sum, the term with index kk has sign (1)k+1,(-1)^{k+1}, while the term with index 2019k2019-k equals it in value but has sign (1)2019k+1=(1)k,(-1)^{2019-k+1}=(-1)^{k}, the opposite.

Every term cancels with its partner, so the total is 0.0.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

9.

For how many integral values of xx can a triangle of positive area be formed having side lengths log2x,\log_2 x, log4x,\log_4 x, and 3?3?

5757

5959

6161

6262

6363

Solution:

Let t=log2x.t=\log_2 x. Then log4x=t2,\log_4 x=\dfrac{t}{2}, and the sides are t, t2, 3.t,\ \dfrac{t}{2},\ 3.

The triangle inequalities give t+t2>3t+\dfrac{t}{2}\gt3 (so t>2t\gt2) and t2+3>t\dfrac{t}{2}+3\gt t (so t<6t\lt6); the third inequality is automatic.

Thus 2<log2x<6,2\lt\log_2 x\lt6, i.e. 4<x<64.4\lt x\lt64. The integers 5,6,,635,6,\ldots,63 number 59.59.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

10.

The figure below is a map showing 1212 cities and 1717 roads connecting certain pairs of cities. Paula wishes to travel along exactly 1313 of those roads, starting at city AA and ending at city L,L, without traveling along any portion of a road more than once. (Paula is allowed to visit a city more than once.) How many different routes can Paula take?

00

11

22

33

44

Difficulty rating: 1640

Solution:

A route uses 1313 roads as an open trail from AA to L,L, so on the used roads exactly AA and LL have odd degree and every other city has even degree.

In the full map the corner cities AA and LL already have even degree 2,2, and six edge-cities have odd degree 3.3. Removing 44 roads must flip the parity of A,A, L,L, and those six cities, and of no others. This forces the four removed roads to pair up those eight cities in the only possible way, so the set of 1313 used roads is uniquely determined.

Counting the Eulerian trails from AA to LL on that graph gives exactly 44 routes.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

11.

How many unordered pairs of edges of a given cube determine a plane?

1212

2828

3636

4242

6666

Difficulty rating: 1640

Solution:

Two edges determine a plane exactly when they are coplanar, that is, parallel or intersecting.

The 1212 edges split into 33 directions of 44 parallel edges, giving 3(42)=183\binom{4}{2}=18 parallel pairs. Edges sharing a vertex give 8(32)=248\binom{3}{2}=24 intersecting pairs.

The total is 18+24=42.18+24=42.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

12.

Right triangle ACDACD with right angle at CC is constructed outwards on the hypotenuse AC\overline{AC} of isosceles right triangle ABCABC with leg length 1,1, as shown, so that the two triangles have equal perimeters. What is sin(2BAD)?\sin(2\angle BAD)?

13\dfrac{1}{3}

22\dfrac{\sqrt2}{2}

34\dfrac{3}{4}

79\dfrac{7}{9}

32\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}

Difficulty rating: 1700

Solution:

Triangle ABCABC has perimeter 1+1+2=2+21+1+\sqrt2=2+\sqrt2 and AC=2.AC=\sqrt2. In ACD\triangle ACD let CD=d,CD=d, so AD=2+d2AD=\sqrt{2+d^2} and equal perimeters give 2+d+2+d2=2+2. \sqrt2+d+\sqrt{2+d^2}=2+\sqrt2.

Then 2+d2=2d,\sqrt{2+d^2}=2-d, so 2+d2=44d+d2,2+d^2=4-4d+d^2, giving d=12d=\dfrac12 and AD=32.AD=\dfrac32.

Since BAC=45,\angle BAC=45^\circ, writing θ=CAD\theta=\angle CAD gives 2BAD=90+2θ,2\angle BAD=90^\circ+2\theta, so sin(2BAD)=cos2θ.\sin(2\angle BAD)=\cos 2\theta. With tanθ=CDAC=122,\tan\theta=\dfrac{CD}{AC}=\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt2}, we get cos2θ=1tan2θ1+tan2θ=1181+18=79. \cos2\theta=\dfrac{1-\tan^2\theta}{1+\tan^2\theta}=\dfrac{1-\tfrac18}{1+\tfrac18}=\dfrac{7}{9}.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

13.

A red ball and a green ball are randomly and independently tossed into bins numbered with the positive integers so that for each ball, the probability that it is tossed into bin kk is 2k2^{-k} for k=1,2,3,k=1,2,3,\ldots What is the probability that the red ball is tossed into a higher-numbered bin than the green ball?

14\dfrac{1}{4}

27\dfrac{2}{7}

13\dfrac{1}{3}

38\dfrac{3}{8}

37\dfrac{3}{7}

Solution:

The probability the balls land in the same bin is k=1(2k)2=k=14k=1/411/4=13. \sum_{k=1}^\infty \left(2^{-k}\right)^2=\sum_{k=1}^\infty 4^{-k}=\dfrac{1/4}{1-1/4}=\dfrac13.

By symmetry, the red ball being higher and the green ball being higher are equally likely, so each has probability 1132=13. \dfrac{1-\tfrac13}{2}=\dfrac13.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

14.

Let SS be the set of all positive integer divisors of 100,000.100{,}000. How many numbers are the product of two distinct elements of S?S?

9898

100100

117117

119119

121121

Difficulty rating: 1830

Solution:

Since 100,000=2555,100{,}000=2^5\cdot5^5, every divisor is 2a5b2^a5^b with 0a,b5.0\le a,b\le5. A product of two divisors is 2x5y2^x5^y with 0x,y10,0\le x,y\le10, and every such pair (x,y)(x,y) is attainable, giving 1111=12111\cdot11=121 values.

We need two \emph{distinct} divisors. A value 2x5y2^x5^y is forced to be a divisor times itself only when both xx and yy have a unique split, which happens exactly when x,y{0,10}.x,y\in\{0,10\}. Those 44 corner values (1, 210, 510, 2105101,\ 2^{10},\ 5^{10},\ 2^{10}5^{10}) cannot use two distinct divisors.

The count is 1214=117.121-4=117.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

15.

As shown in the figure, line segment AD\overline{AD} is trisected by points BB and CC so that AB=BC=CD=2.AB=BC=CD=2. Three semicircles of radius 1,1, AEB,AEB, BFC,BFC, and CGD,CGD, have their diameters on AD,\overline{AD}, and are tangent to line EGEG at E,E, F,F, and G,G, respectively. A circle of radius 22 has its center on F.F. The area of the region inside the circle but outside the three semicircles, shaded in the figure, can be expressed in the form

abπc+d, \dfrac{a}{b}\cdot\pi-\sqrt{c}+d,

where a,b,c,a,b,c, and dd are positive integers and aa and bb are relatively prime. What is a+b+c+d?a+b+c+d?

1313

1414

1515

1616

1717

Difficulty rating: 1830

Solution:

Put A=(0,0), B=(2,0), C=(4,0), D=(6,0),A=(0,0),\ B=(2,0),\ C=(4,0),\ D=(6,0), so the semicircles are centered at (1,0),(3,0),(5,0)(1,0),(3,0),(5,0) and their tops are E=(1,1), F=(3,1), G=(5,1).E=(1,1),\ F=(3,1),\ G=(5,1). The circle has center F=(3,1)F=(3,1) and radius 2,2, so it passes through EE and G,G, and has area 4π.4\pi.

The middle semicircle BFCBFC lies entirely inside the circle, removing area π2.\dfrac{\pi}{2}. By symmetry the outer semicircles each contribute the same overlap R=7π122+32R=\dfrac{7\pi}{12}-2+\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2} inside the circle.

The shaded area is 4ππ22R=73π3+4. 4\pi-\dfrac{\pi}{2}-2R=\dfrac{7}{3}\pi-\sqrt3+4. Hence a=7, b=3, c=3, d=4,a=7,\ b=3,\ c=3,\ d=4, so a+b+c+d=17.a+b+c+d=17.

Thus, E is the correct answer.

16.

There are lily pads in a row numbered 00 to 11,11, in that order. There are predators on lily pads 33 and 6,6, and a morsel of food on lily pad 10.10. Fiona the frog starts on pad 0,0, and from any given lily pad, has a 12\dfrac12 chance to hop to the next pad, and an equal chance to jump 22 pads. What is the probability that Fiona reaches pad 1010 without landing on either pad 33 or pad 6?6?

15256\dfrac{15}{256}

116\dfrac{1}{16}

15128\dfrac{15}{128}

18\dfrac{1}{8}

14\dfrac{1}{4}

Difficulty rating: 1760

Solution:

Let p(n)p(n) be the probability of landing on pad nn without first landing on pad 33 or 6.6. Each pad sends probability 12\dfrac12 to the next pad and 12\dfrac12 two pads ahead, and pads 33 and 66 pass nothing on.

Then p(0)=1, p(1)=12, p(2)=34,p(0)=1,\ p(1)=\dfrac12,\ p(2)=\dfrac34, and (skipping 33) p(4)=38, p(5)=316,p(4)=\dfrac38,\ p(5)=\dfrac{3}{16}, then (skipping 66) p(7)=332, p(8)=364, p(9)=9128.p(7)=\dfrac{3}{32},\ p(8)=\dfrac{3}{64},\ p(9)=\dfrac{9}{128}.

Finally p(10)=12p(8)+12p(9)=3128+9256=15256. p(10)=\dfrac12 p(8)+\dfrac12 p(9)=\dfrac{3}{128}+\dfrac{9}{256}=\dfrac{15}{256}.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

17.

How many nonzero complex numbers zz have the property that 0,0, z,z, and z3,z^3, when represented by points in the complex plane, are the three distinct vertices of an equilateral triangle?

00

11

22

44

infinitely many

Difficulty rating: 1910

Solution:

The three points form an equilateral triangle iff z=z3=z3z.|z|=|z^3|=|z^3-z|. From z=z3=z3|z|=|z^3|=|z|^3 we get z=1.|z|=1.

Then z3z=zz21=z21,|z^3-z|=|z|\,|z^2-1|=|z^2-1|, so we need z21=1.|z^2-1|=1. Writing z=eiθ,z=e^{i\theta}, z21=2sinθ=1,|z^2-1|=2|\sin\theta|=1, so sinθ=12.|\sin\theta|=\dfrac12.

This gives θ=30,150,210,330,\theta=30^\circ,150^\circ,210^\circ,330^\circ, four values of z,z, all yielding distinct vertices.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

18.

Square pyramid ABCDEABCDE has base ABCD,ABCD, which measures 33 cm on a side, and altitude AE\overline{AE} perpendicular to the base, which measures 66 cm. Point PP lies on BE,\overline{BE}, one third of the way from BB to E;E; point QQ lies on DE,\overline{DE}, one third of the way from DD to E;E; and point RR lies on CE,\overline{CE}, two thirds of the way from CC to E.E. What is the area, in square centimeters, of PQR?\triangle PQR?

322\dfrac{3\sqrt2}{2}

332\dfrac{3\sqrt3}{2}

222\sqrt2

232\sqrt3

323\sqrt2

Difficulty rating: 1620

Solution:

Place A=(0,0,0), B=(3,0,0), C=(3,3,0), D=(0,3,0), E=(0,0,6).A=(0,0,0),\ B=(3,0,0),\ C=(3,3,0),\ D=(0,3,0),\ E=(0,0,6). Then P=(2,0,2),Q=(0,2,2),R=(1,1,4). P=(2,0,2),\quad Q=(0,2,2),\quad R=(1,1,4).

So PQ=(2,2,0)\vec{PQ}=(-2,2,0) and PR=(1,1,2),\vec{PR}=(-1,1,2), giving PQ×PR=(4,4,0).\vec{PQ}\times\vec{PR}=(4,4,0).

The area is 12(4,4,0)=1242=22.\dfrac12\bigl|(4,4,0)\bigr|=\dfrac12\cdot4\sqrt2=2\sqrt2.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

19.

Raashan, Sylvia, and Ted play the following game. Each starts with $1.\$1. A bell rings every 1515 seconds, at which time each of the players who currently have money simultaneously chooses one of the other two players independently and at random and gives $1\$1 to that player. What is the probability that after the bell has rung 20192019 times, each player will have $1?\$1? (For example, Raashan and Ted may each decide to give $1\$1 to Sylvia, and Sylvia may decide to give her dollar to Ted, at which point Raashan will have $0,\$0, Sylvia will have $2,\$2, and Ted will have $1,\$1, and that is the end of the first round of play. In the second round Raashan has no money to give, but Sylvia and Ted might choose each other to give their $1\$1 to, and the holdings will be the same at the end of the second round.)

17\dfrac{1}{7}

14\dfrac{1}{4}

13\dfrac{1}{3}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

23\dfrac{2}{3}

Difficulty rating: 1980

Solution:

From (1,1,1),(1,1,1), each of the three players gives to one of two others, so there are 88 equally likely outcomes; only the 22 cyclic gift patterns return to (1,1,1),(1,1,1), a probability of 14.\dfrac14.

From a (2,1,0)(2,1,0) state the broke player gives nothing, and checking the 44 equally likely choices of the other two shows exactly one yields (1,1,1),(1,1,1), again probability 14.\dfrac14.

So after any ring the probability of (1,1,1)(1,1,1) is 14,\dfrac14, including after 20192019 rings.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

20.

Points A(6,13)A(6,13) and B(12,11)B(12,11) lie on circle ω\omega in the plane. Suppose that the tangent lines to ω\omega at AA and BB intersect at a point on the xx-axis. What is the area of ω?\omega?

83π8\dfrac{83\pi}{8}

21π2\dfrac{21\pi}{2}

85π8\dfrac{85\pi}{8}

43π4\dfrac{43\pi}{4}

87π8\dfrac{87\pi}{8}

Difficulty rating: 2050

Solution:

Let P=(x,0)P=(x,0) be the intersection. Equal tangent lengths give PA=PB,PA=PB, so (x6)2+132=(x12)2+112,(x-6)^2+13^2=(x-12)^2+11^2, yielding x=5x=5 and P=(5,0).P=(5,0).

The center O=(h,k)O=(h,k) satisfies OAPAOA\perp PA and OBPB.OB\perp PB. With PA=(1,13)PA=(1,13) and PB=(7,11),PB=(7,11), these give h+13k=175h+13k=175 and 7h+11k=205,7h+11k=205, so O=(374,514).O=\left(\dfrac{37}{4},\dfrac{51}{4}\right).

Then r2=OA2=(134)2+(14)2=17016=858,r^2=OA^2=\left(\dfrac{13}{4}\right)^2+\left(\dfrac14\right)^2=\dfrac{170}{16}=\dfrac{85}{8}, so the area is 85π8.\dfrac{85\pi}{8}.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

21.

How many quadratic polynomials with real coefficients are there such that the set of roots equals the set of coefficients? (For clarification: If the polynomial is ax2+bx+c, a0,ax^2+bx+c,\ a\neq0, and the roots are rr and s,s, then the requirement is that {a,b,c}={r,s}.\{a,b,c\}=\{r,s\}.)

33

44

55

66

infinitely many

Difficulty rating: 2220

Solution:

The set {a,b,c}\{a,b,c\} must equal the two-element set {r,s},\{r,s\}, so at least two coefficients coincide, and the roots are the two distinct coefficient values. By Vieta's formulas r+s=bar+s=-\dfrac{b}{a} and rs=ca.rs=\dfrac{c}{a}.

Working through the cases of which coefficients are equal yields the polynomials x2+x2,x^2+x-2, x2x,-x^2-x, x212x12,x^2-\dfrac12 x-\dfrac12, and ux2+1ux+uux^2+\dfrac1u x+u where uu is the unique real root of u3+u+1=0.u^3+u+1=0.

That is 44 polynomials in all.

Thus, B is the correct answer.

22.

Define a sequence recursively by x0=5x_0=5 and

xn+1=xn2+5xn+4xn+6 x_{n+1}=\dfrac{x_n^2+5x_n+4}{x_n+6}

for all nonnegative integers n.n. Let mm be the least positive integer such that

xm4+1220. x_m\le4+\dfrac{1}{2^{20}}.

In which of the following intervals does mm lie?

[9,26][9,26]

[27,80][27,80]

[81,242][81,242]

[243,728][243,728]

[729,)[729,\infty)

Difficulty rating: 2330

Solution:

Let an=xn4.a_n=x_n-4. A short computation gives an+1=xn+14=(xn+5)(xn4)xn+6=anxn+5xn+6. a_{n+1}=x_{n+1}-4=\dfrac{(x_n+5)(x_n-4)}{x_n+6}=a_n\cdot\dfrac{x_n+5}{x_n+6}.

Starting from a0=1,a_0=1, the terms stay positive and decrease. Because xnx_n decreases from 55 toward 4,4, each ratio xn+5xn+6\dfrac{x_n+5}{x_n+6} lies strictly between 910\dfrac{9}{10} and 1011.\dfrac{10}{11}.

Hence ama_m is squeezed between (910)m\left(\dfrac{9}{10}\right)^m and (1011)m.\left(\dfrac{10}{11}\right)^m. Solving am220a_m\le2^{-20} puts mm between about 132132 and 146,146, which lies in [81,242].[81,242].

Thus, C is the correct answer.

23.

How many sequences of 00s and 11s of length 1919 are there that begin with a 0,0, end with a 0,0, contain no two consecutive 00s, and contain no three consecutive 11s?

5555

6060

6565

7070

7575

Difficulty rating: 2050

Solution:

No two 00s are adjacent, so the 00s are separated by blocks of 11s, each of size 11 or 22 (never 33). If there are kk zeros, there are k1k-1 such blocks summing to 19k19-k ones.

The number of size-22 blocks is (19k)(k1)=202k,(19-k)-(k-1)=20-2k, which must satisfy 0202kk1,0\le20-2k\le k-1, i.e. 7k10.7\le k\le10.

Summing (k1202k)\binom{k-1}{20-2k} over k=7,8,9,10k=7,8,9,10 gives (66)+(74)+(82)+(90)=1+35+28+1=65.\binom66+\binom74+\binom82+\binom90=1+35+28+1=65.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

24.

Let ω=12+12i3.\omega=-\dfrac12+\dfrac12 i\sqrt3. Let SS denote all points in the complex plane of the form a+bω+cω2,a+b\omega+c\omega^2, where 0a1, 0b1,0\le a\le1,\ 0\le b\le1, and 0c1.0\le c\le1. What is the area of S?S?

123\dfrac12\sqrt3

343\dfrac34\sqrt3

323\dfrac32\sqrt3

12π3\dfrac12\pi\sqrt3

π\pi

Difficulty rating: 2390

Solution:

As a,b,ca,b,c range over [0,1],[0,1], the set SS is the Minkowski sum of the three unit segments along v1=1=(1,0), v2=ω=(12,32), v3=ω2=(12,32).v_1=1=(1,0),\ v_2=\omega=\left(-\dfrac12,\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\right),\ v_3=\omega^2=\left(-\dfrac12,-\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\right).

This is a zonogon whose area is the sum of the cross-product magnitudes over pairs. Each pair gives vi×vj=32.|v_i\times v_j|=\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}.

Therefore the area is 332=332.3\cdot\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}=\dfrac{3\sqrt3}{2}.

Thus, C is the correct answer.

25.

Let ABCDABCD be a convex quadrilateral with BC=2BC=2 and CD=6.CD=6. Suppose that the centroids of ABC,\triangle ABC, BCD,\triangle BCD, and ACD\triangle ACD form the vertices of an equilateral triangle. What is the maximum possible value of the area of ABCD?ABCD?

2727

16316\sqrt3

12+10312+10\sqrt3

9+1239+12\sqrt3

3030

Solution:

The centroids are A+B+C3, B+C+D3, A+C+D3.\dfrac{A+B+C}{3},\ \dfrac{B+C+D}{3},\ \dfrac{A+C+D}{3}. Their pairwise differences are AD3, BA3, BD3,\dfrac{A-D}{3},\ \dfrac{B-A}{3},\ \dfrac{B-D}{3}, so an equilateral centroid triangle forces AB=BD=DA;AB=BD=DA; that is, ABD\triangle ABD is equilateral with side s=BD.s=BD.

Splitting along BD,BD, [ABCD]=[ABD]+[BCD]=34s2+1226sinC, [ABCD]=[ABD]+[BCD]=\dfrac{\sqrt3}{4}s^2+\dfrac12\cdot2\cdot6\sin C, where C=BCD.C=\angle BCD. By the Law of Cosines s2=4024cosC,s^2=40-24\cos C, so [ABCD]=10363cosC+6sinC. [ABCD]=10\sqrt3-6\sqrt3\cos C+6\sin C.

The expression 6sinC63cosC6\sin C-6\sqrt3\cos C has maximum 62+(63)2=12,\sqrt{6^2+(6\sqrt3)^2}=12, so the greatest area is 103+12=12+103.10\sqrt3+12=12+10\sqrt3.

Thus, C is the correct answer.