Question

Let $S$ be the set of lattice points in the coordinate plane, both of whose coordinates are integers between $1$ and $30,$ inclusive. Exactly $300$ points in $S$ lie on or below a line with equation $y=mx.$ The possible values of $m$ lie in an interval of length $\dfrac{a}{b},$ where $a$ and $b$ are relatively prime positive integers. What is $a+b?$

$31$

$47$

$62$

$72$

$85$

Answer: E

Concepts:lattice point floor and ceiling functions

Difficulty rating: 2600

Solution:

For slope $m,$ column $x$ (with $1\le x\le 30$ ) contributes $\min(30,\lfloor mx\rfloor)$ points on or below $y=mx,$ and we need the total to equal $300.$

At $m=\tfrac23,$ the cap at $30$ is inactive and $\sum_{x=1}^{30}\lfloor 2x/3\rfloor=300.$ The count remains fixed until the next larger slope $y/x$ with $x\le30.$

If $y/x>2/3,$ then $3y-2x$ is a positive integer. The closest possibility has $3y-2x=1;$ maximizing $x\le30$ in this congruence gives $(y,x)=(19,28).$ Any numerator at least $2$ gives a larger gap. Hence the interval is $[\tfrac23,\tfrac{19}{28}),$ whose length is $\tfrac{19}{28}-\tfrac23=\tfrac1{84}.$

Since $\gcd(1,84)=1,$ $a+b=1+84=85.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

2021 AMC 12B Spring Problem 25

Answer: E

Difficulty rating: 2600

Solution:

Problem 25 in Other Years