2024 AMC 12A Problem 3

Attempt Problem 3 of the 2024 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 2024 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

3.

The number 20242024 is written as the sum of not necessarily distinct two-digit numbers. What is the least number of two-digit numbers needed to write this sum?
2020
2121
2222
2323
2424
Answer: B
Concepts:optimizationbounding to limit cases
Small hint:
The largest two-digit number is 99,99, so many numbers are needed
Big hint:
20⋅99=1980,20\cdot99=1980, which falls short; can 2121 numbers reach exactly 2024?2024?
Solution:
Each number is at most 99,99, so kk numbers sum to at most 99k.99k. Since 99⋅20=1980<2024,99\cdot20=1980\lt2024, at least 2121 numbers are required. With 21,21, we can use twenty 9999s and one 4444: 20⋅99+44=1980+4420\cdot99+44=1980+44 =2024.=2024. Thus, the correct answer is B.
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