2024 AMC 12B Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2024 AMC 12B 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 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

A list of 99 real numbers consists of 1,1, 2.2,2.2, 3.2,3.2, 5.2,5.2, 6.2,6.2, and 7,7, as well as x,y,zx, y, z with xyz.x \le y \le z. The range of the list is 7,7, and the mean and median are both positive integers. How many ordered triples (x,y,z)(x, y, z) are possible?

11

22

33

44

infinitely many

Answer: C
Concepts:meanmedian (data)rangecasework
Difficulty rating: 1600
Solution:

The six fixed numbers sum to 24.824.8 and span [1,7].[1,7]. There are three possible arrangements of the overall extremes.

If the extremes are 00 and 7,7, then x=0x=0 and z7.z\le7. The only possible integer means are 33 and 4,4, requiring y+z=2.2y+z=2.2 or 11.2.11.2. The first makes the median 2.2.2.2. In the second, an integer median forces y=5,y=5, hence z=6.2.z=6.2. This gives (0,5,6.2).(0,5,6.2).

If the extremes are 11 and 8,8, then z=8z=8 and the integer mean forces x+y=3.2x+y=3.2 or 12.2.12.2. The first makes the median 3.2;3.2; the second has an integer median only for x=6, y=6.2.x=6,\ y=6.2. This gives (6,6.2,8).(6,6.2,8).

Finally, if both extremes are new, write x=t, z=t+7x=t,\ z=t+7 with 0<t<1.0\lt t\lt1. The mean must be 4,4, so y=4.22t.y=4.2-2t. The median is the fourth number among 1,2.2,3.2,5.2,6.2,7,y;1,2.2,3.2,5.2,6.2,7,y; it is an integer only when y=4,y=4, giving t=0.1.t=0.1. Thus the third triple is (0.1,4,7.1),(0.1,4,7.1), and there are exactly 33 in all.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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