1985 AMC 8 Problem 15

Attempt Problem 15 of the 1985 AMC 8 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 1985 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

15.

How many whole numbers between 100100 and 400400 contain the digit 2?2?
100100
120120
138138
140140
148148
Answer: C
Concepts:digitsinclusion-exclusioncasework
Small hint:
Every number from 200200 to 299299 already contains a 22
Big hint:
For 100100–199199 and 300300–399,399, count those with a 22 in the tens or units place, subtracting the ones counted twice
Solution:
All 100100 numbers from 200200 to 299299 contain a 2.2.
Among 100100 to 199,199, there are 1010 with a 22 in the tens place and 1010 with a 22 in the units place, but 122122 is counted twice, giving 10+10−1=19.10 + 10 - 1 = 19. The range 300300 to 399399 similarly contributes 19.19.
The total is 100+19+19=138.100 + 19 + 19 = 138.
Thus, the correct answer is C .
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