1989 AMC 8 Problem 16

Attempt Problem 16 of the 1989 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 1989 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

16.

In how many ways can 4747 be written as the sum of two primes?
00
11
22
33
more than 33
Answer: A
Concepts:primeparity
Small hint:
4747 is odd, so one of the two primes must be even
Big hint:
The only even prime is 2,2, which would force the other prime to be 4545
Solution:
Since 4747 is odd, a sum of two primes equal to 4747 needs one even prime and one odd prime. The only even prime is 2.2.
That would require the other number to be 47−2=45,47 - 2 = 45, but 45=9×545 = 9 \times 5 is not prime. So there is no way.
Thus, the correct answer is A .
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.