1989 AMC 8 Problem 20

Attempt Problem 20 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).

20.

The figure shown may be folded along the lines to form a number cube. Three faces come together at each corner of the cube. What is the largest sum of three numbers whose faces come together at a corner?
1111
1212
1313
1414
1515
Answer: D
Concepts:net (3D geometry)optimization
Small hint:
A corner uses three faces that are mutually adjacent, so no two of them can be opposite faces
Big hint:
Folding the net, the opposite face pairs are 11 & 3,3, 22 & 5,5, and 44 & 6;6; take the larger of each pair
Solution:
When the net is folded, the pairs of opposite faces are 11 and 3,3, 22 and 5,5, and 44 and 6.6. Three faces meeting at a corner must come one from each opposite pair.
To maximize the sum, take the larger number from each pair: 3,3, 5,5, and 6.6. These three faces do meet at a corner, and their sum is 3+5+6=14.3 + 5 + 6 = 14.
Thus, the correct answer is D .
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