1990 AMC 8 Problem 16

Attempt Problem 16 of the 1990 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 1990 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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16.

What is the value of the following expression?
1990−1980+1970−1960+⋯−20+10 \begin{aligned} &1990 - 1980 + 1970 - 1960 \\ &\quad {}+ \cdots - 20 + 10 \end{aligned}
−990-990
−10-10
990990
10001000
19901990
Answer: D
Concepts:pairing and grouping
Small hint:
Group the terms in pairs: (1990−1980),(1970−1960),…(1990 - 1980), (1970 - 1960), \ldots
Big hint:
Each pair equals 1010; count the pairs and remember the leftover +10+10 at the end
Solution:
Group the terms as (1990−1980)(1990 - 1980) +(1970−1960)+ (1970 - 1960) +⋯+ \cdots +(30−20)+ (30 - 20) +10.+ 10. Each parenthesized pair equals 1010.
The first elements 1990,1970,…,301990, 1970, \ldots, 30 number 9999, so there are 9999 pairs, giving 990990, plus the leftover +10+10 at the end for a total of 10001000.
Thus, the correct answer is D .
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