1990 AMC 8 Problem 24

Attempt Problem 24 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.

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

24.

Three triangles and a diamond balance nine dots. Also, one triangle balances a diamond and a dot. How many dots will balance two diamonds?
11
22
33
44
55
Answer: C
Concepts:system of equationssubstitution
Small hint:
Let a triangle weigh tt, a diamond dd, and a dot 11; write the two balance conditions as equations
Big hint:
From t=d+1t = d + 1 and 3t+d=93t + d = 9, substitute to solve for dd, then double it
Solution:
Let a triangle, diamond, and dot weigh tt, dd, and 11. The conditions give 3t+d=93t + d = 9 and t=d+1t = d + 1.
Substituting, 3(d+1)+d=93(d+1) + d = 9, so 4d+3=94d + 3 = 9 and d=32d = \dfrac32. Then two diamonds weigh 2d=32d = 3 dots.
Thus, the correct answer is C .
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