1992 AMC 8 Problem 19

Attempt Problem 19 of the 1992 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 1992 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

19.

The distance between the 55th and 2626th exits on an interstate highway is 118118 miles. If any two exits are at least 55 miles apart, then what is the largest number of miles there can be between two consecutive exits that are between the 55th and 2626th exits?
88
1313
1818
4747
9898
Answer: C
Concepts:extremal argument
Small hint:
Between the 55th and 2626th exits there are 2121 gaps
Big hint:
To make one gap as large as possible, make the other 2020 gaps as small as allowed, 55 miles each
Solution:
From the 55th exit to the 2626th exit there are 26−5=2126 - 5 = 21 gaps between consecutive exits, each at least 55 miles.
To maximize one gap, make the other 2020 gaps exactly 55 miles, using 20×5=10020 \times 5 = 100 miles. The remaining gap is 118−100=18118 - 100 = 18 miles.
Thus, the correct answer is C .
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.