1996 AMC 8 Problem 4

Attempt Problem 4 of the 1996 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 1996 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

4.

What is the value of the following expression?
2+4+6+⋯+343+6+9+⋯+51\frac{2 + 4 + 6 + \cdots + 34}{3 + 6 + 9 + \cdots + 51}
13\dfrac{1}{3}
23\dfrac{2}{3}
32\dfrac{3}{2}
173\dfrac{17}{3}
343\dfrac{34}{3}
Answer: B
Concepts:arithmetic sequenceratio and proportion
Small hint:
Factor 22 out of the numerator and 33 out of the denominator
Big hint:
Both sums become the same multiple of 1+2+⋯+171 + 2 + \cdots + 17
Solution:
The numerator is 2(1+2+⋯+17)2(1 + 2 + \cdots + 17) and the denominator is 3(1+2+⋯+17).3(1 + 2 + \cdots + 17).
The common factor cancels, leaving 23.\dfrac{2}{3}.
Thus, the correct answer is B .
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