2002 AMC 8 Problem 2

Attempt Problem 2 of the 2002 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 2002 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

2.

How many different combinations of $5\$5 bills and $2\$2 bills can be used to make a total of $17?\$17? Order does not matter in this problem.
22
33
44
55
66
Answer: A
Concepts:Diophantine Equationparitycasework
Small hint:
Because $17\$17 is odd, the number of $5\$5 bills must be odd.
Big hint:
Try the possible odd numbers of $5\$5 bills before the total goes over $17.\$17.
Solution:
Since the total $17\$17 is odd, the number of $5\$5 bills must be odd.
One $5\$5 bill leaves $12,\$12, which is six $2\$2 bills. Three $5\$5 bills leave $2,\$2, which is one $2\$2 bill. Five $5\$5 bills is too much.
Therefore, there are 22 combinations.
Thus, A is the correct answer.
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