2005 AMC 8 Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 2005 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 2005 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

5.

Soda is sold in packs of 6,6, 1212 and 2424 cans. What is the minimum number of packs needed to buy exactly 9090 cans of soda?
44
55
66
88
1515
Answer: B
Concepts:optimization
Small hint:
Use as many 2424-packs as possible without going over 9090.
Big hint:
After three 2424-packs, finish the remaining cans with the fewest packs.
Solution:
Four packs cannot be enough. Four 2424-packs would contain 9696 cans, and replacing any 2424-pack by a smaller pack decreases the total by either 1212 or 1818 cans. There is no way to decrease 9696 by exactly 66 cans to reach 9090.
Five packs do work: three 2424-packs, one 1212-pack, and one 66-pack contain 3⋅24+12+6=903\cdot24+12+6=90 cans. Therefore, the minimum number is 55.
Thus, B is the correct answer.
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