2008 AMC 8 Problem 13

Attempt Problem 13 of the 2008 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 2008 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

13.

Mr. Harman needs to know the combined weight in pounds of three boxes he wants to mail. However, the only available scale is not accurate for weights less than 100100 pounds or more than 150150 pounds. So the boxes are weighed in pairs in every possible way. The results are 122,122, 125125 and 127127 pounds. What is the combined weight in pounds of the three boxes?
 160 \ 160
 170 \ 170
 187 \ 187
 195 \ 195
 354 \ 354
Answer: C
Concepts:system of equations
Small hint:
Each box appears in exactly two of the three pair weights.
Big hint:
Add the three pair weights, then divide by 2.2.
Solution:
Let the weights be a,a, b,b, c.c. We know {a+b=122a+c=125b+c=127.\begin{cases}a+b = 122\\a+c = 125\\b+c = 127.\end{cases} Adding all of this yields 2(a+b+c)=2(a+b+c) =122+125+127=374. 122+125+127=374. This makes a+b+c=187.a+b+c = 187.
Thus, the answer is C .
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