2009 AMC 8 Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 2009 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 2009 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

1.

Bridget bought a bag of apples at the grocery store. She gave half of the apples to Ann. Then she gave Cassie 33 apples, keeping 44 apples for herself. How many apples did Bridget buy?
33
44
77
1111
1414
Answer: E
Concepts:work backwards
Small hint:
Work backward from the apples Bridget kept and gave to Cassie.
Big hint:
Those apples were the half not given to Ann.
Solution:
We can work backwards, starting with the 44 apples that Bridget kept for herself. Adding the 33 apples that she gave Cassie, she now has 77 apples.
Finally, we multiply this value by 22 since she gave half of her initial apples to Ann. 7⋅2=14,7 \cdot 2 = 14, so Bridget started off with 1414 apples.
Thus, E is the correct answer.
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.