2012 AMC 8 Problem 20

Attempt Problem 20 of the 2012 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2012 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

20.

What is the correct ordering of the three numbers 519, \frac{5}{19} , 721, \frac{7}{21} , and 923, \frac{9}{23} , in increasing order?
923<721<519 \dfrac{9}{23} \lt \dfrac{7}{21} \lt \dfrac{5}{19}
519<721<923 \dfrac{5}{19} \lt \dfrac{7}{21} \lt \dfrac{9}{23}
923<519<721\dfrac{9}{23} \lt \dfrac{5}{19} \lt \dfrac{7}{21}
519<923<721 \dfrac{5}{19} \lt \dfrac{9}{23} \lt \dfrac{7}{21}
721<519<923\dfrac{7}{21} \lt \dfrac{5}{19} \lt \dfrac{9}{23}
Answer: B
Concepts:fractioninequality
Small hint:
Compare the fractions to 13\frac{1}{3}.
Big hint:
Write each fraction as 13\frac{1}{3} plus or minus a small amount.
Video solution:
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Written solution:
The middle fraction is 721=13\dfrac{7}{21}=\dfrac13. Also, 519<13\dfrac{5}{19}\lt\dfrac13 because 3⋅5=15<193\cdot5=15\lt19, while 923>13\dfrac{9}{23}\gt\dfrac13 because 3⋅9=27>233\cdot9=27\gt23. Therefore 519<721<923.\dfrac{5}{19}\lt\dfrac{7}{21}\lt\dfrac{9}{23}.
Thus, the answer is B .
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