2017 AMC 8 Problem 15

Attempt Problem 15 of the 2017 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 2017 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

15.

In the arrangement of letters and numerals below, by how many different paths can one spell AMC8\mathrm{AMC8}? Beginning at the AA in the middle, a path allows only moves from one letter to an adjacent (above, below, left, or right, but not diagonal) letter. One example of such a path is traced in the picture.
8 8
9 9
12 12
24 24
36 36
Answer: D
Concepts:multiplication principle
Small hint:
Count choices one step at a time from the central AA.
Big hint:
From each MM, count adjacent CC’s, then from each CC, count adjacent 88’s.
Video solution:
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Written solution:
Starting from A,A, there are 44 ways to reach an M.M. From each M,M, there are 33 ways to reach a C.C. From each C,C, there are 22 ways to reach an 8.8. Multiplying all these possibilities, we get 4⋅3⋅2=24.4 \cdot 3 \cdot 2 = 24.
Thus, D is the correct answer.
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