2022 AMC 8 Problem 16

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 16 of the 2022 AMC 8, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2022 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:meansystem of equations

Difficulty rating: 1100

16.

Four numbers are written in a row. The average of the first two is 21,21, the average of the middle two is 26,26, and the average of the last two is 30.30. What is the average of the first and last of the numbers?

2424

2525

2626

2727

2828

Solution:

Let the numbers be a,b,c,da,b,c,d in order.

Since the average of aa and bb is 21,21, we know their sum is 212=42.21\cdot2 = 42.
Since the average of cc and dd is 30,30, we know their sum is 302=60.30\cdot2 = 60.
Since a+b=42a+b = 42 and c+d=60,c+d = 60 , we know a+b+c+d=42+60=102\begin{align*} a+b+c+d &= 42 + 60\\ &= 102 \end{align*}

Now, with the average of bb and cc being 26,26, we know their sum is 262=52.26\cdot2=52. This means b+c=52.b+c = 52.

Subtracting this result from the sum of all the terms yields a+d=50.a+d =50.
Since a+d2=25,\dfrac{a+d}{2}=25, our answer is 25.25.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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