2023 AMC 8 Problem 25

Attempt Problem 25 of the 2023 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 2023 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

25.

Fifteen integers a1,a_1, a2,a_2, a3,a_3, ,\cdots, a15a_{15} are arranged in order on a number line. The integers are equally spaced and have the property that

1a110, 1 \leq a_1 \leq 10,

13a220, 13 \leq a_2 \leq 20,

and

241a15250. 241 \leq a_{15} \leq 250.

What is the sum of the digits of a14?a_{14}?

88

99

1010

1111

1212

Answer: A
Concepts:arithmetic sequencebounding to limit casesdigits
Difficulty rating: 1950
Small Hint:

Let dd be the common difference

Big Hint:

Use the widest possible bounds for a1a_1 and a15a_{15} to force dd

Video solution:
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Written solution:

Let dd be the common difference. Using the largest possible value 1010 for a1a_1 and the smallest possible value 241241 for a15,a_{15}, we have d2411014=16.5. d \geq \dfrac{241 - 10}{14} = 16.5. Since all the numbers are integers, dd must be at least 17.17.

Using the smallest possible value 11 for a1a_1 and the largest possible value 250250 for a15,a_{15}, we have d25011417.8. d \leq \dfrac{250 - 1}{14} \approx 17.8. Since all the numbers are integers, dd is at most 17.17. Therefore, d=17.d=17.

Note that 1714=238.17 \cdot 14 = 238. Since a15a_{15} is at least 241,241, a1a_1 must be at least 3.3.

On the other hand, if a1a_1 were greater than 3,3, then a2=a1+17a_2=a_1+17 would be greater than 20,20, which is not allowed.

Now we know that a1=3a_1 = 3 and d=17.d = 17. This tells us that a14=3+1317=224. a_{14} = 3 + 13 \cdot 17 = 224.

Therefore, sum of the digits is 2+2+4=8.2 + 2 + 4 = 8.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

Problem 24#24
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