2008 AMC 12B Problem 3

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 3 of the 2008 AMC 12B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2008 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:optimizationextremal argument

Difficulty rating: 1100

3.

A semipro baseball league has teams with 2121 players each. League rules state that a player must be paid at least $15,000,\$15{,}000, and that the total of all players' salaries for each team cannot exceed $700,000.\$700{,}000. What is the maximum possible salary, in dollars, for a single player?

270,000270{,}000

385,000385{,}000

400,000400{,}000

430,000430{,}000

700,000700{,}000

Solution:

One player earns the most when the other 2020 players each receive the minimum salary of $15,000.\$15{,}000.

Thus the maximum salary is $700,00020$15,000=$700,000$300,000=$400,000.\$700{,}000 - 20 \cdot \$15{,}000 = \$700{,}000 - \$300{,}000 = \$400{,}000.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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