2009 AMC 12A Problem 3

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 3 of the 2009 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2009 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:fractionratio and proportion

Difficulty rating: 1050

3.

What number is one third of the way from 14\dfrac{1}{4} to 34?\dfrac{3}{4}?

13\dfrac{1}{3}

512\dfrac{5}{12}

12\dfrac{1}{2}

712\dfrac{7}{12}

23\dfrac{2}{3}

Solution:

The gap is 3414=12.\dfrac{3}{4} - \dfrac{1}{4} = \dfrac{1}{2}. One third of the way adds 1312=16.\dfrac{1}{3} \cdot \dfrac{1}{2} = \dfrac{1}{6}.

So the number is 14+16=312+212=512.\dfrac{1}{4} + \dfrac{1}{6} = \dfrac{3}{12} + \dfrac{2}{12} = \dfrac{5}{12}.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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