Minnesotata State University, Mankato

The 47th Annual High School Mathematics Contest

Answers and Solutions

Instruction for the Contest

1. You have 90 minutes to work for 30 questions and 2 tie breaker problems.

2. The last two Tie Breaker problems TB I and TB II will be used only to break
any possible ties that arise on the test.

3. This is a multiple choice test and there is no penality for a wrong answer.

4. The use of any computer, smartphone or calculator during the exam is NOT
permitted.

5. Submit your answer sheet or the booklet with answers to your math coach or
teacher at the end of the contest.

MA
TH

The Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer b e b d d c d e d e
Question 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Answer b a a b d a b d d b
Question 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Answer b e c d c e c b c c
Question TB I TB II
Answer e c

1
2

Minnesotata State University, Mankato

The 47th Annual High School Mathematics Contest
April 19, 2021

1. Alice sells an item at $10 less than the list price and receives 10% of her selling
price as her commission. Bob sells the same item at $20 less than the list price
and receives 20% of his selling price as his commission. If they both get the same
commission, then the list price in dollars is

a) $20

b) $30

c) $50

d) $70

e) $100

Answer: b)

Solution) If x is the list price, then 10% · (x − 10) = 20% · (x − 20) or equiv-
alently
10 20
· (x − 10) = · (x − 20) =⇒ x − 10 = 2(x − 20) =⇒ x = 30.
100 100

2. For the solution x, y and z of the folowing system of equations

x+y−z =0
y+z−x=4
z+x−y =2

find the product xyz.

a) −1

b) 0

c) 1

d) 2

e) 6
3

Answer: e)

Solution I) Adding three equations, we find that


(x + y) − z = 0 =⇒ (6 − z) − z = 0 =⇒ z = 3

x + y + z = 6 =⇒ (y + z) − x = 4 =⇒ (6 − x) − x = 4 =⇒ x = 1

(z + x) − y = 2 =⇒ (6 − y) − y = 2 =⇒ y = 2


and so the product is xyz = 1 · 2 · 3.

Solution II) Since the first equation is the same as z = x + y, we may work
with the second and third equations as follow
 
z = x + y
 z = x + y

y+z−x=0 =⇒ y + (x + y) − x = 4 =⇒ y = 2
 
z+x−y =2 (x + y) + x − y = 2 =⇒ x = 1
 

and obtain z = 1 + 2 = 3. The product is xyz = 1 · 2 · 3. Of course, there are many

other ways (including the Gaussian elimination method) to solve the system.

3. Andy’s lawn has twice as much area as Beth’s lawn and three times as much
area as Carlos’ lawn. Carlos’ lawn mower cuts half as fast as Beth’s mower and
one third as fast as Andy’s mower. If they all start to mow their lawns at the same
time, who will finish first?

a) Andy

b) Beth

c) Carlos

d) Andy and Carlos tie for first.

e) All three tie.

Answer: b)

Solution) We say Andy’s lawn has an area of A. Beth’s lawn thus has an area of
A A
2 , and Carlos’ lawn has an area of 3 . We say Andy’s lawn mower cuts at a speed
of v in the unit time . Carlos’ cuts at a speed of v3 , and Beth’s cuts at a speed of 2v
area
3 .
area
Each person’s lawn is cut at a time of speed . Andy’s lawn is cut in Av time, Beth’s
A A
3 A A
lawn is cut in 2
2v = 4 · v time, and Carlos’ lawn is cut in 3
v = v. Therefore, Beth
3 3
finishes first.

4. Many television screens are rectangles that are measured by the length of their
4

diagonals. The ratio of the width to the height in an old standard television screen
is 4 : 3.

diagonal
height

(width):(height)=4:3
width
The width of an old 27-inch television screen is closest, in inches, to which of the
following?

a) 20

b) 20.5

c) 21

d) 21.5

e) 22

Answer: d)

Solution) The triangle with hypotenuse as the diagonal is a right triangle and
so, by Pythagorean’s theorem, we have the ratios
(height): (length): (diagonal) = (3 : 4 : 5).
The horizontal length of the right triangle with hypotenuse 27 is
4
× 27 = 21.6 ≈ 21.5.
5

5. When 22021 is divided by 7, the remainder is

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4
5

e) 5

Answer: d)

Solution) Observe that 23 ≡ 1 mod 7. By division of 2021 by 3

2021 = 3 · 673 + 2
we find that
22021 ≡ 23·673+2
≡ (23 )673 · 22
≡ 1673 · 22
≡ 22
≡4 mod 7.
Remark) The problem is simplified (again because of the length of the exam) but
uses similar mathematical ideas. I wanted to avoid lengthy computation or Fer-
mat’s little theorem. Is the original problem easy? medium?

6. Each of the small circles in the figure has radius one. The innermost circle
is tangent to the six circles that surround it, and each of those circles is tangent to
the large circle and to its small-circle neighbors.

Find the area of the shaded region.

a) π

b) 1.5π

c) 2π

d) 3π
6

e) 3.5π

Answer: c)

Solution) The outer larger circle has radius 3 as shown in the figure below

• •
1 3

and so we find that

(the area of the shaded region) = (the area of the larger circle) − (the areas of the 7 smaller circles)
= π · 32 − 7 · (π · 12 )
= 2π.

7. If x, y are real numbers satisfying x2 + y 2 = 2, what is the maximum value of

2x + 2y?

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4

e) 5

Answer: d)

Solution I) Note that

0 ≤ (x − 1)2 + (y − 1)2 = (x2 − 2x + 1) + (y 2 − 2y + 1)
= (x2 + y 2 ) − (2x + 2y) + 2
= 4 − (2x + 2y)
7

and so 2x + 2y ≤ 4 with equality when x = 1 and y = 1.

√ √
Solution II) Set x = 2 cos θ and y = 2 sin θ so that x2 + y 2 = 2. The function
√ √ π
2x + 2y = 2 2 cos θ + 2 2 sin θ = 4 sin θ +
4
π

takes the maximum value when sin θ + 4 = 1.

8. Let f be a function with the following properties:

i) f (1) = 1 and
ii) f (2n) = n · f (n) for any positive integer n.
What is the value of f (210 )?

a) 1

b) 210

c) 225

d) 230

e) 245

Answer: e)

Solution) Using the property ii), we find that

f (210 ) = f (2 · 29 )
= 29 · f (29 )
= 29 · f (2 · 28 )
= 29 · 28 · f (28 )
= 29+8 · f (28 )
.
= ..
= 29+8+···+2+1+0 · f (20 )
9·10
= 29+8+···+2+1+0 · 1 = 2 2 = 245 .

9. How many integers between 1 and 2021 (inclusive) share a prime factor with 10?

a) 404

b) 607
8

c) 809

d) 1212

e) 1414

Answer: d)

Solution) Observe that

• mutiples of 2 share a common factor 2 with 10 = 2·5 and there are b 2021
2 c=
1010 multiples of 2 between 1 and 2021.
• mutiples of 5 share a common factor 5 with 10 = 2·5 and there are b 2021
5 c=
404 multiples of 5 between 1 and 2021.
• mutiples of 10 share a common factor 10 with 10 = 2 · 5 and there are
b 2021
10 c = 202 multiples of 10 between 1 and 2021.
• integers not having factor a factor 2 or 5 do not share a common factor
with 10.
By the inclusion-exclusion principle, there are
1010 + 404 − 202 = 1212
integers sharing a common factor with 10.

10. Fairies on the planet Twinkle Star have an alphabet with only the three let-
ters A, B, C. They want to make licence plates for flying cars that use four letters
. (For example, A B C C and C C A B are possible plates
and they are considered different.) How many plates can they make?

a) 3

b) 9

c) 15

d) 27

e) 81

Answer: e).

Solution) We can place any one of three letters in the first blank, any one of three
letters in the second, third and fourth blanks. There are total of 3·3·3·3 = 81 plates.
←→ ←→
11. Suppose that AB and CD are lines which intersect a circle as shown in the
figure below
9

B
C
A
•
P
Furthermore, suppose that the two lines intersect at a right angle at a point P
outside the circle, P A = 4, AB = 6 and CD = 3. Find the length AC.
a) 6
√
b) 41
√
c) 47

d) 7
√
e) 53

Answer: b)

Solution) Using the two secant theorem, we find that1

P A · P B = P C · P D =⇒ 4 · 10 = P C(P C + 3) =⇒ P C = 5.
Using the Pythagorean theorem to the right triangle 4AP C, we find that
√
AC 2 = AP 2 + P C 2 = 42 + 52 =⇒ AP = 41.

12. What is the product of the real roots of the equation

p
x2 + 18x + 30 = 2 x2 + 18x + 45?

a) 20

b) 25

1Let x = P C. The middle equation becomes

40 = x2 + 3x =⇒ (x − 5)(x + 8) = 0 =⇒ x = 5 > 0.
10

c) 10

d) 30

e) 45

Answer: a)
√
Solution) Let y = x2 + 18x + 45. Then
x2 + 18x + 30 = (x2 + 18x + 45) − 15 = y − 15
and so the original equation becomes
y 2 − 15 = 2y =⇒ (y − 5)(y + 3) = 0 ⇒ y = 5, −3.
Since y ≥ 0, we have y = 5. Thus
p
(∗) x2 + 18x + 45 = 5 =⇒ x2 + 18x + 20 = 0.
Since D = 182 − 4 · 20 > 0, the two roots2 of this quadraric polynomial are real,
and by Vieta’s formula, their product is 20.

13. Suppose that two cicles of radii 7 and 13 intersect at the points A and B.

•
A
•

•
•
B

If AB = 10, what is the distance between the center of the two circles?

2There are no extraneous solution to (∗) because

p q √
x2 + 18x + 20 = 0 =⇒ x2 + 18x + 45 = (x2 + 18x + 20) + 25 = 25 = 5.
11

√
a) 2( 6 + 6)
√
b) 3( 7 + 1)

c) 16

d) 20
√
e) 4( 11 + 1)

Answer: a)

Solution) Let X be the center of the first circle, Y the center of the second cir-
cle and P the point of intersection between XY and AB. By the perpendicular
bisector theorem together with AB = 10, we find that
AP = BP =⇒ AP = BP = 5.
and XY ⊥ AB.

A
•
13
7 5
• • •
X P Y

•
B

Applying the Pythagorean theorem to the right triangle 4XP A, we find that
√
XP 2 = AX 2 − AP 2 = 72 − 52 = 24 =⇒ XP = 2 6.
Applying the Pythagorean theorem to the right triangle 4Y P A, we find that
Y P 2 = AY 2 − AP 2 = 132 − 52 = 144 =⇒ Y P = 12.
The distance between the centers of the two circles is
√ √
XY = XP + Y P = 2 6 + 12 = 2(6 + 6).

14. The sum of 18 consecutive positive integers is a perfect square. (A perfect

square is an integer square such as 4 = 22 or 25 = 52 .) The smallest possible value
of this sum is

a) 169
12

b) 225

c) 289

d) 361

e) 441

Answer: b)

Solution I) The sum of 18 consecutive positive integers starting with a positive a

is
18 · (a + (a + 17))
S = a+(a+1)+(a+2)+· · ·+(a+16)+(a+17) = = 9·(2a+17)
2
For the sum S = 9 · (2a + 17) = 32 · (2a + 17) to be a perfect square, 2a + 17 must
be a perfect square. Checking for a = 1, 2, 3, · · ·


 a = 1 =⇒ 2a + 17 = 19 is not a perfect square

a = 2 =⇒ 2a + 17 = 21 is not a perfect square


 a = 3 =⇒ 2a + 17 = 23 is not a perfect square
a = 4 =⇒ 2a + 17 = 25 = 52 is a perfect square


We find that the smallest such a sum is S = 9 · (2a + 17) = 9 · 25 = 225 when a = 4.

Solution II) We check out several cases (the method of trial and error)
1 + 2 + · · · + 17 + 18 = (18 · 19)/2 = 171 is not a perfect square
2 + 3 + · · · + 18 + 19 = (18 · 21)/2 = 189 is not a perfect square
3 + 4 + · · · + 19 + 20 = (18 · 23)/2 = 207 is not a perfect square
4 + 5 + · · · + 20 + 21 = (18 · 25)/2 = 225 = 152 is a perfect square

and we find 225 is the smallest such a sum.

15. Chess is played on an 8 × 8 board of squares.

R

R
13

How many ways are there to put 3 identical rooks on the chessboard so that no two
rooks are in the same row or column?

a) 56

b) 336

c) 6720

d) 18816

e) 112896

Answer: d)

Solution I) First, determine 3 columns for the rooks to be place. There are
8

3 = 56 ways to choose 3 columns. Once the columns are determined, there are 8
ways to choose a row for the leftmost column, 7 ways to choose a row for the the
middle column and 6 ways to choose a row for the rightmost column.
leftmost middle rightmost
8 choices 7 choices 6 choices

There are a total of 56 · 8 · 7 · 6 = 18816 options.

Solution II) Another way

is
to place the rooks
in order so they cannot capture,
leading to 81 81 = 64, 71 71 = 49 and 61 61 = 36 possibilities, then divide their

product 64 · 49 · 36 by 3! = 6 to account for the reorderings. The answer is

64 · 49 · 36
= 18816.
6

16. How many prime numbers are there between 2021! + 2 and 2021! + 2021 ?
14

(Here, 2021! is the product of all natural numbers between 1 and 2021, i.e.,

2021! = 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · · · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 ).

a) 0

b) 1

c) 5

d) 19

e) 35

Answer: a).

Solution) For each natural number n for 2 ≤ n ≤ 2021, the number 2021! + n
is divisible by n (e.g., the number 2021! + 2 is divisible by 2, the number 2021! + 3 is
divisible by 3 and so on) and so 2021! + n is not prime number. There is no prime
numbers between 2021! + 2 and 2021! + 2021.

17. Suppose that we have points arranged as in the following figure:

A

B C D E

If AB = AE and BC = CD = DE, which of the following is true?

a) ∠BAC = ∠EAD = ∠CAD.
b) ∠BAC = ∠EAD < ∠CAD
c) ∠BAC = ∠EAD > ∠CAD
d) ∠BAC > ∠EAD > ∠CAD
e) ∠EAD > ∠BAC > ∠CAD

Answer: b)

Solution) Let H be the point bisectiong BE.

15

= =

X• •Y

B C H D E
The perpendicular bisector theorem implies that 4ACD is isosceles. The figure
above is symmetric with respect AH and so
(∗) ∠BAC = ∠EAD.
Note that
∠ACD < 90◦ =⇒ ∠ACB = 180◦ − ACD > 90◦ .
By the scalene inequality3,
(∠ACB) > (∠ABC) =⇒ AB > AC
which implies that the circle with radius AC = AD with center at A will meet at
X, Y in the interior of AB and AE, respectively. Since ∠AXC < 90◦ , ∠BXC >
90◦ > ∠XBC and, by the scalene inequality again,
(
XC < BC
=⇒ XC < CD =⇒ ∠XAC < ∠CAD
BC = CD

we conclude that
(∗∗) ∠BAC = ∠XAC < ∠CAD.
Combining (∗) and (∗∗) we find that ∠BAC = ∠EAD < ∠CAD.

Solution II) The problem can be solved through a process of elimination. First,
let H be the midpoint of the segment BE. By the perpendicular bisector theorem
since AB = AE the line AH will be perpendicular to the line BE. Therefore if we
reflect over the line AH, the angle ∠CAH will be sent to the angle ∠DAH, the
angle ∠BAH will be sent to the angle ∠EAH and therefore:
∠BAC = ∠BAH − ∠CAH = ∠EAH − ∠DAH = ∠DAE
This eliminates the last two answers.
Now it only needs to be determined if the middle angle is larger, smaller, or equal
in size to the outer angles. There are a variety of ways to see it must be larger. One
way is to consider the case where we start by drawing an isosceles triangle 4CAD
with obtuse angle at A:

3In a single triangle, the larger side is opposite to the larger angle.
16

C D

Now suppose that we choose points B and E to either side of C and D in such a
way that BC = CD = DE:

B C D E

Then we end with a situation meeting the conditions of the problem. Since ∠BAE <
180◦ and ∠CAD > 90◦ (since we made it obtuse), it follows that ∠CAB and ∠DAE
must both be acute (in fact, both are less than 45 degrees). While this is not a
rigorous proof that the middle angle is always larger, it does allow us to say that
the only possible answer is b).

18. A regular pentagon ABCDE and a regular hexgon ABF GHI share a side
AB and a square BF JK is placed in the interior of the hexagon. What is ∠CBK?

C F
• •
B
• •G

•
D• J
•
K
•A •H
• •
E I

a) 120◦
b) 134◦
c) 136◦
d) 138◦
e) 140◦

Answer: d)

Solution) Considering the rotational symmetry of the regular pentagon, we find

17

that
360◦
∠OCD = = 72◦ =⇒ ∠ABC = 180◦ − 72◦ = 108◦ .
5
Similarly, considering the rotational symmetry of the regular hexgon, we find that
360◦
∠O0 GH = = 60◦ =⇒ ∠ABF = 180◦ − 60◦ = 120◦ .
6

C F
• •

B •G
•

•
O0 J
D• • •
O
•
K

•A •H

• •
E I
Since BF JK is a square, ∠KBF = 90◦ and
∠ABK = ∠ABF − ∠KBF = 120◦ − 90◦ = 30◦ .
Finally, we find
∠KBC = ∠ABK + ∠ABC = 30◦ + 108◦ = 138◦ .

19. If θ is a solution of the equation

sin(195◦ ) + sin (105◦ ) = sin θ
then cos (2θ) is

a) −1

b) − 12
√
3
c) − 2

d) 0
√
6
e) − 2

Answer: d)
18

Solution) By sum-to-product formula

195◦ + 105◦ 195◦ − 105◦
sin θ = sin(195◦ ) + sin (105◦ ) = 2 sin cos
2 2
= 2 sin(150◦ ) cos(45◦ )
√
1 2
=2· ·
√ 2 2
2
=
2
Now we use the double angle formula

cos (2θ) = 1 − 2 sin2 θ

1
=1−2· =0
2
Alternatively we may solve
√ ( (
2 θ = 45◦ + k · 360◦ or 2θ = 90◦ + 2k · 360◦ or
sin θ = =⇒ =⇒
2 θ = 135◦ + k · 360◦ 2θ = 270◦ + 2k · 360◦

where k is an integer, and so cos (2θ) = 0.

20. How many real numbers x satisfy

x
sin x = ?
6π

a) 9

b) 11

c) 13

d) 15

e) 16

Answer: b)

Solution) Clearly x = 0 is a solution. Also, if x > 0 is a solution, so is −x < 0. So

let’s first consider positive solutions.
If x is a positive solution, then 0 < x = 6π sin x ≤ 6π. Considering the graph of
x
y = sin x and y = 6π over the interval (0, 6π)
19

y
x
1 y= 6π

x
2π 4π 6π

x
we find 5 positive solutions to the equation sin x = 6π . Similary, we find 5 negative
solutions to the equation. There are 5 + 1 + 5 = 11 solutions in total.

21. In each cell of the following 3 × 3 table, fill in 1 or −1, such that the product
of numbers in each row or column is equal to 1. For example,

−1 1 −1
fill in
1 1 1

−1 1 −1

How many ways are there to fill in this table?

a) 12

b) 16

c) 24

d) 36

e) 18

Answer: b)

Solution) We first fill the top left 2 × 2 square Q at will. Since there are 2 × 2 = 4
cells, and each cell can take 1 or −1 value, there are 24 = 16 ways to fill it.

a b

c d

We will show how to determine x on the top right corner

20

a b x

c d

Keeping in mind that a, b are either 1 or −1 and the product of the first row is 1,
we find that

abx = 1 =⇒ x = ab.

Similarly, we can determine the remaining entries except the bottom right one (∗)
uniquely as follows

a b ab

c d cd

ab bd (∗)

The last entry (∗) is uniquely and consistently determined as well because

(ac)(bd) = (ab)(cd).

Thus, there are 24 = 16 ways to fill this table.

22. The remainder of 321 + 521 divided by 64 is

a) 4

b) 20

c) 12

d) 10

e) 40

Answer: e)
21

Solution) After applyin the binormial theorem we work in modulo 64 arithmetic

321 + 521 = (4 − 1)21 + (4 + 1)21
" 21 # " 21 #
X 21 X 21
k 21−k k 21−k
= 4 · (−1) + 4 ·1
k k
k=0 k=0
21
X 21 k
= 4 · [(−1)21−k + 121−k ]
k
k=0
2
X 21 k
≡ 4 · [(−1)21−k + 121−k ] (because 4k ≡ 0 mod 64 for k ≥ 3)
k
k=0

21 0 21 1 21 2
≡ 4 · [(−1)21 + 121 ] + 4 · [(−1)20 + 120 ] + 4 · [(−1)19 + 119 ]
0 1 2

21 1
≡ 4 · [(−1)20 + 120 ]
1
≡ 21 · 4 · 2 ≡ 40 mod 64.

23. Mrs. Walter gave an exam in a mathematics class of five students. She entered
the scores in random order into a spreadsheet, which recalculated the class average
after each score was entered. Mrs. Walter noticed that after each score was entered,
the average was always an integer. The scores (listed in ascending order) were 71,
76, 80, 82, and 91. What was the last score Mrs. Walters entered?

a) 71

b) 76

c) 80

d) 82

e) 91

Answer: c)

Solution I) Let x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 be the scores entered in that order. The sequence

of averages
x1 + x2 x1 + x2 + x3 x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5
x1 , , , ,
2 3 4 5
are all integers. From this, we find that
i) x1 is an integer
ii) x1 + x2 is divisible by 2
iii) x1 + x2 + x3 is divisible by 3
iv) x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 is divisible by 4
22

v) x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5 = 71 + 76 + 80 + 82 + 91 = 400.
Since x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 is divisible by 4 and 400 is divisible by 4, x5 must also be
divisible by 4. Therefore x5 = 76 or x4 = 80.
Case I) Assume x5 = 76. Then x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 = 324 and so
(
x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 = 324 ≡ 0 mod 3
=⇒ x4 ≡ 0 mod 3
x1 + x2 + x3 ≡ 0 mod 3
But none of 71, 80, 82, 91 is divisible by 3. x5 = 76 is not possible.
Case II) Assume x5 = 80. Then x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 = 320 and so
(
x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 = 320 ≡ 2 mod 3
=⇒ x4 ≡ 2 mod 3
x1 + x2 + x3 ≡ 0 mod 3
Since 71 is the only number congruent to 2 modulo 3 among 71, 76, 82, 91
is congruent to 2 modulo 3 we find that x4 = 71 and x1 + x2 + x3 = 249.
(
x1 + x2 + x3 = 249 ≡ 1 mod 2
=⇒ x3 ≡ 1 mod 2
x1 + x2 ≡ 0 mod 2
Since 91 is the only odd number among 76, 82, 91 and so x3 = 91. There
are two possible cases
(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 ) = (76, 82, 91, 71, 80)
or
(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 ) = (82, 76, 91, 71, 80).
In any case, x5 = 80.

Solution II) Let x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 be the scores entered in that order. The se-
quence of averages
x1 + x2 x1 + x2 + x3 x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5
x1 , , , ,
2 3 4 5
are all integers. From this, we find that
i) x1 is an integer
ii) x1 + x2 is divisible by 2
iii) x1 + x2 + x3 is divisible by 3
iv) x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 is divisible by 4
v) x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5 = 71 + 76 + 80 + 82 + 91 = 400.
Since
x1 + x2 + x3 ≡ 0 mod 3
and
(71, 76, 80, 82, 91) ≡ (2, 1, 2, 1, 1) mod 3
the only way to get a number divisible by 3 by adding three of these is by adding
the three ones and so 76, 82, 91 must go first and so x1 +x2 +x3 = 76+82+91 = 249
and x4 , x5 are shuffles of 71, 80 From
(
x1 + x2 + x3 = 249 ≡ 1 mod 4
=⇒ x4 ≡ −1 mod 4 =⇒ x4 = 71
x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 ≡ 0 mod 4.
and x5 = 80.
23

24. Suppose that a circle is tangent to two perpendicular lines so that a 1 × 8

rectangle can be placed between the perpendicular lines and the circle as in the
following figure

1 × 8 rectangle

What is the radius of the circle?

a) 7

b) 9

c) 12

d) 13

e) 16

Answer: d)

Solution) Let r be the radius of the circle centered at C. Draw a right trian-
gle 4CQP as shown below
24

C
• •
r
r−8
P
• •Q
r−1
8

•
1
Applying the Pythagorean theorem to 4CQP we find that
(r − 1)2 + (r − 8)2 = r2 =⇒ r2 − 18r + 65 = 0 =⇒ r = 5, 13
The r = 5 is not possible by considering the geometry shape above. The radius is
r = 13.

25. Suppose x 6= 1. The product of real numbers x satisfying

log2 x − 1 − logx 4 = 0
is

a) 8

b) 1

c) 2

d) 6

e) 3

Answer: c)

Solution) Let u = log2 x. Then u 6= 0 because x 6= 1. By the base change

formula
log2 4 2
logx 4 = =
log2 x u
so the given equation becomes
2
u−1− = 0 =⇒ u2 − u − 2 = 0 =⇒ u = −1, 2
u
25

and (
u = log2 x = −1 =⇒ x = 2−1 = 1
2
u = log2 x = 2 =⇒ x = 22 = 4
1
Hence the product of all such x is 4 · 2 = 2.

26. Let f (x) denote the sum of the digits of the positive integer x. For exam-
ple, f (8) = 8 and f (123) = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. For how many two-digit values of x is
f (f (x)) = 3?

a) 3

b) 4

c) 6

d) 9

e) 10

Answer: e)

Solution) Let y = f (x). Then y ≤ 18 because x ≤ 99 and

f (f (x)) = 2 =⇒ f (y) = 3 =⇒ y = 3 or y = 12
because, for 0 ≤ a ≤ 9 and 0 ≤ b ≤ 9,
(
a = 1 =⇒ y = 10 + b =⇒ f (y) = 1 + b = 3 =⇒ b = 2
(∗) y = 10a + b ≤ 18 =⇒
a = 0 =⇒ y = 0 + b =⇒ f (y) = b = 3 =⇒ b = 3

Thus if f (y) = 3, then y = f (x) = 3 or y = f (x) = 12. Using the computation

similar to (∗), we find that
f (x) = 3 =⇒ x = 12, 21, 30
and
f (x) = 12 =⇒ x = 39, 48, 57, 66, 75, 84, 93.
There are 10 solutions x to f (f (x)) = 3.

27. A bag contains two red beads and two green beads. You reach into the bag and
pull out a bead, replacing it with a red bead regardless of the color you pulled out.
26

What is the probability that all beads in the bag are red after three such replace-
ments?

a) 1/8

b) 5/32

c) 9/32

d) 3/8

e) 7/16

Answer: c)

Solution) Let R be the red bead and G be the green bead and think of triple
((1st bead), (2nd bead), (3rd bead)).
There are three possible cases:
Case I) ((1st bead), (2nd bead), (3rd bead))=(G,G,R).

1st 2nd 3rd

The probability for this case is

2 1 4 1
× × = .
4 4 4 8
Case II) ((1st bead), (2nd bead), (3rd bead))=(G,R,G).

1st 2nd 3rd

The probability for this case is

2 3 1 3
× × = .
4 4 4 32
Case III) ((1st bead), (2nd bead), (3rd bead))=(R,G,G).
27

1st 2nd 3rd

The third case is in which the green beads are chosen second and third.
The probability for this case is
2 2 1 1
× × = .
4 4 4 16
Adding the probabilities of the three cases gives the desired probability
1 3 1 9
+ + = .
8 32 16 32

28. Let f (x) be a function not defined for x = 0 but

1
f (x) + 2f = 3x for all nonzero x.
x
Find the solutions of the equation
f (x) = f (−x).
a) x = ±1
√
b) x = ± 2
√
c) x = ± 3
√
d) x = ± 5
√
e) x = ± 7

Answer: b)

1
Solution) Replacing x by x in
1
(∗) f (x) + 2f = 3x
x
we obtain that
1 3 1 6
f + 2f (x) = =⇒ (∗∗) 2f + 4f (x) = .
x x x x
Subtracting (∗) from (∗∗), we find that
6 2
3f (x) = − 3x =⇒ f (x) = − x.
x x
The solutions of the equation
2 2 √
f (x) = f (−x) =⇒ − x = − + x =⇒ x2 = 2 =⇒ x = ± 2.
x x
28

29. In trapezoid ABCD with bases AB and CD, we have AB = 52, BC = 12,
CD = 39, and DA = 5.

D 39 C

12
5

A 52 B

The area of ABCD is

a) 182

b) 195

c) 210

d) 234

e) 260

Answer: c)

Solution) Draw points C 0 and D0 on the segment AB so that CC 0 and DD0

be the altitude of the trapezoid as show below.

D 39 C

12
5

A D0 52 A0 C0 B

Move the triangle ∆ADD0 so that DD0 coincides with CC 0 and let ∆A0 CC 0 be the
resulting trianlge.
29

12
5

A0 C0 B
13
Considering angles we find that ∠A0 CB = 90◦ and so ∆A0 CB becomes a right
triangle with
A0 B = AB − AA0
= AB − DC
= 52 − 39 = 13.
The length of A0 B in this triangle is equal to the length of the original AB, minus
the length of CD. Thus A0 B = 52 − 39 = 13. Computing the area of ∆A0 CB in
two different ways, we find that
1 1 60
· 12 · 5 = · 13 · CC 0 =⇒ CC 0 = .
2 2 13
The area of the trapezoid is
(AB + CD) (52 + 39) 60
· CC 0 = · = 210.
2 2 13

Remark) I changed the level of difficulty from Medium to Hard because I needed
more hard problems and this problem is somewhat lengthy.

30. A semicircle of diameter 1 sits at the top of a semicircle of diameter 2 as

shown below.

2
The shaded area inside the smaller semicircle and outside the larger semicircle is
called a lune. Determine the area of this lune.

√
π 3
a) 6 − 4
√
3 π
b) 4 − 12
30

√
3 π
c) 4 − 24
√
3 π
d) 4 + 24
√
3 π
e) 4 + 12

Answer: c)

Solution) Let P and Q be the points of intersection of the smaller semicircle

with the larger semicircle and let O be the center of the larger semicircle. Also, let
L be the lune, let T be the triangle ∆OP Q and let C be the region in the circular
_
sector formed by P Q and O with the triangle T removed.

L 1
C 2
P Q P Q
60◦
√
3
T 1 2
1
60◦

O O
2
The area of the smaller semicircle is 12 · π · 12 = 18 π. Since the triangle T is an
√ √
equilateral triangle with side length 1, the area of T is 12 · 1 · 23 = 43 . The angle
_
of the arc P Q is 60◦ and so the area of the circular sector determined by the angle
∠P OQ is

60 π
π · 12 · = .
360 6

Thinking of the areas, we find that

(the area of the lune L) = [(the area of the smaller semicircle) + (the area of the triangle T )]
− (the area of the circular sector determined by ∠P OQ)
h1 √ i
3 1
= π+ − π
√8 4 6
3 1
= − π
4 24

Tie Breaker (TB) problems: In a square ABCD, the areas of 4EDF , 4BCE
and 4F AB are 3, 4, and 5 respectively.
31

D E C

3 4

A B

TB I) What is the area of 4EF B?

a) 6.5

b) 6

c) 5.5

d) 7

e) 8

TB II) What is the value of cos(∠F EB)?

a) √ 12
1769

b) 0

c) √ 13
1769

d) √ 14
1769

e) √ 12
1767

Answers: TB I: e) and TB II: c)

TB I Solution) Let a be the length of the side of the square. Considering the
ratios of area of the triangles ∆BCE and ∆F AB

1 1
(the area ∆BCE) : (the area ∆BCE) = · a · CE : · a · AF = 4 : 5
2 2
32

we find that CE : AF = 4 : 5 and so we may write CE = 4s and AF = 5s for some

s > 0.
a − 4s 4s
D E C

a − 5s 3 4

F a

5s 5

A B
a
Using the figuare above, we find that DE = a − 4s and DF = a − 5s. Note that
1
(the area of ∆DEF ) = · (a − 4s) · (a − 5s) = 3
2
and
1
(the area of ∆BCE) = · a · (4s) = 4.
2
Taking the ratio of the two equations above we find that
(a − 4s)(a − 5s) 3
= =⇒ a2 − 12as + 20s2 = 0 =⇒ (a − 2s)(a − 10s) = 0
4as 4
from which we get s = a2 or s = 10
a
. We eliminate the possibility s = a2 by observing
that
a
5s = AF < AD = a =⇒ s < .
5
a
Using s = 10 , we can express side lengths in terms of a only as follws
a 2a
AF = 5s = and CE = 4s =
2 5
and we have the following upgraded figure
3a 2a
5 5

D E C

a
2 3 4

F a

a
2 5

A B
a
33

and also find that

1 a √
5 = (the area of ∆ABF ) = ·a· =⇒ a2 = 20 =⇒ a = 2 5.
2 2
On considering areas, we have
(the area of ∆EF B) = (the area of ABCD)
− [(the area of ∆F AB) + (the area of ∆BCE) + (the area of ∆EDF )]
h1 a 1 2a 1 3a a i
= a2 − ·a· + ·a· + · ·
2 2 2 5 2 5 2
h a2 a 2
3a 2i
= a2 − + +
4 5 20
2 2
= a
5
2
= · 20 = 8.
5
TB II Solution) We use the 2nd law of cosines together with Pythagorean theo-
rems to compute
EF 2 + BE 2 − BF 2
cos(∠F EB =
a 22EF3a · BE
( 2 ) + ( 5 )2 + a2 + ( 2a − a + ( a2 )2
2
2
5 )
= q q
2 · ( a2 )2 + ( 3a
5 )2· a2 + ( 2a
5 )
2

13 13
=√ √ =√ .
61 29 1769