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A
problem often appears in multiple strands. The problems are
suitable for most students in Grade 7 or higher.
Solution
In order to determine the probability that a marble drawn from the bag is black or gold, we
divide the number of black and gold marbles in the bag by the total number of marbles in the
bag. In other words,
Probability of selecting a black or gold marble =
When Mark adds white marbles to the bag, this does not change the number of black or gold
marbles. Therefore, the number of black or gold marbles in the bag is 3 + 6 = 9.
3
We are also given that the probability of drawing a black or gold marble is .
7
So the equation
Probability of selecting a black or gold marble =
becomes
3
9
=
7
Total number of marbles
Since
3
9
= , this tells us
7
21
9
9
=
21
Total number of marbles
Solution
First, we will determine the average of the largest and smallest numbers.
With a given set of four digits, the largest possible integer that can be formed puts the largest
digit in the thousands place, the second largest digit in the hundreds place, the third largest
digit in the tens place, and the smallest digit in the units place. That is, the largest integer is
formed by putting the digits in decreasing order from the thousands place to the units place.
This is because the largest digit can make the largest contribution in the place with the most
value. Thus, the largest integer that can be formed with the digits 2, 0, 1, 4 is 4210.
Similarly, with a given set of digits the smallest integer is formed by putting the digits in
increasing order from the thousands place to the units place. Here, there is an added wrinkle
that the integer must be at least 1000. Therefore, the thousands digit is at least 1. The
smallest integer of this type that can be made uses a thousands digit of 1, and then lists the
remaining digits in increasing order. This integer is 1024.
Therefore, average of the largest and smallest numbers is
4210+1024
2
5234
2
= 2617.
Now, lets determine the median of all of the numbers that can be created.
Since the thousands digit is at least 1, the smallest numbers will begin with a 1. The
remaining digits will be 0, 2 and 4, in some order. There are six possibilities for the remaining
digits: 024, 042, 204, 240, 402, or 420. Therefore, there are six numbers that begin with a 1.
Similarly, there are six numbers that will begin with a 2 and six numbers that will begin with a
4. Therefore, there are 18 different numbers that can be created this way. The smallest six
numbers will begin with a 1 and the largest six numbers will begin with a 4. The middle six
numbers will begin with a 2 and the median of all of the numbers will equal the median of the
middle six numbers. The middle six numbers, from smallest to largest, are
2014, 2041, 2104, 2140, 2401, 2410
Since there is an even number of numbers, the median of these six numbers is the average of
= 4244
= 2122. Therefore, the median of all of the numbers is
the middle two, which is 2104+2140
2
2
2122. (Alternatively, we could have listed out all 18 numbers that can be created this way in
order to determine the median.)
The difference between the average of the largest and smallest numbers and the median of all
numbers is therefore 2617 2122 = 495.
First
Second
Third
Solution
In our solution, we will we go through each clue and update the table based on the information
in the clue. We will put an X in a cell if the combination indicated by the row and column for
that cell is not possible, or a X if it must be true.
From clue (1), since Gregory was faster than Adam, we know that Adam could not have
finished first and that Gregory did not finish third. We can therefore put an X in the cells
corresponding to Adam in first and Gregory in third.
From clue (2), we can put an X in the cells corresponding to Gregory being Canadian and also
to Gregory in second. The table is updated below.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
Japan
First
Second
X
Third
X
We see that Gregory must have finished first. We can add a X to the corresponding cell in the
table. Since Gregory finished first and there were no ties, we know that Paul did not finish
first. We can add an X to the corresponding cell in the table. The table is updated and shown
on the top of the next page.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
Japan
First
X
X
X
Second
X
Third
X
From clue (3), we know the French athlete did not finish first and that the Japanese athlete
did not finish third. We can therefore put an X in the cells corresponding to the French athlete
in first and the Japanese athlete in third. Since we now know that Gregory came in first, this
clue also tells us that Gregory is not French. We can put an X in the corresponding cell. The
table is updated below.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
X
Japan
First
X
X
X
Second
X
Third
X
X
X
We see that Gregory must compete for Japan. Since Gregory finished first, this also tells us
that the Japanese athlete finished first. We can add a X to the corresponding cells in the table.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
X
Japan
X
First
X
X
X
Second
X
Third
X
Since the athletes are from different countries, we now know that Adam and Paul are not from
Japan, and so we can add Xs to the corresponding cells in the table. Since we know the
Japanese athlete finished first, he could not have finished second too, and the Canadian did
not finish first, so we can add Xs to the corresponding cells in the table. The table is updated
below.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
X
Japan
X
X
X
X
X
X
2
First
X
X
X
Second
X
Third
X
From clue (4), we can add an X in the cells corresponding to Adam finishing in third. The
table is updated as follows.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
X
Japan
X
X
X
X
X
X
First
X
X
X
Second
X
Third
X
X
We can now see that Adam must have finished in second and Paul must have finished in third.
We can add the corresponding Xs and Xs. The table is updated below.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
France
X
Japan
X
X
X
X
X
X
First
X
X
X
Second
X
X
X
Third
X
X
X
From clue (5), we know the Canadian athlete was faster than the French athlete. Since the
Japanese athlete finished first, this means the Canadian must have finished second and the
French athlete must have finished third. Therefore, Adam is the Canadian and Paul is the
French athlete. We can add the corresponding Xs and Xs. The table is updated as follows.
Gregory
Adam
Paul
First
Second
Third
Canada
X
X
X
X
X
X
France
X
X
X
X
X
X
Japan
X
X
X
X
X
X
First
X
X
X
In conclusion:
Gregory competed for Japan and finished in first place.
Adam competed for Canada and finished in second place.
Paul competed for France and finished in third place.
Second
X
X
X
Third
X
X
X
Solution
In order to determine the probability, we must determine the number of ways to obtain a
perfect square and divide it by the total number of possible selections of one red card and one
blue card. We will compile this information in a table.
hhhh
h
hhhh
Number on Red Card
hhhh
hhh
hhhh
hhh
Number on Blue Card
hh
1
3
4
5
12
1
3
4
5
3
9
12
15
5
15
20
25
9
27
36
45
12
36
48
60
The numbers in the top row of the table, namely, 1, 3, 5, 9, and 12, correspond to the possible
values on the red card. The numbers in the first column of the table, namely, 1, 3, 4, and 5,
correspond to the possible values on the blue card. The other numbers in the table correspond
to the product of the number on the blue card and the number on the red card.
From the table, we see that 20 products are formed. The number 1 is a perfect square, (1 1),
and it occurs one time. The number 4 is a perfect square, (2 2), and it occurs one time. The
number 9 is a perfect square, (3 3), and it occurs two times. The number 25 is a perfect
square, (5 5), and it occurs one time. The number 36 is a perfect square, (6 6), and it
occurs two times. Seven of the products are perfect squares. Therefore, the probability of
7
drawing a winning pair is 20
.
A game is considered fair if the probability of winning is 50%. In this game, the winning
probability, as a percentage, is 35%. Can you modify the game so that it is fair?
S
N
S
F
S
N
S
F
Solution
We could solve this problem by tracing out
different routes and counting how many we
find. We will set up a systematic approach to
doing so, to ensure that we do not miss any
routes.
We begin by labelling the seven unlabelled
intersections in the maze as A, B, C, D, E, G,
and H, as shown.
Since Maria can only travel east, south, or southeast along a path, starting at
S she has only two choices as to where to go next: A or C.
If she travels from D to E, she must then go to F . Therefore, one route from S to F is
SADEF .
If she travels from D to F , we have found another route. Therefore, one route from S to
F is SADF .
If she travels from D to H, she must then go to F . Therefore, one route from S to F is
SADHF .
Therefore, there are four routes from S to F in which Maria first travels from S to A. They
are SABEF , SADEF , SADF , and SADHF .
Case 2: Maria travels from S to C
Since Maria can travel east, south or southeast, she could travel to D, H or G next.
If she travels from C to D, she again has 3 choices: travel from D to E, F or H. We get
three different routes: SCDEF , SCDF and SCDHF .
If she travels from C to H, from H she must go to F . We have found another route,
SCHF .
If she travels from C to G, she must then go to H then F . We have found another route,
SCGHF .
Therefore, there are five routes from S to F in which Maria first travels from S to C. They are
SCDEF , SCDF , SCDHF , SCHF , and SCGHF .
In total, there are 4 + 5 = 9 different routes that Maria can take from S to F .
For further thought:
How would your answer change if Maria were allowed to also go southwest? (She is never
allowed to travel north, northeast, northwest, or west.)
C
Y
65
75
R
C
Q
Q
C
Y
65
75
Solution
In any equilateral triangle, all sides are equal in length and each angle measures 60 . Since
4ABC and 4P QR are equilateral,
ABC = ACB = CAB = QP R = P RQ = RQP = 60 .
Since the angles in a straight line sum to 180 , we have
180 = 65 + ABC + Y BP = 65 + 60 + Y BP . Rearranging, we have
Y BP = 180 65 60 = 55 .
Similarly, since angles in a straight line sum to 180 , we have
180 = 75 + QP R + Y P B = 75 + 60 + Y P B. Rearranging, we have
Y P B = 180 75 60 = 45 .
Since the angles in a triangle sum to 180 , in 4BY P we have
Y P B + Y BP + BY P = 180 , and so 45 + 55 + BY P = 180 . Rearranging, we have
BY P = 180 45 55 = 80 .
When two lines intersect, vertically opposite angles are equal. Since XY C and BY P are
vertically opposite angles, we have XY C = BY P = 80 .
Again, since angles in a triangle sum to 180 , in 4XY C we have
XY C + XCY + CXY = 180 . We have already found that XY C = 80 , and since
XCY = ACB, we have XCY = 60 . So, XY C + XCY + CXY = 180 becomes
80 + 60 + CXY = 180 . Rearranging, we have CXY = 180 80 60 = 40 .
Therefore, CXY = 40 .
A
D
base height
area =
2
The triangle in region A has base 4 cm and height 3 cm.
12
2
The area of this triangle is 43
2 = 2 = 6 cm .
The triangle in region B has base 3 cm and height 2 cm.
6
2
The area of this triangle is 32
2 = 2 = 3 cm .
The triangle in region C has base 4 cm and height 2 cm.
8
2
The area of this triangle is 42
2 = 2 = 4 cm .
The triangle in region D has base 3 cm and height 3 cm.
9
2
The area of this triangle is 33
2 = 2 cm .
The total shaded area is therefore 6 + 3 + 4 +
9
2
= 13 +
9
2
26
2
9
2
35
2
cm2 .
We will now determine the area of the unshaded region. The square is 5 cm
long and 5 cm wide. Therefore, the area of the entire square is 5 5 = 25 cm2 .
The area of the unshaded region is the area of the entire square minus the area
of the shaded region. So the area of the unshaded region is
50
35
15
2
25 35
2 = 2 2 = 2 cm .
The ratioof the shaded area to the unshaded area is
35
15
2 : 2 = 35 : 15 = 7 : 3.
Solution
Since OABC is a square with area 16 cm2 , its side length must be 4 cm. That
is, OA = OC = 4 cm.
Since A lies on the circumference of the circle with centre O, the radius of the
circle is r = OA = 4 cm.
Therefore, the area of the circle is r2 = 42 = 16 cm2 .
Since OABC is a square, AOC = 90 .
1
90
=
Therefore, the area of sector OAC is
of the area of the circle.
360
4
1
In other words, the area of the sector OAC is 16 = 4 cm2 .
4
Therefore,
the area of the shaded region
= the area of the square OABC the area of the sector OAC
= 16 4
3.43 cm2 .
R
Q
7.5
4
P 3 U
12
T 4
R
Q
7.5
4
P 3 U
T 4
12
R
3.5
Q
4
P 3 U
4
12
T 4
D
A
B
It may be helpful to notice that 4ABC and 4DEF are similar. The symbol
for similarity is .
Two triangles are similar if their corresponding side lengths are in the same
ratio. That is,
If
AB
BC
AC
=
=
, then 4ABC 4DEF
DE
EF
DF
When two triangles are similar, it is also true that corresponding angles are
equal. That is,
If 4ABC 4DEF, then ABC = DEF, BCA = EF D and CAB = F DE.
D
A
B
Building Bigger
Problem
A student constructs a right-angled triangle, 4ABC, with an area of 6 cm2 . She constructs a
second triangle, 4DEF , whose side lengths are exactly three times the lengths of the sides of
her original triangle. That is, DE = 3AB, EF = 3BC and DF = 3AC. Given this
information, determine the area of 4DEF .
Solution
4DEF is formed by multiplying each of the original side lengths by 3. Since the ratio of the
AB
AC
side lengths does not change, that is, DE
= BC
= DF
= 13 , 4ABC 4DEF .
EF
Since corresponding angles in similar triangles are equal,
DEF = ABC = 90 , and so 4DEF is also right-angled.
Since 4ABC has height h, 4DEF has height 3 h.
Since 4ABC has base b, 4DEF has base 3 b.
Using the formula area =
baseheight
,
2
(3 b) (3 h)
2
9bh
=
2
9 12
=
, since b h = 12
2
= 54 cm2
D
3h
3b
As an extension:
Notice that 4DEF has side lengths that are each three times the corresponding lengths of
4ABC and that the area of the 4DEF ended up being 54 = 9 6 = 32 area of 4ABC.
This is not a coincidence. It turns out that if 4ABC 4DEF and the side lengths of
4DEF are all k times the corresponding side lengths of 4ABC, then
area of 4DEF = k 2 area of 4ABC
Can you show that this is always true for a right-angled triangle? Can you show that this is
always true for any triangle?
U V
W Q
G
H
J
K
L
U V
W Q
G
H
J
K
L
Problem
The 6 m by 6 m square shown above is to be divided into three equal areas using two cuts.
You must make two straight cuts but each cut must start at point P . Each of these two cuts
will pass through a point on the outside of the square. Which other labelled points will the
cuts pass through?
Solution
The area of the entire 6 m by 6 m square is 6 6 = 36 m2 . Since the square is divided into
36
= 12 m2 .
three regions of equal area, the area of each region must be
3
Consider the line through P that passes through some point on
the vertical line segment QM . Let A be the point where this line
intersects QM . Since P M Q = 90 , 4P M A is a right triangle with
base P M = 6 m and height M A.
base height
Using the formula area =
, we have
2
6
P
6 MA
area of 4P M A =
= 3 M A.
2
We require that the area of 4P M A = 12 m2 . Therefore, 3 M A = 12 and so M A = 4 m.
Since H is the point on QM with M H = 4 m, we must have A = H.
R
B
Therefore, one line passes through the point H.
Consider the line through P that passes through some point on the
horizontal line segment RQ. Let B be the point where this line
intersects RQ. Since P RQ = 90 , 4P RB is a right triangle with
height P R = 6 m and base RB.
base height
Using the formula area =
, we have
2
RB 6
= 3 RB.
area of 4P RB =
2
Q
A
Problem
A rectangular container with base 9 cm by 11 cm has a height of 38.5 cm. Assuming that
water expands 10% when it freezes, determine the depth to which the container can be filled so
that when the contents freeze, the ice does not go above the top of the container.
Solution 1
To determine the volume of a rectangular solid, multiply the length, width and height. So the
maximum volume of the container will be
9 11 38.5 = 3811.5 cm3 .
Let the original depth of water in the container be h cm.
Then the water volume before freezing is 9 11 h = (99 h) cm3 . After the water freezes, the
volume increases by 10% to 110% of its current volume. So after freezing, the volume will be
110% of 99 h = 1.1 99 h = (108.9 h) cm3 .
But the volume after freezing is the maximum volume, 3811.5 cm3 . Therefore,
108.9 h = 3811.5 and it follows that h = 3811.5 108.9 = 35 cm.
The container can be filled with water to a depth of 35 cm so that when it freezes the ice will
not go over the top of the container.
Solution 2
In this solution we note that the length and width remain the same in both the volume
calculation before and after the water freezes. We need only concern ourselves with the change
in the depth of the water.
Let the original depth of water in the container be h cm.
After freezing, the depth increases by 10% to 110% of its depth before freezing. So after
freezing, the depth will be 110% of h = 1.1 h = 38.5 cm, the maximum height of the
container. Then h = 38.5 1.1 = 35 cm.
The container can be filled with water to a depth of 35 cm so that when it freezes the ice will
not go over the top of the container.
A
D
base height
area =
2
The triangle in region A has base 4 cm and height 3 cm.
12
2
The area of this triangle is 43
2 = 2 = 6 cm .
The triangle in region B has base 3 cm and height 2 cm.
6
2
The area of this triangle is 32
2 = 2 = 3 cm .
The triangle in region C has base 4 cm and height 2 cm.
8
2
The area of this triangle is 42
2 = 2 = 4 cm .
The triangle in region D has base 3 cm and height 3 cm.
9
2
The area of this triangle is 33
2 = 2 cm .
The total shaded area is therefore 6 + 3 + 4 +
9
2
= 13 +
9
2
26
2
9
2
35
2
cm2 .
We will now determine the area of the unshaded region. The square is 5 cm
long and 5 cm wide. Therefore, the area of the entire square is 5 5 = 25 cm2 .
The area of the unshaded region is the area of the entire square minus the area
of the shaded region. So the area of the unshaded region is
50
35
15
2
25 35
2 = 2 2 = 2 cm .
The ratioof the shaded area to the unshaded area is
35
15
2 : 2 = 35 : 15 = 7 : 3.
Solution
Since OABC is a square with area 16 cm2 , its side length must be 4 cm. That
is, OA = OC = 4 cm.
Since A lies on the circumference of the circle with centre O, the radius of the
circle is r = OA = 4 cm.
Therefore, the area of the circle is r2 = 42 = 16 cm2 .
Since OABC is a square, AOC = 90 .
1
90
=
Therefore, the area of sector OAC is
of the area of the circle.
360
4
1
In other words, the area of the sector OAC is 16 = 4 cm2 .
4
Therefore,
the area of the shaded region
= the area of the square OABC the area of the sector OAC
= 16 4
3.43 cm2 .
Solution 1
The inner square has side length 30 3 = 27 cm.
Area = Length Width = 27 27 = 729 cm2 .
30
27
Solution 2
33
30
30
33
R
Q
7.5
4
P 3 U
12
T 4
R
Q
7.5
4
P 3 U
T 4
12
R
3.5
Q
4
P 3 U
4
12
T 4
D
A
B
It may be helpful to notice that 4ABC and 4DEF are similar. The symbol
for similarity is .
Two triangles are similar if their corresponding side lengths are in the same
ratio. That is,
If
AB
BC
AC
=
=
, then 4ABC 4DEF
DE
EF
DF
When two triangles are similar, it is also true that corresponding angles are
equal. That is,
If 4ABC 4DEF, then ABC = DEF, BCA = EF D and CAB = F DE.
D
A
B
Building Bigger
Problem
A student constructs a right-angled triangle, 4ABC, with an area of 6 cm2 . She constructs a
second triangle, 4DEF , whose side lengths are exactly three times the lengths of the sides of
her original triangle. That is, DE = 3AB, EF = 3BC and DF = 3AC. Given this
information, determine the area of 4DEF .
Solution
4DEF is formed by multiplying each of the original side lengths by 3. Since the ratio of the
AB
AC
side lengths does not change, that is, DE
= BC
= DF
= 13 , 4ABC 4DEF .
EF
Since corresponding angles in similar triangles are equal,
DEF = ABC = 90 , and so 4DEF is also right-angled.
Since 4ABC has height h, 4DEF has height 3 h.
Since 4ABC has base b, 4DEF has base 3 b.
Using the formula area =
baseheight
,
2
(3 b) (3 h)
2
9bh
=
2
9 12
=
, since b h = 12
2
= 54 cm2
D
3h
3b
As an extension:
Notice that 4DEF has side lengths that are each three times the corresponding lengths of
4ABC and that the area of the 4DEF ended up being 54 = 9 6 = 32 area of 4ABC.
This is not a coincidence. It turns out that if 4ABC 4DEF and the side lengths of
4DEF are all k times the corresponding side lengths of 4ABC, then
area of 4DEF = k 2 area of 4ABC
Can you show that this is always true for a right-angled triangle? Can you show that this is
always true for any triangle?
U V
W Q
G
H
J
K
L
U V
W Q
G
H
J
K
L
Problem
The 6 m by 6 m square shown above is to be divided into three equal areas using two cuts.
You must make two straight cuts but each cut must start at point P . Each of these two cuts
will pass through a point on the outside of the square. Which other labelled points will the
cuts pass through?
Solution
The area of the entire 6 m by 6 m square is 6 6 = 36 m2 . Since the square is divided into
36
= 12 m2 .
three regions of equal area, the area of each region must be
3
Consider the line through P that passes through some point on
the vertical line segment QM . Let A be the point where this line
intersects QM . Since P M Q = 90 , 4P M A is a right triangle with
base P M = 6 m and height M A.
base height
Using the formula area =
, we have
2
6
P
6 MA
area of 4P M A =
= 3 M A.
2
We require that the area of 4P M A = 12 m2 . Therefore, 3 M A = 12 and so M A = 4 m.
Since H is the point on QM with M H = 4 m, we must have A = H.
R
B
Therefore, one line passes through the point H.
Consider the line through P that passes through some point on the
horizontal line segment RQ. Let B be the point where this line
intersects RQ. Since P RQ = 90 , 4P RB is a right triangle with
height P R = 6 m and base RB.
base height
Using the formula area =
, we have
2
RB 6
= 3 RB.
area of 4P RB =
2
Q
A
Problem
A rectangular container with base 9 cm by 11 cm has a height of 38.5 cm. Assuming that
water expands 10% when it freezes, determine the depth to which the container can be filled so
that when the contents freeze, the ice does not go above the top of the container.
Solution 1
To determine the volume of a rectangular solid, multiply the length, width and height. So the
maximum volume of the container will be
9 11 38.5 = 3811.5 cm3 .
Let the original depth of water in the container be h cm.
Then the water volume before freezing is 9 11 h = (99 h) cm3 . After the water freezes, the
volume increases by 10% to 110% of its current volume. So after freezing, the volume will be
110% of 99 h = 1.1 99 h = (108.9 h) cm3 .
But the volume after freezing is the maximum volume, 3811.5 cm3 . Therefore,
108.9 h = 3811.5 and it follows that h = 3811.5 108.9 = 35 cm.
The container can be filled with water to a depth of 35 cm so that when it freezes the ice will
not go over the top of the container.
Solution 2
In this solution we note that the length and width remain the same in both the volume
calculation before and after the water freezes. We need only concern ourselves with the change
in the depth of the water.
Let the original depth of water in the container be h cm.
After freezing, the depth increases by 10% to 110% of its depth before freezing. So after
freezing, the depth will be 110% of h = 1.1 h = 38.5 cm, the maximum height of the
container. Then h = 38.5 1.1 = 35 cm.
The container can be filled with water to a depth of 35 cm so that when it freezes the ice will
not go over the top of the container.
1
5
1
5
3
5
3
5
1.80
18
2
Cole should receive 13.50
= 135
= 15
of the total amount of chocolate.
2
2
So Cole should receive 15
of 5, or 15
5 = 23 of a chocolate bar.
0.90
9
1
David should receive 13.50
= 135
= 15
of the total amount of chocolate.
1
1
So David should receive 15
of 5, or 15
5 = 13 of a chocolate bar.
We should check that all of the chocolate has been distributed. If there were
any errors in our solution, this may help us catch them. Amanda receives 3
chocolate bars, Ben receives 1 chocolate bar, Cole receives 23 of a chocolate bar
and David receives 13 of a chocolate bar. The total number of chocolate bars
distributed is 3 + 1 + 32 + 13 = 5, as required.
We observe that 5! ends in 0 and 10! ends in 00. Notice that the number of
zeros at the end of the number increased by one at each of 5! and at 10!. Why
is this?
A zero is added to the end of a number when we multiply by 10. Multiplying a
number by 10 is the same as multiplying a number by 2 and then by 5, or by 5
and then by 2, since 2 5 = 10 and 5 2 = 10. We must determine the next
time we multiply by 2 and 5 (in some order), to know the next time the
number of zeros at the end of the number increases again. Every time we
multiply by an even number we are multiplying by at least one more 2. There
are less multiples of five. Each multiple of five will affect the number of zeroes
at the end of the product.
Multiplying by 11, 12, 13, and 14 increases the number of 2s we multiply by
but not the number of 5s. So the number of zeros at the end of the product
does not change. The next time we multiply by a 5 is when we multiply by 15
since 15 = 5 3. So 15! will end in exactly three zeroes, 000.
Multiplying by 16, 17, 18, and 19 increases the number of 2s we multiply by
but not the number of 5s. So the number of zeros at the end of the product
does not change. The next time we multiply by a 5 is when we multiply by 20
since 20 = 4 5. So 20! will end in exactly four zeroes, 0000.
Multiplying by 21, 22, 23, and 24 increases the number of 2s we multiply by
but not the number of 5s. The next time we multiply by a 5 is when we
multiply by 25. In fact, multiplying by 25 is the same as multiplying by 5 twice
since 25 = 5 5. So when we multiply by 25, we will increase the number of
zeros on the end of the product by two. So 25! will end in exactly six zeroes,
000 000.
Then, for n! to end in six zeroes, the smallest value of n is 25. That is, 25! is
the smallest factorial that ends in exactly six zeroes. (It could be noted that
26!, 27!, 28!, and 29! also end in six zeroes.)
Pairs?
Solution
In considering only the equation a (b + 1) = 260, we see that we are looking for two whole
numbers, each greater than 1, that multiply to 260. The first number is a and the second
number is a number that is 1 greater than b. We also want the second number to be greater
than the first number.
We can generate the following list of valid pairs of numbers that multiply to 260:
260 = 2 130 = 4 65 = 5 52 = 10 26 = 13 20.
There are other pairs of positive numbers that multiply to 260 but each of them can be
excluded because of the given restrictions.
We can exclude 260 = 1 260 and 260 = 260 1 because both numbers must be greater than 1.
We can also exclude 260 = 130 2, 260 = 65 4, 260 = 52 5, 260 = 26 10, and
260 = 20 13 because the second number in the product must be larger than the first number.
Since b is 1 less than the second number in each valid product, we can generate the pairs of
whole numbers that satisfy the equation a (b + 1) = 260. We will write the number pairs as
ordered pairs in the form (a, b).
The
The
The
The
The
The five ordered pairs (a, b) that satisfy the equation a (b + 1) = 260 as well as all the other
conditions are (2, 129), (4, 64), (5, 51), (10, 25), and (13, 19).
CONSECUTIVE CRESCENT
10
Solution 1
In this solution we will use logic to reason the number of houses on Consecutive Crescent.
There are 36 houses before house 37 on the one side of the road. Therefore, there must be 36
houses on the other side of the road before house number 84.
So the first house on the other side of the road is house number 84 36 = 48. Therefore, the
last house on the first side is house number 47.
Each house on one side has a house directly across from it on the other side. Since there are 47
houses on one side, there are 47 houses on the other side and there are a total of 47 2 = 94
houses on Consecutive Crescent.
Solution 2
In this solution, a variable is introduced to help in the argument.
Suppose there are n houses on one side of Consecutive Crescent. Then there are a total of
2 n = 2n houses on the street. House 1 is opposite house n + 1, house 2 is opposite house
n + 2, house 3 is opposite house n + 3, and so on. (The . . . below represent the houses in
between house 3 and house 37 and again the houses between house 37 and house n.) House 37
is opposite house 84 and house n is opposite house 2n.
1
2
3 ...
n + 1 n + 2 n + 3 ...
37 . . . n
84 . . . 2n
There are 36 houses before house 37. Therefore, there must be 36 houses before house 84.
So the first house in the second row is house number 84 36 = 48. This is house n + 1.
Therefore, the last house in the first row, house n, is house number 47.
So there are 47 2 = 94 houses on Consecutive Crescent.
!"#$%&
A divisor of n is an integer that divides exactly into n.
For example:
3 is a divisor of 18 since, 18 3 = 6.
4 is not a divisor of 18, since 18 4 = 4.5.
Solution
First, we will determine the average of the largest and smallest numbers.
With a given set of four digits, the largest possible integer that can be formed puts the largest
digit in the thousands place, the second largest digit in the hundreds place, the third largest
digit in the tens place, and the smallest digit in the units place. That is, the largest integer is
formed by putting the digits in decreasing order from the thousands place to the units place.
This is because the largest digit can make the largest contribution in the place with the most
value. Thus, the largest integer that can be formed with the digits 2, 0, 1, 4 is 4210.
Similarly, with a given set of digits the smallest integer is formed by putting the digits in
increasing order from the thousands place to the units place. Here, there is an added wrinkle
that the integer must be at least 1000. Therefore, the thousands digit is at least 1. The
smallest integer of this type that can be made uses a thousands digit of 1, and then lists the
remaining digits in increasing order. This integer is 1024.
Therefore, average of the largest and smallest numbers is
4210+1024
2
5234
2
= 2617.
Now, lets determine the median of all of the numbers that can be created.
Since the thousands digit is at least 1, the smallest numbers will begin with a 1. The
remaining digits will be 0, 2 and 4, in some order. There are six possibilities for the remaining
digits: 024, 042, 204, 240, 402, or 420. Therefore, there are six numbers that begin with a 1.
Similarly, there are six numbers that will begin with a 2 and six numbers that will begin with a
4. Therefore, there are 18 different numbers that can be created this way. The smallest six
numbers will begin with a 1 and the largest six numbers will begin with a 4. The middle six
numbers will begin with a 2 and the median of all of the numbers will equal the median of the
middle six numbers. The middle six numbers, from smallest to largest, are
2014, 2041, 2104, 2140, 2401, 2410
Since there is an even number of numbers, the median of these six numbers is the average of
= 4244
= 2122. Therefore, the median of all of the numbers is
the middle two, which is 2104+2140
2
2
2122. (Alternatively, we could have listed out all 18 numbers that can be created this way in
order to determine the median.)
The difference between the average of the largest and smallest numbers and the median of all
numbers is therefore 2617 2122 = 495.
Boat A
Boat B
Problem
On a certain day, the visibility at sea is 5 km. Boats A and B are 200 m apart
and travelling in opposite directions, each at a different, constant speed. The
two boats are in sight of one another for 15 minutes. If boat A is travelling at
a constant speed of 8 km/h, how fast is boat B travelling, in km/h?
Solution
Boat A is travelling at a constant speed of 8 km/h.
Using the formula distance = speed time, in 15 minutes boat A will travel
km 15
h = 2 km.
8
h
60
The visibility at sea is 5 km, thus boats A and B will be in sight of one
another until they are 5 km apart. We are given that boats A and B are in
sight of one another for 15 minutes. Thus, after 15 minutes boats A and B
must be 5 km apart.
Since boats A and B start out 200 m = 0.2 km apart and boat A travels 2 km
in 15 minutes, boat B must travel 5 0.2 2 = 2.8 km in 15 minutes.
Since boat B travelled 2.8 km in 15 minutes, using the formula
speed = distance time, boat B must have been travelling at a speed of
15
60
2.8 km
h = 2.8
= 11.2 km/h.
60
15
Therefore, boat B is travelling at a speed of 11.2 km/h.
Solution 1
The inner square has side length 30 3 = 27 cm.
Area = Length Width = 27 27 = 729 cm2 .
30
27
Solution 2
33
30
30
33
and
1
5
5
40
8
13
+ 40
13
Therefore, Carl receives
=
= 40 =
of the total prize money.
2
2
2
80
Dana receives the remainder of the prize money.
80
10
16
13
41
Therefore, Dana receives 1 81 15 13
80 = 80 80 80 80 = 80 of the total
prize money.
Solution 2
Alison receives 81 of the prize money, so she receives 81 $1000 = $125.
Bob receives 15 of the prize money, so he receives 51 $1000 = $200.
Carl receives the average of what Alison and Bob receive.
Therefore, Carl receives $125+$200
= $325
2
2 = $162.50.
Dana receives the remainder of the prize money.
Therefore, Dana receives $1000 $125 $200 $162.50 = $512.50.
That is, Dana receives
512.50
1000
5125
10000
41
80
? ? ? 22 ? 45
? ? ? 22 ? 45
Note
If c is the average of two numbers a and b, then
a+b
= c.
2
It follows that a + b = 2 c.
This idea is used in both solutions.
Solution 1
In the first solution, we solve the problem by working backwards.
Since the 6th number in the sequence is equal to the average of the two previous numbers, the
6th number must be the average of the 4th and 5th numbers.
So the sum of the 4th and 5th numbers must be 2 times the 6th number, or 2 45 = 90.
Therefore, the 5th number is 90 22 = 68.
We now determine the 3rd number. The 5th number in the sequence is the average of the 3rd
and 4th numbers. So the sum of the 3rd and 4th numbers is 2 times the 5th number, or
2 68 = 136. Therefore, the 3rd number is 136 22 = 114.
We now determine the 2nd number. The 4th number in the sequence is the average of the 2nd
and 3rd numbers. So the sum of the 2nd and 3rd numbers is 2 times the 4th number, or
2 22 = 44. Therefore, the 2nd number is 44 114 = 70.
We now determine the 1st number. The 3rd number in the sequence is the average of the 1st
and 2nd numbers. So the sum of the 1st and 2nd numbers is 2 times the 3rd number, or
2 114 = 228. Therefore, the 1st number is 228 (70) = 228 + 70 = 298.
The sequence of 6 numbers is 298, 70, 114, 22, 68, 45.
We can indeed check that in this sequence each number after the first two is equal to the
average of the previous two numbers.
Solution 2
We will now present a similar, but more algebraic solution.
Let the sequence be
22
45
where a represents the 1st number, b represents the 2nd number, c represents the 3rd number
and d represents the 5th number in the sequence.
We again solve this problem by working backwards.
Since the 6th number in the sequence is equal to the average of the 4th and 5th numbers, we
have 45 = 22+d
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we obtain 22 + d = 45 2 = 90. Rearranging,
2
d = 90 22 = 68.
Therefore, the 5th number in the sequence is 68.
We now determine the 3rd number. Since the 5th number in the sequence is equal to the
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we obtain
average of the 3rd and 4th numbers, we have 68 = c+22
2
c + 22 = 68 2 = 136. Rearranging, c = 136 22 = 114.
Therefore, the 3rd number in the sequence is 114.
We now determine the 2nd number. Since the 4th number in the sequence is equal to the
average of the 2nd and 3rd numbers, we have 22 = b+114
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we obtain
2
b + 114 = 22 2 = 44. Rearranging, b = 44 114 = 70.
Therefore, the 2nd number in the sequence is 70.
We now determine the 1st number. Since the 3rd number in the sequence is equal to the
a + (70)
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we
average of the 1st and 2nd numbers, we have 114 =
2
obtain a + (70) = 114 2 = 228. Rearranging, a = 228 + 70 = 298.
Therefore, the 1st number in the sequence is 298.
Therefore, the sequence of 6 numbers is 298, 70, 114, 22, 68, 45.
We can indeed check that in this sequence each number after the first two is equal to the
average of the previous two numbers.
68
45
The domino on the left is a [3, 5] domino, since there are 3 pips on one end and
5 pips on the other end. The domino in the middle is a [0, 4] domino, since
there are 0 pips on one end and 4 pips on the other end. The domino on the
right is a [3, 3] domino, since there are 3 pips on one end and 3 pips on the
other end.
We can also rotate the domino tiles:
The domino on the left is a [5, 3] domino. However, since each tile has just
been rotated, [5, 3] and [3, 5] represent the same domino. Similarly, the domino
in the middle is a [4, 0] domino. Note that [4, 0] and [0, 4] represent the same
domino.
A 2-set of dominoes contains all the tiles with the number of pips on any end
ranging from 0 to 2, and no two dominoes can be the same. A 2-set of
dominoes has the following 6 tiles: [0, 0], [0, 1], [0, 2], [1, 1], [1, 2], [2, 2]. (Notice
that the three dominoes [1, 0], [2, 0] and [2, 1] are not listed because they are
the same as the three dominoes [0, 1], [0, 2] and [1, 2]).
A 10-set of dominoes contains all the tiles with the number of pips on any end
ranging from 0 to 10, and no two dominoes can be the same. How many tiles
are in a 10-set of dominoes?
Solution
Since rotating a domino tile does not change the domino, lets orient each tile so that the
smallest number is always on the left end of the tile.
For each possible number on the left side of the domino, we examine the possible numbers that
can occur on the right side of the domino and compile this information in a table.
Number on Left Side
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
(11)(12)
2S = 11(12) and so S =
= 66.
2
In general, it can be shown that if n is a positive integer, then the sum of the integers
(n)(n + 1)
from 1 to n is
. In other words, 1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + n = n(n+1)
.
2
2
12
12
10
2014
The date, April 10, 2014, is palindromic when the date is written in the form
month-day-year, 4102014. The date, October 4, 2014, is also a palindrome
when the date is written in the form day-month-year, 4102014. A palindrome
is a word, phrase, sentence, or number that reads the same forwards and
backwards. In honour of the first Palindrome Day of 2014 we offer the
following problem:
The number 14 741 is a five-digit palindromic number. Determine the largest
five-digit palindromic number which can be divided exactly by 15.
It may be helpful to note that a number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits
is divisible by 3. For example, 15 972 is divisible by 3 since
1 + 5 + 9 + 7 + 2 = 24 and 24 is divisible by 3.
10
2014
Problem
The date, April 10, 2014, is palindromic when the date is written in the form
month-day-year, 4102014. The date, October 4, 2014, is also a palindrome
when the date is written in the form day-month-year, 4102014. A palindrome
is a word, phrase, sentence, or number that reads the same forwards and
backwards. In honour of the first Palindrome Day of 2014 we offer the following
problem: The number 14 741 is a five-digit palindromic number. Determine the
largest five-digit palindromic number which can be divided exactly by 15.
Solution
We are looking for a five-digit number of the form abcba.
For a number to be divisible by 15, it must be divisible by both 3 and 5.
To be divisible by 5, a number must end in 0 or 5. If the required number ends
in 0, it must also begin with 0 in order to be a palindrome. But the number
0bcb0 is not a five-digit number. Therefore, the number cannot end in a 0 and
hence must start and end with a 5. The required number looks like 5bcb5.
For a number to be divisible by 3, the sum of its digits must be divisible by 3.
Since we want the largest possible number, let b = 9 in 5bcb5. We must find
the largest value of c so that 59c95 is divisible by 3. The sum of the digits is
5 + 9 + c + 9 + 5 = c + 28 and c can take on any integer value from 0 to 9. It
follows that c + 28 can take on integer values from 28 to 37. The largest
number in this range divisible by 3 is 36 so c + 28 = 36 and c = 8.
The largest five-digit palindromic number exactly divisible by 15 is 59 895.
(As an aside, the smallest five-digit palindromic number exactly divisible by 15
is 50 205. And there are only 33 five-digit palindromic numbers exactly divisible
by 15. The verification of this is left as a possible extension for the solver.)
S
N
S
F
S
N
S
F
Solution
We could solve this problem by tracing out
different routes and counting how many we
find. We will set up a systematic approach to
doing so, to ensure that we do not miss any
routes.
We begin by labelling the seven unlabelled
intersections in the maze as A, B, C, D, E, G,
and H, as shown.
Since Maria can only travel east, south, or southeast along a path, starting at
S she has only two choices as to where to go next: A or C.
If she travels from D to E, she must then go to F . Therefore, one route from S to F is
SADEF .
If she travels from D to F , we have found another route. Therefore, one route from S to
F is SADF .
If she travels from D to H, she must then go to F . Therefore, one route from S to F is
SADHF .
Therefore, there are four routes from S to F in which Maria first travels from S to A. They
are SABEF , SADEF , SADF , and SADHF .
Case 2: Maria travels from S to C
Since Maria can travel east, south or southeast, she could travel to D, H or G next.
If she travels from C to D, she again has 3 choices: travel from D to E, F or H. We get
three different routes: SCDEF , SCDF and SCDHF .
If she travels from C to H, from H she must go to F . We have found another route,
SCHF .
If she travels from C to G, she must then go to H then F . We have found another route,
SCGHF .
Therefore, there are five routes from S to F in which Maria first travels from S to C. They are
SCDEF , SCDF , SCDHF , SCHF , and SCGHF .
In total, there are 4 + 5 = 9 different routes that Maria can take from S to F .
For further thought:
How would your answer change if Maria were allowed to also go southwest? (She is never
allowed to travel north, northeast, northwest, or west.)
We observe that 5! ends in 0 and 10! ends in 00. Notice that the number of
zeros at the end of the number increased by one at each of 5! and at 10!. Why
is this?
A zero is added to the end of a number when we multiply by 10. Multiplying a
number by 10 is the same as multiplying a number by 2 and then by 5, or by 5
and then by 2, since 2 5 = 10 and 5 2 = 10. We must determine the next
time we multiply by 2 and 5 (in some order), to know the next time the
number of zeros at the end of the number increases again. Every time we
multiply by an even number we are multiplying by at least one more 2. There
are less multiples of five. Each multiple of five will affect the number of zeroes
at the end of the product.
Multiplying by 11, 12, 13, and 14 increases the number of 2s we multiply by
but not the number of 5s. So the number of zeros at the end of the product
does not change. The next time we multiply by a 5 is when we multiply by 15
since 15 = 5 3. So 15! will end in exactly three zeroes, 000.
Multiplying by 16, 17, 18, and 19 increases the number of 2s we multiply by
but not the number of 5s. So the number of zeros at the end of the product
does not change. The next time we multiply by a 5 is when we multiply by 20
since 20 = 4 5. So 20! will end in exactly four zeroes, 0000.
Multiplying by 21, 22, 23, and 24 increases the number of 2s we multiply by
but not the number of 5s. The next time we multiply by a 5 is when we
multiply by 25. In fact, multiplying by 25 is the same as multiplying by 5 twice
since 25 = 5 5. So when we multiply by 25, we will increase the number of
zeros on the end of the product by two. So 25! will end in exactly six zeroes,
000 000.
Then, for n! to end in six zeroes, the smallest value of n is 25. That is, 25! is
the smallest factorial that ends in exactly six zeroes. (It could be noted that
26!, 27!, 28!, and 29! also end in six zeroes.)
CONSECUTIVE CRESCENT
10
Solution 1
In this solution we will use logic to reason the number of houses on Consecutive Crescent.
There are 36 houses before house 37 on the one side of the road. Therefore, there must be 36
houses on the other side of the road before house number 84.
So the first house on the other side of the road is house number 84 36 = 48. Therefore, the
last house on the first side is house number 47.
Each house on one side has a house directly across from it on the other side. Since there are 47
houses on one side, there are 47 houses on the other side and there are a total of 47 2 = 94
houses on Consecutive Crescent.
Solution 2
In this solution, a variable is introduced to help in the argument.
Suppose there are n houses on one side of Consecutive Crescent. Then there are a total of
2 n = 2n houses on the street. House 1 is opposite house n + 1, house 2 is opposite house
n + 2, house 3 is opposite house n + 3, and so on. (The . . . below represent the houses in
between house 3 and house 37 and again the houses between house 37 and house n.) House 37
is opposite house 84 and house n is opposite house 2n.
1
2
3 ...
n + 1 n + 2 n + 3 ...
37 . . . n
84 . . . 2n
There are 36 houses before house 37. Therefore, there must be 36 houses before house 84.
So the first house in the second row is house number 84 36 = 48. This is house n + 1.
Therefore, the last house in the first row, house n, is house number 47.
So there are 47 2 = 94 houses on Consecutive Crescent.
Solution 1
Let $h be the amount of money that Henry collected.
It follows that Ann collected $(h + 250) and Joe collected $(h + 250 + 375).
Then
h + (h + 250) + (h + 250 + 375) = 2000
h + (h + 250) + (h + 625) = 2000
3h + 875 = 2000
3h = 1125
h = 375
So, h + 250 = 625 and h + 250 + 375 = 1000.
Therefore, Henry raised $375, Ann raised $625 and Joe raised $1000.
The ratio of money raised by Henry to the amount raised by Ann to the amount raised by Joe
is 375 : 625 : 1000 = 15 : 25 : 40 = 3 : 5 : 8.
Solution 2
If Joe had raised $625 less and Ann had raised $250 less, each would have raised the same
amount as Henry. Each would then have raised 31 of $(2000 625 250) = 13 of $1 125 = $375.
So Henry raised $375.
Therefore, Ann raised $(375 + 250) = $625 and Joe raised $(625 + 375) = $1000.
The ratio of money raised by Henry to the amount raised by Ann to the amount raised by Joe
is 375 : 625 : 1000 = 15 : 25 : 40 = 3 : 5 : 8.
..
.
..
.
Solution
The digits after the decimal point occur in repeating blocks of the 6 digits,
namely 142857.
2014
2
= 335 , then the 2014th digit after the decimal point occurs after
6
3
335 blocks of the repeating digits have been used.
Since
? ? ? 22 ? 45
? ? ? 22 ? 45
Note
If c is the average of two numbers a and b, then
a+b
= c.
2
It follows that a + b = 2 c.
This idea is used in both solutions.
Solution 1
In the first solution, we solve the problem by working backwards.
Since the 6th number in the sequence is equal to the average of the two previous numbers, the
6th number must be the average of the 4th and 5th numbers.
So the sum of the 4th and 5th numbers must be 2 times the 6th number, or 2 45 = 90.
Therefore, the 5th number is 90 22 = 68.
We now determine the 3rd number. The 5th number in the sequence is the average of the 3rd
and 4th numbers. So the sum of the 3rd and 4th numbers is 2 times the 5th number, or
2 68 = 136. Therefore, the 3rd number is 136 22 = 114.
We now determine the 2nd number. The 4th number in the sequence is the average of the 2nd
and 3rd numbers. So the sum of the 2nd and 3rd numbers is 2 times the 4th number, or
2 22 = 44. Therefore, the 2nd number is 44 114 = 70.
We now determine the 1st number. The 3rd number in the sequence is the average of the 1st
and 2nd numbers. So the sum of the 1st and 2nd numbers is 2 times the 3rd number, or
2 114 = 228. Therefore, the 1st number is 228 (70) = 228 + 70 = 298.
The sequence of 6 numbers is 298, 70, 114, 22, 68, 45.
We can indeed check that in this sequence each number after the first two is equal to the
average of the previous two numbers.
Solution 2
We will now present a similar, but more algebraic solution.
Let the sequence be
22
45
where a represents the 1st number, b represents the 2nd number, c represents the 3rd number
and d represents the 5th number in the sequence.
We again solve this problem by working backwards.
Since the 6th number in the sequence is equal to the average of the 4th and 5th numbers, we
have 45 = 22+d
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we obtain 22 + d = 45 2 = 90. Rearranging,
2
d = 90 22 = 68.
Therefore, the 5th number in the sequence is 68.
We now determine the 3rd number. Since the 5th number in the sequence is equal to the
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we obtain
average of the 3rd and 4th numbers, we have 68 = c+22
2
c + 22 = 68 2 = 136. Rearranging, c = 136 22 = 114.
Therefore, the 3rd number in the sequence is 114.
We now determine the 2nd number. Since the 4th number in the sequence is equal to the
average of the 2nd and 3rd numbers, we have 22 = b+114
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we obtain
2
b + 114 = 22 2 = 44. Rearranging, b = 44 114 = 70.
Therefore, the 2nd number in the sequence is 70.
We now determine the 1st number. Since the 3rd number in the sequence is equal to the
a + (70)
. Multiplying both sides by 2, we
average of the 1st and 2nd numbers, we have 114 =
2
obtain a + (70) = 114 2 = 228. Rearranging, a = 228 + 70 = 298.
Therefore, the 1st number in the sequence is 298.
Therefore, the sequence of 6 numbers is 298, 70, 114, 22, 68, 45.
We can indeed check that in this sequence each number after the first two is equal to the
average of the previous two numbers.
68
45
The domino on the left is a [3, 5] domino, since there are 3 pips on one end and
5 pips on the other end. The domino in the middle is a [0, 4] domino, since
there are 0 pips on one end and 4 pips on the other end. The domino on the
right is a [3, 3] domino, since there are 3 pips on one end and 3 pips on the
other end.
We can also rotate the domino tiles:
The domino on the left is a [5, 3] domino. However, since each tile has just
been rotated, [5, 3] and [3, 5] represent the same domino. Similarly, the domino
in the middle is a [4, 0] domino. Note that [4, 0] and [0, 4] represent the same
domino.
A 2-set of dominoes contains all the tiles with the number of pips on any end
ranging from 0 to 2, and no two dominoes can be the same. A 2-set of
dominoes has the following 6 tiles: [0, 0], [0, 1], [0, 2], [1, 1], [1, 2], [2, 2]. (Notice
that the three dominoes [1, 0], [2, 0] and [2, 1] are not listed because they are
the same as the three dominoes [0, 1], [0, 2] and [1, 2]).
A 10-set of dominoes contains all the tiles with the number of pips on any end
ranging from 0 to 10, and no two dominoes can be the same. How many tiles
are in a 10-set of dominoes?
Solution
Since rotating a domino tile does not change the domino, lets orient each tile so that the
smallest number is always on the left end of the tile.
For each possible number on the left side of the domino, we examine the possible numbers that
can occur on the right side of the domino and compile this information in a table.
Number on Left Side
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
(11)(12)
2S = 11(12) and so S =
= 66.
2
In general, it can be shown that if n is a positive integer, then the sum of the integers
(n)(n + 1)
from 1 to n is
. In other words, 1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + n = n(n+1)
.
2
2
12
12
10
2014
The date, April 10, 2014, is palindromic when the date is written in the form
month-day-year, 4102014. The date, October 4, 2014, is also a palindrome
when the date is written in the form day-month-year, 4102014. A palindrome
is a word, phrase, sentence, or number that reads the same forwards and
backwards. In honour of the first Palindrome Day of 2014 we offer the
following problem:
The number 14 741 is a five-digit palindromic number. Determine the largest
five-digit palindromic number which can be divided exactly by 15.
It may be helpful to note that a number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits
is divisible by 3. For example, 15 972 is divisible by 3 since
1 + 5 + 9 + 7 + 2 = 24 and 24 is divisible by 3.
10
2014
Problem
The date, April 10, 2014, is palindromic when the date is written in the form
month-day-year, 4102014. The date, October 4, 2014, is also a palindrome
when the date is written in the form day-month-year, 4102014. A palindrome
is a word, phrase, sentence, or number that reads the same forwards and
backwards. In honour of the first Palindrome Day of 2014 we offer the following
problem: The number 14 741 is a five-digit palindromic number. Determine the
largest five-digit palindromic number which can be divided exactly by 15.
Solution
We are looking for a five-digit number of the form abcba.
For a number to be divisible by 15, it must be divisible by both 3 and 5.
To be divisible by 5, a number must end in 0 or 5. If the required number ends
in 0, it must also begin with 0 in order to be a palindrome. But the number
0bcb0 is not a five-digit number. Therefore, the number cannot end in a 0 and
hence must start and end with a 5. The required number looks like 5bcb5.
For a number to be divisible by 3, the sum of its digits must be divisible by 3.
Since we want the largest possible number, let b = 9 in 5bcb5. We must find
the largest value of c so that 59c95 is divisible by 3. The sum of the digits is
5 + 9 + c + 9 + 5 = c + 28 and c can take on any integer value from 0 to 9. It
follows that c + 28 can take on integer values from 28 to 37. The largest
number in this range divisible by 3 is 36 so c + 28 = 36 and c = 8.
The largest five-digit palindromic number exactly divisible by 15 is 59 895.
(As an aside, the smallest five-digit palindromic number exactly divisible by 15
is 50 205. And there are only 33 five-digit palindromic numbers exactly divisible
by 15. The verification of this is left as a possible extension for the solver.)