1987 AHSME Problems/Problem 18

Problem

It takes $A$ algebra books (all the same thickness) and $H$ geometry books (all the same thickness, which is greater than that of an algebra book) to completely fill a certain shelf. Also, $S$ of the algebra books and $M$ of the geometry books would fill the same shelf. Finally, $E$ of the algebra books alone would fill this shelf. Given that $A, H, S, M, E$ are distinct positive integers, it follows that $E$ is

$\textbf{(A)}\ \frac{AM+SH}{M+H} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \frac{AM^2+SH^2}{M^2+H^2} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \frac{AH-SM}{M-H}\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ \frac{AM-SH}{M-H}\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \frac{AM^2-SH^2}{M^2-H^2}$

Solution

Let $x$ and $y$ be the thicknesses of an algebra book and geometry book, respectively, and let $z$ be the length of the shelf. Then from the given information, \[Ax + Hy = z\] \[Sx + My = z\] \[Ex = z.\] From the third equation, $x = z/E$. Substituting into the first two equations, we get \[\frac{A}{E} z + Hy = z,\] \[\frac{S}{E} z + My = z.\]

From the first equation, \[Hy = z - \frac{A}{E} z = \frac{E - A}{E} z,\] so \[\frac{y}{z} = \frac{E - A}{EH}.\] From the second equation, \[My = z - \frac{S}{E} z = \frac{E - S}{E} z,\] so \[\frac{y}{z} = \frac{E - S}{ME}.\] Hence, \[\frac{E - A}{EH} = \frac{E - S}{ME}.\] Multiplying both sides by $HME$, we get $ME - AM = HE - HS$. Then $(M - H)E = AM - HS$, so \[E = \boxed{\frac{AM - HS}{M - H}}.\] The answer is (D).

Solution 2 (a little faster)

Let $a$ and $g$ denote the widths of an algebra and geometry textbook, respectively. As in Solution 1, observe that the width of the shelf is equal to the following:

\[Ea=Aa+Hg=Sa+Mg.\]

The rest is simply algebra:

(EA)a=Hgg=(EA)aHEa=Sa+M((EA)aH)=Sa+M(EA)aHE=S+M(EA)H=SH+MEMAHEH=SH+MEMAE(HM)=SHMAE=SHMAHM=AMSHMH.

This is answer choice $\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}$. QED. $\Box$

~Technodoggo

See also

1987 AHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 17
Followed by
Problem 19
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