2013 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 22

Problem

The regular octagon $ABCDEFGH$ has its center at $J$. Each of the vertices and the center are to be associated with one of the digits $1$ through $9$, with each digit used once, in such a way that the sums of the numbers on the lines $AJE$, $BJF$, $CJG$, and $DJH$ are all equal. In how many ways can this be done?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 384 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 576  \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 1152 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 1680 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 3456$

[asy] pair A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J; A=(20,20(2+sqrt(2))); B=(20(1+sqrt(2)),20(2+sqrt(2))); C=(20(2+sqrt(2)),20(1+sqrt(2))); D=(20(2+sqrt(2)),20); E=(20(1+sqrt(2)),0); F=(20,0); G=(0,20); H=(0,20(1+sqrt(2))); J=(10(2+sqrt(2)),10(2+sqrt(2))); draw(A--B); draw(B--C); draw(C--D); draw(D--E); draw(E--F); draw(F--G); draw(G--H); draw(H--A); dot(A); dot(B); dot(C); dot(D); dot(E); dot(F); dot(G); dot(H); dot(J); label("A",A,NNW); label("B",B,NNE); label("C",C,ENE); label("D",D,ESE); label("E",E,SSE); label("F",F,SSW); label("G",G,WSW); label("H",H,WNW); label("J",J,SE); [/asy]

Solution 1

First of all, note that $J$ must be $1$, $5$, or $9$ to preserve symmetry, since the sum of 1 to 9 is 45, and we need the remaining 8 to be divisible by 4 (otherwise we will have uneven sums). So, we have:

[asy] pair A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J; A=(20,20(2+sqrt(2))); B=(20(1+sqrt(2)),20(2+sqrt(2))); C=(20(2+sqrt(2)),20(1+sqrt(2))); D=(20(2+sqrt(2)),20); E=(20(1+sqrt(2)),0); F=(20,0); G=(0,20); H=(0,20(1+sqrt(2))); J=(10(2+sqrt(2)),10(2+sqrt(2))); draw(A--B); draw(B--C); draw(C--D); draw(D--E); draw(E--F); draw(F--G); draw(G--H); draw(H--A); dot(A); dot(B); dot(C); dot(D); dot(E); dot(F); dot(G); dot(H); dot(J); label("A",A,NNW); label("B",B,NNE); label("C",C,ENE); label("D",D,ESE); label("E",E,SSE); label("F",F,SSW); label("G",G,WSW); label("H",H,WNW); label("J $(1, 5, 9)$",J,SE); [/asy]

We also notice that $A+E = B+F = C+G = D+H$.

WLOG, assume that $J = 1$. Thus the pairs of vertices must be $9$ and $2$, $8$ and $3$, $7$ and $4$, and $6$ and $5$. There are $4! = 24$ ways to assign these to the vertices. Furthermore, there are $2^{4} = 16$ ways to switch them (i.e. do $2$ $9$ instead of $9$ $2$).

Thus, there are $16(24) = 384$ ways for each possible J value. There are $3$ possible J values that still preserve symmetry: $384(3) = \boxed{\textbf{(C) }1152}$

Solution 2

As in solution 1, $J$ must be $1$, $5$, or $9$ giving us 3 choices. Additionally $A+E = B+F = C+G = D+H$. This means once we choose $J$ there are $8$ remaining choices. Going clockwise from $A$ we count, $8$ possibilities for $A$. Choosing $A$ also determines $E$ which leaves $6$ choices for $B$, once $B$ is chosen it also determines $F$ leaving $4$ choices for $C$. Once $C$ is chosen it determines $G$ leaving $2$ choices for $D$. Choosing $D$ determines $H$, exhausting the numbers. Additionally, there are three possible values for $J$. To get the answer we multiply $2\cdot4\cdot6\cdot8\cdot3=\boxed{\textbf{(C) }1152}$.

Remark

Solution 1 and 2 states that $J=1, 5, 9$ without rigorous analysis. Here it is:

Let $S=A+J+E=B+J+F=C+J+G=D+J+H$
$4S=A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H+4J$
$4S=45+3J$
$4S=3(15+J)$

Because $gcd(4,3)=1$, so $4|(15+J)$, but $15 \equiv 3 \pmod 4$, so $J \equiv 1 \pmod 4$, $J=1,5,9$

When $J=1, S=12, A+E=B+F=C+G=D+H=11$
When $J=5, S=15, A+E=B+F=C+G=D+H=10$
When $J=9, S=18, A+E=B+F=C+G=D+H=9$

~isabelchen

Video Solution by TheBeautyofMath

https://youtu.be/3MDr_t1ZzQk

~IceMatrix

See also

2013 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 21
Followed by
Problem 23
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png