Difference between revisions of "2022 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 14"

(Removed title for consistency purposes + fixed LATEX)
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Assign partners in decreasing order for <math>x \in \{7, \dots, 1\}</math>:
 
Assign partners in decreasing order for <math>x \in \{7, \dots, 1\}</math>:
  
<math>7</math> must pair with <math>14</math>: <math>\mathbf{1} \textbf{ choice}</math>.
+
Note that <math>7</math> must pair with <math>14</math>: <math>\mathbf{1} \textbf{ choice}</math>.
  
 
For <math>5 \leq x \leq 7</math>, the choices are <math>\{2x, \dots, 14\} - \{ \text{previous choices}\}</math>. As <math>x</math> decreases by <math>1</math>, The minuend increases by <math>2</math> elements, and the subtrahend increases by <math>1</math> element, so the difference increases by <math>1</math>, yielding <math>\mathbf{3!} \textbf{ combined choices}</math>.
 
For <math>5 \leq x \leq 7</math>, the choices are <math>\{2x, \dots, 14\} - \{ \text{previous choices}\}</math>. As <math>x</math> decreases by <math>1</math>, The minuend increases by <math>2</math> elements, and the subtrahend increases by <math>1</math> element, so the difference increases by <math>1</math>, yielding <math>\mathbf{3!} \textbf{ combined choices}</math>.
  
After assigning a partner to <math>5</math>, there are no more constraints, so there are <math>\mathbf{4!}</math> ways to choose partners for <math>\{1,2,3,4\}</math>.
+
After assigning a partner to <math>5</math>, there are no more constraints, so there are <math>\mathbf{4!} \textbf{ ways}</math> to choose partners for <math>\{1,2,3,4\}</math>.
  
 
The answer is <math>1 \cdot 3! \cdot 4! = \boxed{\textbf{(E) } 144}</math>.
 
The answer is <math>1 \cdot 3! \cdot 4! = \boxed{\textbf{(E) } 144}</math>.

Revision as of 18:04, 14 March 2023

Problem

How many ways are there to split the integers $1$ through $14$ into $7$ pairs such that in each pair, the greater number is at least $2$ times the lesser number?

$\textbf{(A) } 108 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 120 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 126 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 132 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 144$

Solution 1

Clearly, the integers from $8$ through $14$ must be in different pairs, and $7$ must pair with $14.$

Note that $6$ can pair with either $12$ or $13.$ From here, we consider casework:

  • If $6$ pairs with $12,$ then $5$ can pair with one of $10,11,13.$ After that, each of $1,2,3,4$ does not have any restrictions. This case produces $3\cdot4!=72$ ways.
  • If $6$ pairs with $13,$ then $5$ can pair with one of $10,11,12.$ After that, each of $1,2,3,4$ does not have any restrictions. This case produces $3\cdot4!=72$ ways.

Together, the answer is $72+72=\boxed{\textbf{(E) } 144}.$

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2

As said above, clearly, the integers from $8$ through $14$ must be in different pairs.

We know that $8$ or $9$ can pair with any integer from $1$ to $4$, $10$ or $11$ can pair with any integer from $1$ to $5$, and $12$ or $13$ can pair with any integer from $1$ to $6$. Thus, $8$ will have $4$ choices to pair with, $9$ will then have $3$ choices to pair with ($9$ cannot pair with the same number as the one $8$ pairs with). $10$ cannot pair with the numbers $8$ and $9$ has paired with but can also now pair with $5$, so there are $3$ choices. $11$ cannot pair with $8$'s, $9$'s, or $10$'s paired numbers, so there will be $2$ choices for $11$. $12$ can pair with an integer from $1$ to $5$ that hasn't been paired with already, or it can pair with $6$. $13$ will only have one choice left, and $7$ must pair with $14$.

So, the answer is $4\cdot3\cdot3\cdot2\cdot2\cdot1\cdot1=\boxed{\textbf{(E) } 144}.$

~Scarletsyc

Solution 3

The integers $x \in \{8, \dots , 14 \}$ must each be the larger elements of a distinct pair.

Assign partners in decreasing order for $x \in \{7, \dots, 1\}$:

Note that $7$ must pair with $14$: $\mathbf{1} \textbf{ choice}$.

For $5 \leq x \leq 7$, the choices are $\{2x, \dots, 14\} - \{ \text{previous choices}\}$. As $x$ decreases by $1$, The minuend increases by $2$ elements, and the subtrahend increases by $1$ element, so the difference increases by $1$, yielding $\mathbf{3!} \textbf{ combined choices}$.

After assigning a partner to $5$, there are no more constraints, so there are $\mathbf{4!} \textbf{ ways}$ to choose partners for $\{1,2,3,4\}$.

The answer is $1 \cdot 3! \cdot 4! = \boxed{\textbf{(E) } 144}$.

~oinava

Video Solution by OmegaLearn

https://youtu.be/V1jOj8ysd_w

~ pi_is_3.14

See Also

2022 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
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
2022 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 9
Followed by
Problem 11
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 12 Problems and Solutions

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