Difference between revisions of "2008 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 21"
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− | == Problem == | + | ==Problem== |
− | + | A permutation <math>(a_1,a_2,a_3,a_4,a_5)</math> of <math>(1,2,3,4,5)</math> is <u>heavy-tailed</u> if <math>a_1 + a_2 < a_4 + a_5</math>. What is the number of heavy-tailed permutations? | |
− | <math>\textbf{(A)}\ | + | <math>\textbf{(A)}\ 36 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 40 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 44 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 48 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 52</math> |
− | \textbf{(E)}\ | ||
− | == Solution == | + | ==Solution== |
− | < | + | There are <math>5!=120</math> total permutations. |
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− | + | For every permutation <math>(a_1,a_2,a_3,a_4,a_5)</math> such that <math>a_1 + a_2 < a_4 + a_5</math>, there is exactly one permutation such that <math>a_1 + a_2 > a_4 + a_5</math>. Thus it suffices to count the permutations such that <math>a_1 + a_2 = a_4 + a_5</math>. | |
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− | + | <math>1+4=2+3</math>, <math>1+5=2+4</math>, and <math>2+5=3+4</math> are the only combinations of numbers that can satisfy <math>a_1 + a_2 = a_4 + a_5</math>. | |
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− | + | There are <math>3</math> combinations of numbers, <math>2</math> possibilities of which side of the equation is <math>a_1+a_2</math> and which side is <math>a_4+a_5</math>, and <math>2^2=4</math> possibilities for rearranging <math>a_1,a_2</math> and <math>a_4,a_5</math>. Thus, there are <math>3\cdot2\cdot4=24</math> permutations such that <math>a_1 + a_2 = a_4 + a_5</math>. | |
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− | + | Thus, the number of <u>heavy-tailed</u> permutations is <math>\frac{120-24}{2}=48 \Rightarrow D</math>. | |
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== See also == | == See also == |
Revision as of 21:37, 19 February 2008
Problem
A permutation of is heavy-tailed if . What is the number of heavy-tailed permutations?
Solution
There are total permutations.
For every permutation such that , there is exactly one permutation such that . Thus it suffices to count the permutations such that .
, , and are the only combinations of numbers that can satisfy .
There are combinations of numbers, possibilities of which side of the equation is and which side is , and possibilities for rearranging and . Thus, there are permutations such that .
Thus, the number of heavy-tailed permutations is .
See also
2008 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 20 |
Followed by Problem 22 |
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 |