Difference between revisions of "2003 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 1"
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<math> \mathrm{(A) \ } 0\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 1\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 2\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 2003\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 4006 </math> | <math> \mathrm{(A) \ } 0\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 1\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 2\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 2003\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 4006 </math> | ||
− | + | ==Solution 1== | |
− | |||
The first <math>2003</math> even counting numbers are <math>2,4,6,...,4006</math>. | The first <math>2003</math> even counting numbers are <math>2,4,6,...,4006</math>. | ||
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<math>= 1+1+1+...+1 = \boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math> | <math>= 1+1+1+...+1 = \boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math> | ||
− | + | ==Solution 2== | |
Using the sum of an [[arithmetic progression]] formula, we can write this as <math>\frac{2003}{2}(2 + 4006) - \frac{2003}{2}(1 + 4005) = \frac{2003}{2} \cdot 2 = \boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math>. | Using the sum of an [[arithmetic progression]] formula, we can write this as <math>\frac{2003}{2}(2 + 4006) - \frac{2003}{2}(1 + 4005) = \frac{2003}{2} \cdot 2 = \boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math>. | ||
− | + | ==Solution 3== | |
The formula for the sum of the first <math>n</math> even numbers, is <math>S_E=n^{2}+n</math>, (E standing for even). | The formula for the sum of the first <math>n</math> even numbers, is <math>S_E=n^{2}+n</math>, (E standing for even). | ||
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<math>S_E-S_O= (2003^{2}+2003)-(2003^{2})=2003 \Rightarrow</math> <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math>. | <math>S_E-S_O= (2003^{2}+2003)-(2003^{2})=2003 \Rightarrow</math> <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math>. | ||
− | + | ==Solution 4== | |
In the case that we don't know if <math>0</math> is considered an even number, we note that it doesn't matter! The sum of odd numbers is <math>O=1+3+5+...+4005</math>. And the sum of even numbers is either <math>E_1=0+2+4...+4004</math> or <math>E_2=2+4+6+...+4006</math>. When compared to the sum of odd numbers, we see that each of the <math>n</math>th term in the series of even numbers differ by <math>1</math>. For example, take series <math>O</math> and <math>E_1</math>. The first terms are <math>1</math> and <math>0</math>. Their difference is <math>|1-0|=1</math>. Similarly, take take series <math>O</math> and <math>E_2</math>. The first terms are <math>1</math> and <math>2</math>. Their difference is <math>|1-2|=1</math>. Since there are <math>2003</math> terms in each set, the answer <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math>. | In the case that we don't know if <math>0</math> is considered an even number, we note that it doesn't matter! The sum of odd numbers is <math>O=1+3+5+...+4005</math>. And the sum of even numbers is either <math>E_1=0+2+4...+4004</math> or <math>E_2=2+4+6+...+4006</math>. When compared to the sum of odd numbers, we see that each of the <math>n</math>th term in the series of even numbers differ by <math>1</math>. For example, take series <math>O</math> and <math>E_1</math>. The first terms are <math>1</math> and <math>0</math>. Their difference is <math>|1-0|=1</math>. Similarly, take take series <math>O</math> and <math>E_2</math>. The first terms are <math>1</math> and <math>2</math>. Their difference is <math>|1-2|=1</math>. Since there are <math>2003</math> terms in each set, the answer <math>\boxed{\mathrm{(D)}\ 2003}</math>. | ||
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==Solution 5 (Fastest method)== | ==Solution 5 (Fastest method)== | ||
− | We can | + | We can pair each term of the sums - the first even number with the first odd number, the second with the second, and so forth. Then, there are 2003 pairs with a difference of 1 in each pair - 2-1 is 1, 4-3 is 1, 6-5 is 1, and so on. Then, the solution is <math>1 \cdot 2003</math>, and the answer is <math>\boxed{\text{(D) }2003}</math>. |
− | + | <3 | |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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[[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]] | [[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]] | ||
{{MAA Notice}} | {{MAA Notice}} | ||
+ | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZRnm_DGFfY | ||
+ | Video solution by canada math |
Latest revision as of 20:31, 28 December 2021
- The following problem is from both the 2003 AMC 12A #1 and 2003 AMC 10A #1, so both problems redirect to this page.
Contents
Problem
What is the difference between the sum of the first even counting numbers and the sum of the first
odd counting numbers?
Solution 1
The first even counting numbers are
.
The first odd counting numbers are
.
Thus, the problem is asking for the value of .
Solution 2
Using the sum of an arithmetic progression formula, we can write this as .
Solution 3
The formula for the sum of the first even numbers, is
, (E standing for even).
Sum of first odd numbers, is
, (O standing for odd).
Knowing this, plug for
,
.
Solution 4
In the case that we don't know if is considered an even number, we note that it doesn't matter! The sum of odd numbers is
. And the sum of even numbers is either
or
. When compared to the sum of odd numbers, we see that each of the
th term in the series of even numbers differ by
. For example, take series
and
. The first terms are
and
. Their difference is
. Similarly, take take series
and
. The first terms are
and
. Their difference is
. Since there are
terms in each set, the answer
.
Solution 5 (Fastest method)
We can pair each term of the sums - the first even number with the first odd number, the second with the second, and so forth. Then, there are 2003 pairs with a difference of 1 in each pair - 2-1 is 1, 4-3 is 1, 6-5 is 1, and so on. Then, the solution is , and the answer is
.
<3
See also
2003 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by First Question |
Followed by Problem 2 | |
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 |
2003 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by First Question |
Followed by Problem 2 |
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 |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZRnm_DGFfY Video solution by canada math