Difference between revisions of "1990 AJHSME Problems/Problem 19"

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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
  
p is a person seated, o is an empty seat
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Let <math>p</math> be a person seated and <math>o</math> is an empty seat
  
The pattern of seating that results in the fewest occupied seats is opoopoopoo...po
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The pattern of seating that results in the fewest occupied seats is <math>\text{opoopoopoo...po}</math>.
we can group the seats in 3s
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We can group the seats in 3s like this: <math>\text{opo opo opo ... opo}.</math>
opo opo opo ...opo
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There are a total of <math>40=\boxed{B}</math> groups
  
there are a total of <math>\boxed{40}</math> groups
 
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
  
 
{{AJHSME box|year=1990|num-b=18|num-a=20}}
 
{{AJHSME box|year=1990|num-b=18|num-a=20}}
 
[[Category:Introductory Combinatorics Problems]]
 
[[Category:Introductory Combinatorics Problems]]

Latest revision as of 00:59, 25 November 2020

Problem

There are $120$ seats in a row. What is the fewest number of seats that must be occupied so the next person to be seated must sit next to someone?

$\text{(A)}\ 30 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 40 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 41 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 60 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 119$

Solution

Let $p$ be a person seated and $o$ is an empty seat

The pattern of seating that results in the fewest occupied seats is $\text{opoopoopoo...po}$. We can group the seats in 3s like this: $\text{opo opo opo ... opo}.$

There are a total of $40=\boxed{B}$ groups

See Also

1990 AJHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 18
Followed by
Problem 20
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 AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions