Difference between revisions of "2010 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 17"
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− | Let the <math>n</math> be the number of schools, <math>3n</math> be the number of contestants, and <math>x</math> be Andrea's score. Since the number of participants divided by three is the number of schools, <math>n\geq\frac{64}3=21\ | + | Let the <math>n</math> be the number of schools, <math>3n</math> be the number of contestants, and <math>x</math> be Andrea's score. Since the number of participants divided by three is the number of schools, <math>n\geq\frac{64}3=21\frac13</math>. Since Andrea received a higher score than her teammates, <math>x\leq36</math>. Since <math>36</math> is the maximum possible median, then <math>2*36-1=71</math>is the maximum possible number of participants. Therefore, <math>3n\leq71\Rightarrow n\leq\frac{71}3=23\frac23</math>. This yields the compound inequality: <math>21\frac13\leq n\leq |
23\frac23</math>. Since a set with an even number of elements has a median that is the average of the two middle terms, an occurrence that cannot happen in this situation, <math>n</math> cannot be even. <math>\boxed{\mathrm {(B)} 23}</math> is the only other option. | 23\frac23</math>. Since a set with an even number of elements has a median that is the average of the two middle terms, an occurrence that cannot happen in this situation, <math>n</math> cannot be even. <math>\boxed{\mathrm {(B)} 23}</math> is the only other option. |
Revision as of 02:13, 25 January 2011
Problem
Every high school in the city of Euclid sent a team of students to a math contest. Each participant in the contest received a different score. Andrea's score was the median among all students, and hers was the highest score on her team. Andrea's teammates Beth and Carla placed
th and
th, respectively. How many schools are in the city?
Solution
Let the be the number of schools,
be the number of contestants, and
be Andrea's score. Since the number of participants divided by three is the number of schools,
. Since Andrea received a higher score than her teammates,
. Since
is the maximum possible median, then
is the maximum possible number of participants. Therefore,
. This yields the compound inequality:
. Since a set with an even number of elements has a median that is the average of the two middle terms, an occurrence that cannot happen in this situation,
cannot be even.
is the only other option.