Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "2005 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 24"

(→‎Solution 1 (Unrigorous))
(→‎Solution 1 (Unrigorous))
Line 15: Line 15:
 
  <math>3-1 = 2</math>,  
 
  <math>3-1 = 2</math>,  
 
  <math>2 \div 2 = 1</math>.   
 
  <math>2 \div 2 = 1</math>.   
−
Since we've reached <math>1</math>, it's clear that the answer should be <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 9}</math>- <math>\boxed{\textbf{Javapost}}</math>.
+
Since we've reached <math>1</math>, it's clear that the answer should be <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 9}</math>- <math>\boxed{\textbf{Javapost}}</math>. Because we only subtracted <math>1</math> when we had to, this is optimal. ~Roy2020
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AMC8 box|year=2005|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
 
{{AMC8 box|year=2005|num-b=23|num-a=25}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 17:22, 21 December 2023

Problem

A certain calculator has only two keys [+1] and [x2]. When you press one of the keys, the calculator automatically displays the result. For instance, if the calculator originally displayed "9" and you pressed [+1], it would display "10." If you then pressed [x2], it would display "20." Starting with the display "1," what is the fewest number of keystrokes you would need to reach "200"?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 8\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 9\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 10\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 11\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 12$

Solution 1 (Unrigorous)

We can start at $200$ and work our way down to $1$. We want to press the button that multiplies by $2$ the most, but since we are going down instead of up, we divide by $2$ instead. If we come across an odd number, then we will subtract that number by $1$. Notice 

$200 \div 2 = 100$,  
$100 \div 2 = 50$,  
$50 \div 2 = 25$,
$25-1 = 24$,  
$24 \div 2 = 12$,  
$12 \div 2 = 6$,  
$6 \div 2 = 3$,  
$3-1 = 2$, 
$2 \div 2 = 1$.

Since we've reached $1$, it's clear that the answer should be $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 9}$- $\boxed{\textbf{Javapost}}$. Because we only subtracted $1$ when we had to, this is optimal. ~Roy2020

See Also

2005 AMC 8 (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 23 		Followed by
Problem 25
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

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2005_AMC_8_Problems/Problem_24&oldid=208062"