2023 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 6

Problem

The digits 2, 0, 2, and 3 are placed in the expression below, one digit per box. What is the maximum possible value of the expression?

$[asy] // Diagram by TheMathGuyd. I can compress this later size(5cm); real w=2.2; pair O,I,J; O=(0,0);I=(1,0);J=(0,1); path bsqb = O--I; path bsqr = I--I+J; path bsqt = I+J--J; path bsql = J--O; path lsqb = shift((1.2,0.75))*scale(0.5)*bsqb; path lsqr = shift((1.2,0.75))*scale(0.5)*bsqr; path lsqt = shift((1.2,0.75))*scale(0.5)*bsqt; path lsql = shift((1.2,0.75))*scale(0.5)*bsql; draw(bsqb,dashed); draw(bsqr,dashed); draw(bsqt,dashed); draw(bsql,dashed); draw(lsqb,dashed); draw(lsqr,dashed); draw(lsqt,dashed); draw(lsql,dashed); label(scale(3)*"$\times$",(w,1/3)); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*bsqb,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*bsqr,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*bsqt,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*bsql,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*lsqb,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*lsqr,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*lsqt,dashed); draw(shift(1.3w,0)*lsql,dashed); [/asy]$

$\textbf{(A) }0 \qquad \textbf{(B) }8 \qquad \textbf{(C) }9 \qquad \textbf{(D) }16 \qquad \textbf{(E) }18$

Solution 1

First, let us consider the cases where $0$ is a base. This would result in the entire expression being $0$ . However, if $0$ is an exponent, we will get a value greater than $0$ . As $3^2\times2^0=9$ is greater than $2^3\times2^0=8$ and $2^2\times3^0=4$ , the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) }9}$ .

~MathFun1000

Solution 2

The maximum possible value of using the digit $2,0,2,3$ . We can maximize our value by keeping the $3$ and $2$ together in one power. (Biggest with biggest and smallest with smallest) This shows $3^{2}\times2^{0}=9\times1=9$ . (Don't want $0^{2}$ because that is $0$ ) It is going to be $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 9}$ .

~apex304 (SohumUttamchandani, wuwang2002, TaeKim, Cxrupptedpat, stevens0209, ILoveMath31415926535 (editing))

Solution 3 (Bash)

Trying all $24$ possible orderings, we see that the only possible values are $0$ , $4$ , $8$ , and $9$ , the greatest of which is $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 9}$ .

~A_MatheMagician

Video Solution by Magic Square

https://youtu.be/-N46BeEKaCQ?t=5247

2023 AMC 8 (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 5	Followed by Problem 7
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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