1952 AHSME Problems

Problem 1

If the radius of a circle is a rational number, its area is given by a number which is:

$\textbf{(A)\ } \text{rational} \qquad \textbf{(B)\ } \text{irrational} \qquad \textbf{(C)\ } \text{integral} \qquad \textbf{(D)\ } \text{a perfect square }\qquad \textbf{(E)\ } \text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 2

Two high school classes took the same test. One class of $20$ students made an average grade of $80\%$ ; the other class of $30$ students made an average grade of $70\%$ . The average grade for all students in both classes is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 75\%\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 74\%\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 72\%\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 77\%\qquad \textbf{(E)\ }\text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 3

The expression $a^3-a^{-3}$ equals:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\left(a-\frac{1}{a}\right)\left(a^2+1+\frac{1}{a^2}\right) \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\left(\frac{1}{a}-a\right)\left(a^2-1+\frac{1}{a^2}\right) \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\left(a-\frac{1}{a}\right)\left(a^2-2+\frac{1}{a^2}\right) \qquad$ $\textbf{(D) \ }\left(\frac{1}{a}-a\right)\left(\frac{1}{a^2}+1+a^2\right) \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 4

The cost $C$ of sending a parcel post package weighing $P$ pounds, $P$ an integer, is $10$ cents for the first pound and $3$ cents for each additional pound. The formula for the cost is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }C=10+3P \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }C=10P+3 \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }C=10+3(P-1) \qquad$

$\textbf{(D) \ }C=9+3P \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }C=10P-7$

Solution

Problem 5

The points $(6,12)$ and $(0,-6)$ are connected by a straight line. Another point on this line is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }(3,3) \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }(2,1) \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }(7,16) \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }(-1,-4) \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }(-3,-8)$

Solution

Problem 6

The difference of the roots of $x^2-7x-9=0$ is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }+7 \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }+\frac{7}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }+9 \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }2\sqrt{85} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\sqrt{85}$

Solution

Problem 7

When simplified, $(x^{-1}+y^{-1})^{-1}$ is equal to:

$\textbf{(A) \ }x+y \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\frac{xy}{x+y} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }xy \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\frac{1}{xy} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\frac{x+y}{xy}$

Solution

Problem 8

Two equal circles in the same plane cannot have the following number of common tangents.

$\textbf{(A) \ }1 \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }2 \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }3 \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }4 \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 9

If $m=\frac{cab}{a-b}$ , then $b$ equals:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\frac{m(a-b)}{ca} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\frac{cab-ma}{-m} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\frac{1}{1+c} \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\frac{ma}{m+ca} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\frac{m+ca}{ma}$

Solution

Problem 10

An automobile went up a hill at a speed of $10$ miles an hour and down the same distance at a speed of $20$ miles an hour. The average speed for the round trip was:

$\textbf{(A) \ }12\frac{1}{2}\text{mph} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }13\frac{1}{3}\text{mph} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }14\frac{1}{2}\text{mph} \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }15\text{mph} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 11

If $y=f(x)=\frac{x+2}{x-1}$ , then it is incorrect to say:

$\textbf{(A)\ }x=\frac{y+2}{y-1}\qquad\textbf{(B)\ }f(0)=-2\qquad\textbf{(C)\ }f(1)=0\qquad$

$\textbf{(D)\ }f(-2)=0\qquad\textbf{(E)\ }f(y)=x$

Solution

Problem 12

The sum to infinity of the terms of an infinite geometric progression is $6$ . The sum of the first two terms is $4\frac{1}{2}$ . The first term of the progression is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }3 \text{ or } 1\frac{1}{2} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }1 \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }2\frac{1}{2} \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }6 \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }9\text{ or }3$

Solution

Problem 13

The function $x^2+px+q$ with $p$ and $q$ greater than zero has its minimum value when:

$\textbf{(A) \ }x=-p \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }x=\frac{p}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }x=-2p \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }x=\frac{p^2}{4q} \qquad$

$\textbf{(E) \ }x=\frac{-p}{2}$

Solution

Problem 14

A house and store were sold for $\textdollar 12,000$ each. The house was sold at a loss of $20\%$ of the cost, and the store at a gain of $20\%$ of the cost. The entire transaction resulted in:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\text{no loss or gain} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\text{loss of }\textdollar 1000 \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\text{gain of }\textdollar 1000 \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\text{gain of }\textdollar 2000 \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 15

The sides of a triangle are in the ratio $6:8:9$ . Then:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\text{the triangle is obtuse}$

$\textbf{(B) \ }\text{the angles are in the ratio }6:8:9$

$\textbf{(C) \ }\text{the triangle is acute}$

$\textbf{(D) \ }\text{the angle opposite the largest side is double the angle opposite the smallest side}$

$\textbf{(E) \ }\text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 16

If the base of a rectangle is increased by $10\%$ and the area is unchanged, then the altitude is decreased by:

$\textbf{(A) \ }9\% \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }10\% \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }11\% \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }11\frac{1}{9}\% \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }9\frac{1}{11}\%$

Solution

Problem 17

A merchant bought some goods at a discount of $20\%$ of the list price. He wants to mark them at such a price that he can give a discount of $20\%$ of the marked price and still make a profit of $20\%$ of the selling price.. The per cent of the list price at which he should mark them is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }20 \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }100 \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }125 \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }80 \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }120$

Solution

Problem 18

$\log p+\log q=\log(p+q)$ only if:

$\textbf{(A) \ }p=q=\text{zero} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }p=\frac{q^2}{1-q} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }p=q=1 \qquad$

$\textbf{(D) \ }p=\frac{q}{q-1} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }p=\frac{q}{q+1}$

Solution

Problem 19

Angle $B$ of triangle $ABC$ is trisected by $BD$ and $BE$ which meet $AC$ at $D$ and $E$ respectively. Then:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\frac{AD}{EC}=\frac{AE}{DC} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\frac{AD}{EC}=\frac{AB}{BC} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\frac{AD}{EC}=\frac{BD}{BE} \qquad$

$\textbf{(D) \ }\frac{AD}{EC}=\frac{(AB)(BD)}{(BE)(BC)} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\frac{AD}{EC}=\frac{(AE)(BD)}{(DC)(BE)}$

Solution

Problem 20

If $\frac{x}{y}=\frac{3}{4}$ , then the incorrect expression in the following is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\frac{x+y}{y}=\frac{7}{4} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\frac{y}{y-x}=\frac{4}{1} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\frac{x+2y}{x}=\frac{11}{3} \qquad$

$\textbf{(D) \ }\frac{x}{2y}=\frac{3}{8} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\frac{x-y}{y}=\frac{1}{4}$

Solution

Problem 21

The sides of a regular polygon of $n$ sides, $n>4$ , are extended to form a star. The number of degrees at each point of the star is:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\frac{360}{n} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\frac{(n-4)180}{n} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\frac{(n-2)180}{n} \qquad$

$\textbf{(D) \ }180-\frac{90}{n} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\frac{180}{n}$

Solution

Problem 22

On hypotenuse $AB$ of a right triangle $ABC$ a second right triangle $ABD$ is constructed with hypotenuse $AB$ . If $\overline{BC}=1$ , $\overline{AC}=b$ , and $\overline{AD}=2$ , then $\overline{BD}$ equals:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\sqrt{b^2+1} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\sqrt{b^2-3} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }\sqrt{b^2+1}+2 \qquad$

$\textbf{(D) \ }b^2+5 \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }\sqrt{b^2+3}$

Solution

Problem 23

If $\frac{x^2-bx}{ax-c}=\frac{m-1}{m+1}$ has roots which are numerically equal but of opposite signs, the value of $m$ must be:

$\textbf{(A) \ }\frac{a-b}{a+b} \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }\frac{a+b}{a-b} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }c \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\frac{1}{c} \qquad \textbf{(E) \ }1$

Solution

Problem 24

In the figure, it is given that angle $C = 90^{\circ}$ , $\overline{AD} = \overline{DB}$ , $DE \perp AB$ , $\overline{AB} = 20$ , and $\overline{AC} = 12$ . The area of quadrilateral $ADEC$ is: $[asy] unitsize(7); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(10pt)); pair A,B,C,D,E; A=(0,0); B=(20,0); C=(36/5,48/5); D=(10,0); E=(10,75/10); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(D--E); label("$A$",A,SW); label("$B$",B,SE); label("$C$",C,N); label("$D$",D,S); label("$E$",E,NE); draw(rightanglemark(B,D,E,30)); [/asy]$

$\textbf{(A)}\ 75\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 58\frac{1}{2}\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 48\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 37\frac{1}{2}\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 25

A powderman set a fuse for a blast to take place in $30$ seconds. He ran away at a rate of $8$ yards per second. Sound travels at the rate of $1080$ feet per second. When the powderman heard the blast, he had run approximately:

$\textbf{(A)}\ \text{200 yd.}\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \text{352 yd.}\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \text{300 yd.}\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \text{245 yd.}\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \text{512 yd.}$

Solution

Problem 26

If $\left(r+\frac1r\right)^2=3$ , then $r^3+\frac1{r^3}$ equals

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 0\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 6$

Solution

Problem 27

The ratio of the perimeter of an equilateral triangle having an altitude equal to the radius of a circle, to the perimeter of an equilateral triangle inscribed in the circle is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1:2\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 1:3\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 1:\sqrt3\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \sqrt3:2 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 2:3$

Solution

Problem 28

In the table shown, the formula relating $x$ and $y$ is:

$\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|l|l|} \hline x & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\ \hline y & 3 & 7 & 13 & 21 & 31 \\ \hline \end{tabular}$

$\textbf{(A)}\ y=4x-1 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ y=x^{3}-x^{2}+x+2 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ y=x^2+x+1 \\ \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ y=(x^2+x+1)(x-1) \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \text{None of these}$

Solution

Problem 29

In a circle of radius $5$ units, $CD$ and $AB$ are perpendicular diameters. A chord cutting $CH$ cutting $AB$ at $K$ is $8$ units long. The diameter $AB$ is divided into two segments whose dimensions are:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 1.25, 8.75 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 2.75, 7.25\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 2,8 \qquad \textbf{(D)} \ 4,6 \qquad \textbf{(E)} \text{None of these}$

Solution

Problem 30

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 31

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 32

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 33

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 34

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 35

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 36

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 37

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 38

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 39

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 40

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 41

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 42

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 43

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 44

If an integer of two digits is $k$ times the sum of its digits, the number formed by interchanging the the digits is the sum of the digits multiplied by

$\textbf{(A) \ } 9-k \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } 10-k \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } 11-k \qquad \textbf{(D) \ } k-1 \qquad \textbf{(E) \ } k+1$

Solution

Problem 45

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 46

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 47

$\textbf{(A) \ } \qquad \textbf{(B) \ } \qquad \textbf{(C) \ } \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }\qquad \textbf{(E) \ }$

Solution

Problem 48

Two cyclists, $k$ miles apart, and starting at the same time, would be together in $r$ hours if they traveled in the same direction, but would pass each other in $t$ hours if they traveled in opposite directions. The ratio of the speed of the faster cyclist to that of the slower is:

$\text{(A) } \frac {r + t}{r - t} \qquad \text{(B) } \frac {r}{r - t} \qquad \text{(C) } \frac {r + t}{r} \qquad \text{(D) } \frac{r}{t}\qquad \text{(E) } \frac{r+k}{t-k}$

Solution

Problem 49

$[asy] unitsize(27); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(10pt)); pair A,B,C,D,E,F,X,Y,Z; A=(3,3); B=(0,0); C=(6,0); D=(4,0); E=(4,2); F=(1,1); draw(A--B--C--cycle); draw(A--D); draw(B--E); draw(C--F); X=intersectionpoint(A--D,C--F); Y=intersectionpoint(B--E,A--D); Z=intersectionpoint(B--E,C--F); label("$A$",A,N); label("$B$",B,SW); label("$C$",C,SE); label("$D$",D,S); label("$E$",E,NE); label("$F$",F,NW); label("$N_1$",X,NE); label("$N_2$",Y,WNW); label("$N_3$",Z,S); [/asy]$

In the figure, $\overline{CD}$ , $\overline{AE}$ and $\overline{BF}$ are one-third of their respective sides. It follows that $\overline{AN_2}: \overline{N_2N_1}: \overline{N_1D} = 3: 3: 1$ , and similarly for lines BE and CF. Then the area of triangle $N_1N_2N_3$ is:

$\text{(A) } \frac {1}{10} \triangle ABC \qquad \text{(B) } \frac {1}{9} \triangle ABC \qquad \text{(C) } \frac{1}{7}\triangle ABC\qquad \text{(D) } \frac{1}{6}\triangle ABC\qquad \text{(E) } \text{none of these}$

Solution

Problem 50

A line initially 1 inch long grows according to the following law, where the first term is the initial length.

\[1+\frac{1}{4}\sqrt{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{16}\sqrt{2}+\frac{1}{16}+\frac{1}{64}\sqrt{2}+\frac{1}{64}+\cdots\] (Error making remote request. Unexpected URL sent back)

If the growth process continues forever, the limit of the length of the line is:

$\textbf{(A) } \infty\qquad \textbf{(B) } \frac{4}{3}\qquad \textbf{(C) } \frac{8}{3}\qquad \textbf{(D) } \frac{1}{3}(4+\sqrt{2})\qquad \textbf{(E) } \frac{2}{3}(4+\sqrt{2})$

Solution

1952 AHSC (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by 1951 AHSME	Followed by 1953 AHSME
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All AHSME Problems and Solutions

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1952 AHSME Problems

Contents

Problem 1

Problem 2

Problem 3

Problem 4

Problem 5

Problem 6

Problem 7

Problem 8

Problem 9

Problem 10

Problem 11

Problem 12

Problem 13

Problem 14

Problem 15

Problem 16

Problem 17

Problem 18

Problem 19

Problem 20

Problem 21

Problem 22

Problem 23

Problem 24

Problem 25

Problem 26

Problem 27

Problem 28

Problem 29

Problem 30

Problem 31

Problem 32

Problem 33

Problem 34

Problem 35

Problem 36

Problem 37

Problem 38

Problem 39

Problem 40

Problem 41

Problem 42

Problem 43

Problem 44

Problem 45

Problem 46

Problem 47

Problem 48

Problem 49

Problem 50

See also