2006 AIME A Problems/Problem 2

Revision as of 12:56, 25 September 2007 by 1=2 (talk | contribs) (Problem)

Problem

Let set $\mathcal{A}$ be a 90-element subset of $\{1,2,3,\ldots,100\},$ and let $S$ be the sum of the elements of $\mathcal{A}.$ Find the number of possible values of $S.$

Solution

By the Triangle Inequality:

$\log_{10} 12 + \log_{10} n > \log_{10} 75$

$\log_{10} 12n > \log_{10} 75$

$12n > 75$

$n > \frac{75}{12} = \frac{25}{4} = 6.25$

Also:

$\log_{10} 12 + \log_{10} 75 > \log_{10} n$

$\log_{10} 12\cdot75 > \log_{10} n$

$n < 900$

Combining these two inequalities:

$6.25 < n < 900$

The number of possible integer values for $n$ is the number of integers over the interval $(6.25 , 900)$, which is $893$.

See also