Difference between revisions of "1963 AHSME Problems/Problem 23"

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Thus, <math>A</math> started out with <math>26</math> cents, which is answer choice <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}</math>.
 
Thus, <math>A</math> started out with <math>26</math> cents, which is answer choice <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}</math>.
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== Solution 2 ==
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 18:46, 23 December 2019

Problem

A gives $B$ as many cents as $B$ has and $C$ as many cents as $C$ has. Similarly, $B$ then gives $A$ and $C$ as many cents as each then has. $C$, similarly, then gives $A$ and $B$ as many cents as each then has. If each finally has $16$ cents, with how many cents does $A$ start?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 24 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 26\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 28 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 30 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 32$

Solution

Let $a$ be number of cents $A$ originally had, $b$ be number of cents $B$ originally had, and $c$ be number of cents $C$ originally had.

After $A$ gave his money away, $A$ has $a-b-c$ cents, $B$ has $2b$ cents, and $C$ has $2c$ cents.

After $B$ gave his money away, $A$ has $2a-2b-2c$ cents, $B$ has $-a+3b-c$ cents, and $C$ has $4c$ cents.

After $C$ gave his money away, $A$ has $4a-4b-4c$ cents, $B$ has $-2a+6b-2c$ cents, and $C$ has $-a-b+7c$ cents.

Since all of them have $16$ cents in the end, we can write a system of equations. \[4a-4b-4c=16\] \[-2a+6b-2c=16\] \[-a-b+7c=16\] Note that adding the three equation yields $a+b+c=48$, so $4a+4b+4c=192$. Therefore, $8a=208$, so $a = 26$. Solving for $a$ can also be done traditionally.

Thus, $A$ started out with $26$ cents, which is answer choice $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}$.


Solution 2

See Also

1963 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 22
Followed by
Problem 24
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