Difference between revisions of "1976 AHSME Problems/Problem 28"

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B\cap C & 25\cdot50 \\
 
B\cap C & 25\cdot50 \\
 
\end{array}</cmath>
 
\end{array}</cmath>
Together, the answer is <cmath>1+\binom{50}{2}+25\cdot25+25\cdot50+\25\cdot50=1+1225+625+1250+1250=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }4351}.</cmath>
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Together, the answer is <cmath>1+\binom{50}{2}+25\cdot25+25\cdot50+25\cdot50=1+1225+625+1250+1250=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }4351}.</cmath>
 
~MRENTHUSIASM
 
~MRENTHUSIASM
  

Revision as of 15:56, 8 September 2021

Problem

Lines $L_1,L_2,\dots,L_{100}$ are distinct. All lines $L_{4n}, n$ a positive integer, are parallel to each other. All lines $L_{4n-3}, n$ a positive integer, pass through a given point $A.$ The maximum number of points of intersection of pairs of lines from the complete set $\{L_1,L_2,\dots,L_{100}\}$ is

$\textbf{(A) }4350\qquad \textbf{(B) }4351\qquad \textbf{(C) }4900\qquad \textbf{(D) }4901\qquad  \textbf{(E) }9851$

Solution

We partition $\{L_1,L_2,\dots,L_{100}\}$ into three sets. Let \begin{align*} A &= \{L_n\mid n\equiv0\pmod{4}\}, \\ B &= \{L_n\mid n\equiv1\pmod{4}\}, \\ C &= \{L_n\mid n\equiv2,3\pmod{4}\}, \end{align*} from which $|A|=|B|=25$ and $|C|=50.$

To maximize the number of points of intersection, note that each point of intersection is passed by exactly two lines. If three or more lines pass through the same point, then we can create more points of intersection by translating the lines.

We construct the following table: \[\begin{array}{c|c} & \\ [-2ex] \textbf{Set} & \textbf{\# of Points of Intersection} \\ [0.5ex] \hline & \\ [-2ex] A & 0 \\ [1ex] B & 1 \\ [1ex] C & \binom{50}{2} \\ [1ex] A\cap B & 25\cdot25 \\ [1ex] A\cap C & 25\cdot50 \\ [1ex] B\cap C & 25\cdot50 \\ \end{array}\] Together, the answer is \[1+\binom{50}{2}+25\cdot25+25\cdot50+25\cdot50=1+1225+625+1250+1250=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }4351}.\] ~MRENTHUSIASM

See also

1976 AHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 27
Followed by
Problem 29
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