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Difference between revisions of "1999 AHSME Problems/Problem 3"
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<math> \mathrm{(A) \  } \frac 1{80} \qquad \mathrm{(B) \  } \frac 1{40} \qquad \mathrm{(C) \  } \frac 1{18} \qquad \mathrm{(D) \  } \frac 1{9} \qquad \mathrm{(E) \  } \frac 9{80} </math>
 
<math> \mathrm{(A) \  } \frac 1{80} \qquad \mathrm{(B) \  } \frac 1{40} \qquad \mathrm{(C) \  } \frac 1{18} \qquad \mathrm{(D) \  } \frac 1{9} \qquad \mathrm{(E) \  } \frac 9{80} </math>
  
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==Solution==
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==Solutions==
 
===Solution 1===
 
===Solution 1===
  
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Thus, <math>\boxed{E}</math> must be the answer.  Computing <math>\frac{9}{80} = 0.1125</math> as a check, we see that it is <math>0.1125 - 0.1 = 0.0125</math> away from <math>\frac{1}{10}</math>, and similarly it is <math>0.125 - 0.1125 = 0.0125</math> away from <math>\frac{1}{8}</math>.
 
Thus, <math>\boxed{E}</math> must be the answer.  Computing <math>\frac{9}{80} = 0.1125</math> as a check, we see that it is <math>0.1125 - 0.1 = 0.0125</math> away from <math>\frac{1}{10}</math>, and similarly it is <math>0.125 - 0.1125 = 0.0125</math> away from <math>\frac{1}{8}</math>.
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==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 14:36, 13 February 2019

Problem

The number halfway between $1/8$ and $1/10$ is

$\mathrm{(A) \ } \frac 1{80} \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } \frac 1{40} \qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } \frac 1{18} \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } \frac 1{9} \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } \frac 9{80}$

Solutions

Solution 1

To find the number halfway between $\frac{1}{8}$ and $\frac{1}{10}$, simply take the arithmetic mean, which is

$\frac{\frac{1}{8}+\frac{1}{10}}{2}=\frac{\frac{9}{40}}{2}=\frac{9}{80}.$

Thus the answer is choice $\boxed{E}.$

Solution 2

Note that $\frac{1}{10} = 0.1$ and $\frac{1}{8} = 0.125$. Thus, the answer must be greater than $\frac{1}{10}$.

Answers $A$, $B$, and $C$ are all less than $\frac{1}{10}$, so they can be eliminated.

Answer $D$ is equivalent to $0.\overline{1}$, which is $0.0\overline{1}$ away from $0.1$, and is $0.013\overline{8}$ away from $0.125$. These distances are not equal, eliminating $D$.

Thus, $\boxed{E}$ must be the answer. Computing $\frac{9}{80} = 0.1125$ as a check, we see that it is $0.1125 - 0.1 = 0.0125$ away from $\frac{1}{10}$, and similarly it is $0.125 - 0.1125 = 0.0125$ away from $\frac{1}{8}$.

See Also

1999 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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Problem 2 		Followed by
Problem 4
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All AHSME Problems and Solutions

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