2005 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 17

Problem

In the five-sided star shown, the letters $A$, $B$, $C$, $D$, and $E$ are replaced by the numbers $3$, $5$, $6$, $7$, and $9$, although not necessarily in this order. The sums of the numbers at the ends of the line segments $AB$, $BC$, $CD$, $DE$, and $EA$ form an arithmetic sequence, although not necessarily in this order. What is the middle term of the sequence?

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$\mathrm{(A) \ } 9\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 10\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 11\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 12\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 13$

Solution

Each corner (a,b,c,d,e) goes to two sides/numbers. (A goes to AE and AB, D goes to DC and DE). The sum of every term is equal to $2(3+5+6+7+9)=60$

Since the middle term in an arithmetic sequence is the average of all the terms in the sequence, the middle number is $\frac{60}{5}=12\Rightarrow D$

See Also

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