Difference between revisions of "2012 AIME I Problems/Problem 5"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
  
When a number in binary notation is subtracted by 1, it will contain the same number of digits as the original only if it originally ended in the digits "10". Therefore all the binary numbers that fit the conditions of this problem end in the digits "10". All the other 7 1's can be distributed in the remaining 11 spaces, and so the answer is <math>{11\choose 7}= \boxed{330}</math>.
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When <math>1</math> is subtracted from a binary number, the number of digits will remain constant if and only if the original number ended in <math>10.</math> Therefore, every subtraction involving two numbers from <math>B</math> will necessarily involve exactly one number ending in <math>10.</math> To solve the problem, then, we can simply count the instances of such numbers. With the <math>10</math> in place, the seven remaining <math>1</math>'s can be distributed in any of the remaining <math>11</math> spaces, so the answer is <math>{11 \choose 7} = \boxed{330}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2012|n=I|num-b=4|num-a=6}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2012|n=I|num-b=4|num-a=6}}

Revision as of 02:01, 17 March 2012

Problem 5

Let $B$ be the set of all binary integers that can be written using exactly $5$ zeros and $8$ ones where leading zeros are allowed. If all possible subtractions are performed in which one element of $B$ is subtracted from another, find the number of times the answer $1$ is obtained.

Solution

When $1$ is subtracted from a binary number, the number of digits will remain constant if and only if the original number ended in $10.$ Therefore, every subtraction involving two numbers from $B$ will necessarily involve exactly one number ending in $10.$ To solve the problem, then, we can simply count the instances of such numbers. With the $10$ in place, the seven remaining $1$'s can be distributed in any of the remaining $11$ spaces, so the answer is ${11 \choose 7} = \boxed{330}$.

See also

2012 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 4
Followed by
Problem 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions