Difference between revisions of "2019 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 25"

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==Solution 3==
 
==Solution 3==
Let's assume that the three of them have <math>x, y, z</math> apples. Since each of them has to have at least <math>2</math> apples, we say that <math>a+2=x, b+2=y</math> and <math>c+2=z</math>. Thus, <math>a+b+c+6=24 \implies a+b+c=18</math>, and so by stars and bars, the number of solutions for this is <math>{n+k-1 \choose k} \implies {18+3-1 \choose 3-1} \implies {20 \choose 2}  = \boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 190}</math> - aops5234 and DragonWarrior123
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Let's assume that the three of them have <math>x, y, z</math> apples. Since each of them has to have at least <math>2</math> apples, we say that <math>a+2=x, b+2=y</math> and <math>c+2=z</math>. Thus, <math>a+b+c+6=24 \implies a+b+c=18</math>, and so by stars and bars, the number of solutions for this is <math>{n+k-1 \choose k} \implies {18+3-1 \choose 3-1} \implies {20 \choose 2}  = \boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 190}</math> - aops5234  
  
  

Revision as of 15:15, 6 April 2020

Problem 25

Alice has $24$ apples. In how many ways can she share them with Becky and Chris so that each of the three people has at least two apples? $\textbf{(A) }105\qquad\textbf{(B) }114\qquad\textbf{(C) }190\qquad\textbf{(D) }210\qquad\textbf{(E) }380$

Solution 1

We use stars and bars. The problem asks for the number of integer solutions $(a,b,c)$ such that $a+b+c = 24$ and $a,b,c \ge 2$. We can subtract 2 from $a$, $b$, $c$, so that we equivalently seek the number of non-negative integer solutions to $a' + b' + c' = 18$. By stars and bars (using 18 stars and 2 bars), the number of solutions is $\binom{18+2}{2} = \binom{20}{2} = \boxed{\textbf{(C) }190}$.

Solution 2

Without loss of generality, let's assume that Alice has $2$ apples. There are $19$ ways to split the rest of the apples with Becky and Chris. If Alice has $3$ apples, there are $18$ ways to split the rest of the apples with Becky and Chris. If Alice has $4$ apples, there are $17$ ways to split the rest. So the total number of ways to split $24$ apples between the three friends is equal to $19 + 18 + 17...…… + 1 = 20\times \frac{19}{2}=\boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 190}$

Solution 3

Let's assume that the three of them have $x, y, z$ apples. Since each of them has to have at least $2$ apples, we say that $a+2=x, b+2=y$ and $c+2=z$. Thus, $a+b+c+6=24 \implies a+b+c=18$, and so by stars and bars, the number of solutions for this is ${n+k-1 \choose k} \implies {18+3-1 \choose 3-1} \implies {20 \choose 2}  = \boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 190}$ - aops5234



Video explaining solution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dBUklyUaNI

See Also

2019 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 24
Followed by
Last Problem
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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