THE CONTEST a PROBLEM BOOK “7 PROBLEMS FROM THE ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL CONTESTS OF THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Compiled and with solutions by CHARLES T. SALKIND A nickel is placed on a table. What is the number of nickels which can be placed around it so that each is tangent to it and to two others? New Mathematical LibraryTHE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Problems from the Annual High School Contests of the Mathematical Association of America, compiled and with solutions by Charles T. Salkind Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute THE, Als wu t Ivo! “enatt 5 RANDOM HOUSEIllustrations by Florence W. Cochrane First Printing © Copyright, 1961, by Yale University All righte reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in New York by Random House, Inc., and simultaneously in Toronto, Canada, by Random House of Canada, Limited. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 61-13843 Manufactured in the United States of AmericaIL paee Iv CONTENTS Preface Problems Answer Keys Solutions Classification of Problems 75 79 150PREFACE Mathematical problems are older than mathematics itself. Stated as puzzles, they are found in the oldest written records. An Egyptian papyrus, dating back to 2200 p.c., asks: “A heap and its seventh make 19, how large is the heap?” Although this is stated almost as tersely as we would do it today (“if z + (1/7)z = 19, find 2”), ancient prob- lems often appear in more poetical garb. Here is a charming example from India (recorded about 1150 a.p.): Out of a heap of pure lotus flowers, a third part, a fifth and a sixth were offered respectively to the gods Siva, Vishnu, and then Sun; a quarter of the original heap was presented to Bhavani. The remaining six lotuses were given to the venerable preceptor. Tell quickly the whole number of lotus flowers. This sounds more exciting than: Solve the equation detiv tie tie +6 = 2; but of course our way of stating the problem has an overriding ad- vantage: it makes the solution easier. The glory of elevating mathematics from the level of problem solv- ing to that of a science belongs to the ancient Greeks. But these Greek mathematicians did not neglect the art of inventing and solving prob- lems. Three of their proposed geometric problems remained challenges to mathematicians until the 19th century. The “three famous prob- lems of antiquity” asked for the trisection of an angle, the doubling of a cube, and the squaring of a circle, using only straight edge and compass. In spite of centuries of failure with these problems, efforts 12 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK continued until it was proved, with the aid of algebraic theorems, that, in each case, the construction is impossible with the specified tools. Since the time of the Greeks, such problems have stimulated the growth of mathematics and led mathematicians to invent new methods and to develop new concepts. On a more modest but equally important level, such problems have provided an unexcelled training ground for young mathematicians. But problem-solving never was the exclusive domain of professionals. At all times it provided intellectual stimula- tion and joy for many professionally outside the field of mathematics. During the Renaissance in Italy problem-solving became a competi- tive sport and public contests between mathematicians were not un- common. Sometimes the competitive spirit led to excesses. For example, in the 16th century, Tartaglia, the winner of such a contest, had to flee town to escape violence at the hands of the fans of the local cham- pion. The subject of this particular contest was cubic equations and, in preparing for it, Tartaglia discovered important formulas for solving them. In our own day mathematicians still compete with each other in solving problems—less publicly, less violently, but perhaps with the same intensity. The end of the 19th century saw the beginning of organized com- petitions among secondary school students. The so-called Eétvés Competition} in Hungary (begun in 1894) is justly famous; it has probably played its part in producing so many superior mathemati- cians and physicists from this small country. In the Soviet Union high school students take part in a university-sponsored system of mathematical “olympics”. In America the tradition of periodic competitions among students of mathematics is almost fifty years old. There are, for example, the Inter-scholastic Mathematics League in New York City and Long Island and the annual competitions conducted by Pi Mu Epsilon of New York University; there are also state-wide and regional programs in Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, and at Stanford University, and else- where. As our first problem book we present the complete set of prob- lems proposed by the Mathematical Association of America in its annual contests for high school students. + Translations of these problems and solutions will appear in the NML series.PREFACE 3 The MAA is concerned primarily with mathematics on the under- graduate level. It is one of the three major mathematical organiza- tions in America (the other two being the American Mathematical Society, chiefly concerned with mathematical research, and the Na- tional Council of Teachers of Mathematics, concerned with the content and pedagogy of elementary and secondary mathematics). The MAA also conducts the annual “Putnam Competition” for under-graduate students. Its journal, The American Mathematical Monthly, is famous for its elementary and advanced problem sections. When the MAA contest was first organized in 1950 it was restricted to the Metropolitan New York area. It became a national project in 1957, receiving in that same year co-sponsorship by the Society of Actuaries. In 1960 more than 150,000 students from 5,200 schools participated in the program. The contest is conducted in nearly every state and territory of the U. S. and in the more-populated provinces of Canada. The MAA contest is based entirely on the standard high school curriculum (except for a very few problems in the earlier tests) and pre-supposes no advanced knowledge. Readers who find these problems too easy are advised to try the problem sections of other NML books and to await additional NML problem books which are now in prepara- tion. Part I of each examination tests fundamental skills based on con- ceptual understanding, while Parts II and III probe beyond mere reproduction of class-room work. For the ten years this contest was conducted, only three people scored} perfectly (150); a score of 80 or more places a contestant on the Honor Roll. The editors are grateful to the MAA for permission to publish this collection, and to Prof. Charles T. Salkind for compiling the book and for supplying a classification of problems with their complete solutions. In preparing this collection, the compiler and the editors have made a fewminor changes in the statements of the original contest problems, for the sake of greater clarity. + Scoring is as follows: 1950-1959 Part I 2 points each, Part II 3 points each, Part IIT 4 points each; 1960 Part I 3 points each, Part IT 4 points each, Part 11] 5 points each.SUGGESTIONS FOR USING THIS BOOK This problem collection is designed to be used by mathematics clubs, high school teachers, students, and other interested individuals. Clearly, no one would profit from doing all the problems, but he would benefit from those that present a challenge to him. The reader might try himself on a whole test or on part of a test, with (or preferably without) time limitations. He should try to get as far as possible with the solution to a problem. If he is really stuck, he should look up the answer in the key, see pages 75-78, and try to work backwards; if this fails, the section of com- plete solutions should be consulted, see pages 79-149. In studying solutions, even the successful problem solver may find sidelights he had overlooked; he may find a more “elegant” or a dif- ferent way of solving the problem which may lead him deeper into mathematics. He may find it interesting to change items in the hy- pothesis and to see how this affects the solution, or to invent his own problems. Tf a reader is interested in a special type of problem, he should con- sult the classified index. The following familiar symbols appear in this book: Symbol Meaning ~ — similar (if used in connection with plane figures) approximately equal (if used in connection with numbers) therefore identically equal to less than less than or equal to greater than greater than or equal to absolute value of the number k triangle the number 1-2? + 1-2! + 0-29, ie., the number 6 when written in a number system with base 2 instead of 10. congruent different from. perpendicular to length of the line segment XY EDEVVINA It 2 Pe ar KAR x L. Bers J. H. Hlavaty New York, 1960> ° Problems 1950 Examination Part1 . If 64 is divided into three parts proportional to 2, 4 and 6, the smallest part is: (A) 54 (B) 11 (C) 10} (D) 5 (EB) none of these answers . Let R = gS — 4. When S = 8, R = 16. When S = 10, RF is equal to: (A)11 (B14 (C20. (D) 21 (B) none of these . The sum of the roots of the equation 4z* + 5 — 8x = 0 is equal to: (A)8 (B)-5 (C)-% (D)—-2 (E) none of these ab ab—v. Reduced to lowest terms, “= — -—. is equal to: a at — 2b (A) b (B) ab (C)a? (D)a— 2b (E) none of these . If five geometric means are inserted between 8 and 5832, the fifth term in the geometric series is: (A) 648 (B) 832 (C) 1168 (D) 1944 (E) none of these The values of y which will satisfy the equations Qe? + r+ By +1 =0 22+ y+3=0 may be found by solving: (A) y+ l4y—-7=0 (B)y?+8y+1=0 (C)y*+ lWy-7=0 (D) y7+y—12=0 (E) none of these equations 5x 2 ll. 12. 13. 16. 17. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK If the digit 1 is placed after a two digit number whose tens’ digitis {, and units’ digit is u, the new number is: (A) l0¢+u+1 (B) 100+ 10u+1 (C) 1000¢ + 10u+1 (D)t+u+1 (E) none of these answers If the radius of a circle is increased 100%, the urea is increased: (A) 100% (B) 200% (C) 300% (D) 400% (E) by none of these The area of the largest triangle that can be inscribed in a semi-circle whose radius is r is: (A)r? (B)r*— (C) 2r® (D) 2r*—(E) fr? |. Aiter rationalizing the numerator of 3 viy, the denominator in simplest form is: (A) V38(V3 + V2) (B) V3(V3 — V2) (C)3 - V38V2 (D)3+ V6 (E) none of these answers If in the formula C = ree’ n is increased while ¢, R and r are kept constant, then C: (A) decreases (B) increases (C) remains constant (D) increases and then decreases (E) decreases and then increases As the number of sides of a polygon increases from 3 to m, the sum of the exterior angles formed by extending each side in succession: (A) increases (B) decreases (C) remains constant (D) cannot be predicted (E) becomes (n — 3) straight angles The roots of (x? — 3x + 2)(z)(x — 4) = 0 are: (A)4 (B)Oand4 (C)1and2 (D)0,1,2and4 (B)1,2and4 . For the simultaneous equations 2r — 3y = 8 fy — 4x = 9: (Az=4,y=0 (B)z=0,¥=% ()zr=0, y=0 (D) there is no solution () there are an infinite number of solutions . The real factors of x? + 4 are: (A) (@* + 2)@? +2) (B) (x? + 2)@*— 2) (C) 2a + 4) (D) (2? — 2x + 2)(2* + 22 +2) (E) non-existent Part 2 ‘The number of terms in the expansion of ((a + 3b)(a — 3b)" when simplified is: (44 (B)5 (C)6 (D7 (8 The formula which expresses the relationship between z and y as shown in the accompanying table is:19. 21. PROBLEMS: 1950 EXAMINATION 7 2 70 (A) y = 100-102 (B) y = 100 - 52" (C) y = 100 — 52 — Sat (D) y =20—z—2zt (E) none of these Of the following (1) a(z — y) = az — ay (2) a¥ = at — av (8) log (z — y) = log z — logy (4) log z/log y = logz — logy (8) olay) = az-ay: (A) only 1 and 4 are true (B) only 1 and 5 are true (C) only 1 and 3 are true (D) only 1 and 2 are true (E) only 1 is true If m men can doa job in d days, then m +r men cando the job in: (A)d+r days (B)d—r days (0) days (D) 74; days (E) none of these When 2" + 1 is divided by z — 1, the remainder is: (A)1 (B)—-1 (C)O0 (D)2_ (E) none of these answers The volume of a rectangular solid each of whose side, front, and bottom faces are 12 sq. in., 8 sq. in., and 6 sq. in. respectively is: (A) 576 cu.in. (B) 24cu.in. (C)Qeu.in. (D) 104 ou. in. (E) none of these m+r . Snevessive discounts of 10% and 20% are equivalent to a single discount a 30% (B)15% (C)72% (D) 28% (E) none of these A man buys @ house for $10,000 and rents it. He puts 12}% of each month’s rent aside for repairs and upkeep; pays $325 a year taxes and realizes 54% on his investment. The monthly rent is: (A) $64.82 (B) $83.33 (C) $72.08 (D) $45.83 (E) $177.08 . The equation z + »/z—2 = 4 has: (A) 2 real roots (B) 1 real and 1 imaginary root (C) 2 imaginary roots (D)noroots (E) | real root ‘The value of log, (125)(625) (25625) ees) (A) 725 (B) 6 © 3125 (D) 5 — (E) none of these If logigm = b — logion, then m = , (2 @)m (ida (~D)b~ 10" He A car travels 120 miles from A to B at 30 miles per hour but returns the same distance at 40 miles per hour. The average speed for the round trip is closest to: (A) 33 mph (B) 34mph (C) 35 mph_(D) 36 mph_(E) 37 mph is equal to:8 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 28. Two boys A and B start at the same time to ride from Port Jervis to Poughkeepsie, 60 miles away: A travels 4 miles an hour slower than B. B reaches Poughkeepsie and at once turns back meeting A 12 miles from Poughkeepsie. The rate of A was: (A)4 mph (B)8mph (C)12mph (D) 16 mph (E) 20 mph 29. A manufacturer built a machine which will address 500 envelopes in 8 minutes. He wishes to build another machine so that when both are operating together they will address 500 envelopes in 2 minutes. The equation used to find how many minutes z it would require the second machine to address 500 envelopes alone is: 1 1 1 500 , 500 (A)B-2=2 (Betas (C)=E + = 500 (D)F+5= 1 (B) none of these answers 30. From a group of boys and girls, 15 girls leave. There are then left two boys for each girl. After this 45 boys leave. There are then 5 girls for each boy. The number of girls in the beginning was: (A) 40 (B) 43 (C) 29 (D) 50 (E) none of these 31. John ordered 4 pairs of black socks and some additional pairs of blue socks. The price of the black socks per pair was twice that of the blue. When the order was filled, it was found that the number of pairs of the two colors had been interchanged. This increased the bill by 50%. The ratio of the number of pairs of black socks to the number of pairs of blue socks in the original order was: (A)4:1 (B21 (C4 (D) 2H) 1:8 32, A 25 foot ladder is placed against a vertical wall of a building. The foot of the ladder is 7 feet from the base of the building. If the top of the ladder slips 4 feet, then the foot of the ladder will slide: (A) 9ft. (B) 15 ft. (C) 5 ft. (D) Bt. (BE) 4 ft. 33, The number of circular pipes with an inside diameter of 1 inch which will carry the same amount of water as a pipe with an inside diameter of 6 inches is: (A) 6r (B)6 (C)12 (D) 36 (E) 36% 34. When the circumference of a toy balloon is increased from 20 inches to 25 inches, the radius is increased by: (A) 5in. (B)2hin. (C)5/win. (D) 5/2xin. (E) x/5in. 35. In AABC, AC = 24", BC = 10", and AB = 26”. The radius of the inscribed circle is: (A) 26 in. (B)4in. (C)13in. (D) 8in. (BE) none of thesePROBLEMS: 1950 EXAMINATION 9 Part3 36. A merchant buys goods at 25% off the list price. He desires to mark the goods so that he can give a discount of 20% on the marked price and still clear a profit of 25% on the selling price. What per cent of the list price must he mark the goods? (A) 125% (B) 100% (C) 120% (D) 80% (E) 75% 87. If y = logs, and a > 1, which of the following statements is incorrect? (Aifz=1,y=0 (B)if z=, y=1 (C) if x = ~1, y is imaginary (complex) (D) if 0 <2 <1, y is always less than 0 and decreases without limit as x approaches zero (E) only some of the above statements are correct 38, If the expression a : has the value ab — cd forall valuesof a, b,c and 4, then the equation |= 1| =3: (A) is satisfied for only 1 value of 2 (B) is satisfied for 2 values of = (C) is satisfied for no values of x (D) is satisfied for an infinite number of values of = (E) none of these 39. Giventheseries 2+1+4+4+-:- andthefollowing fivestatements: (1) the sum increases without limit. (2) the sum decreases without limit. (3) the difference between any term of the sequence and zero can be made less than any positive quantity no matter how small. (4) the difference between the sum and 4 can be made less than any posi- tive quantity no matter how small. (6) the sum approaches a limit. Of these statements, the correct ones are: (A) only (3) and (4) (B) only (5) (C) only (2) and (4) (D) only (2), (8) and (4) (E) only (4) and (5) 40. The limit of == z-l (A)0 (B) indeterminate (C)z—1 (D)2 (H)1 41. The least value of the function ax? + bz + ¢ (a > 0) is: ca) 2 (wy 2 (st — doo CD) 2 E™ () none of those as z approaches 1 as a limit is: 42, The equation 2*° = 2 is satisfied when 2 is equal to: (A) infinity (B)2 (C) Y2 (D) V2 (B) none of these10 43. 47. 49. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK cnpnity op ta 24142 ae The sum to infinity of +243 + A+++ is: 1 1 5 1 (A)3 (B) gg (C)gy (D) 7G (B) none of these ‘The graph of y = log z (A) cuts the y-axis (B) cuts all lines perpendicular to the z-axis (C) cuts the z-axis (D) cuts neither axis (E) cuts all circles whose center is at the origin . The number of diagonals that can be drawn in a polygon of 100 sides is: (A) 4850 (B) 4950 (C) 9900 (D) 98 (E) 8800 . In triangle ABC, AB = 12, AC = 7, and BC = 10. Ifsides AB and AC are doubled while BC remains the same, then: (A) the area is doubled (B) the altitude is doubled (C) the area is four times the original area, (D) the median is unchanged (E) the area of the triangle is 0 A rectangle inscribed in a triangle has its base coinciding with the base b of the triangle. If the altitude of the triangle is h, and the altitude = of the rectangle is half the base of the rectangle, then: oh th i Wen Be-P Os-g%4 5 (2-4/8 (E)z = $d A point is selected at random inside an equilateral triangle. From this point perpendiculars are dropped to each side. The sum of these perpen- diculars is: (A) least when the point is the center of gravity of the triangle (B) greater than the altitude of the triangle (C) equal to the altitude of the triangle (D) one-half the sum of the sides of the triangle (E) greatest when the point is the center of gravity A triangle has a fixed base AB that is 2 inches long. The median from A to side BC is 1} inches long and can have any position emanating from A. The locus of the vertex C of the triangle is: (A) a straight line AB, 1} in. from A (B) acircle with A as center and radius 2 in. (C) acircle with A as center and radius 3 in. (D) a circle with radius 3 in, and center 4 in. from B along BA (E) an ellipse with A as a focus A privateer discovers a merchantman 10 miles to leeward at 11:45 a.m. and with a good breeze bears down upon her at 11 mph, while the mer- chantman can only make 8 mph in her attempt to escape. After a two hour chase, the top sail of the privateer is carried away; she can now make only 17 miles while the merchantman makes 15. The privateer will overtake the merchantman at:PROBLEMS: 1951 EXAMINATION ih (A) 3:45 p.m. (B) 3:30pm. (C) 5:00 pm. (D) 2:45 p.m. (E) 5:30 p.m. 1951 Examination Part 1 . The per cent that M is greater than N, is: (a) Jooty — N) (B) tom — N) (c) 4X (p) MeN (fz) 100(M + N) » - N A rectangular field is half as wide as it is long and is completely enclosed by = yards of fencing. The area in terms of = is: x a 2a z a) = AS Ba © Me Hs If the length of a diagonal of a square is a +b, then the area of the square is: (A) (a + b)* (B) a+b (C)a+h (D) Kae+h) (©) none of these A barn with a flat roof is rectangular in shape, 10 yd. wide, 13 yd. long and 5 yd. high. It is to be painted inside and outside, and on the ceiling, but not: on the roof or floor. The total number of sq. yd. to be painted is: (A) 360 (B) 460 (C) 490 (D) 590 (E) 720 }. Mr. A owns a home worth $10,000. He sells it to Mr. B at a 10% profit based on the worth of the house. Mr. B sells the house back to Mr. A at a 10% loss. Then: (A) A comes out even (B) A makes $1100 on the deal (C) A makes $1000 on the deal (1D) A loses $900 on the deal (E) A loses $1000 on the deal ‘The bottom, side, and front areas of a rectangular box are known. The product of these areas is equal to: (A) the volume of the box (B) the square root of the volume (C) twice the volume (D) the square of the volume (E) the cube of the volume An error of .02” is made in the measurement of a line 10” long, while an error of only .2” is made in a measurement of a line 100” long. In com- parison with the relative error of the first measurement, the relative error of the second measurement is: (A) greater by .18 (B) the same (C) less. (D) 10 times as great (E) correctly described by both (A) and (D)12 2 10. uu. 15. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK The price of an article is cut 10%. To restore it to its former value, the new price must be increased by: (A) 10% (B)9% (C)11$% (D) 11% — (E) none of these answers ). An equilateral triangle is drawn with a side of length a. A new equi- lateral triangle is formed by joining the mid-points of the sides of the first one. Then a third equilateral triangle is formed by joining the mid- points of the sides of the second; and so on forever. The limit of the sum of the perimeters of all the triangles thus drawn is: (A) Infinite (B) Sta (C) 2a (D) 6a (E) 4ha Of the following statements, the one that is incorrect is: (A) Doubling the base of a given rectangle doubles the area, (B) Doubling the altitude of a triangle doubles the area. (C) Doubling the radius of a given circle doubles the area. (D) Doubling the divisor of a fraction and dividing its numerator by 2 changes the quotient. (E) Doubling a given quantity may make it less than it originally was. The limit of the sum of an infinite number of terms in a geometric pro- gression is a/(1 — r) where a denotes the first term and —1 0, y > 0, x > y and z # 0. The inequality which is not always correct is: Ajctz>y+z2 (B)z-z>y-z (C)u>y z wy) 5>4 ( 22> yt 22, The values of _a in the equation: logio(a? — 15a) = 2 are: (a) B= V2B (B)09,-5 (C) BE VIE (D) 200 (E) none of these 23, The radius of a cylindrical box is 8 inches and the height is 3 inches. ‘The number of inches that may be added to either the radius or the height to give the same non-zero increase in volume is: (A) 1 (B) 5} (©) any number (D) non-existent (KE) none of these4 24, 27. 31. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK arte — 2(2") gary when simplified is: we _o _9 7 7 (aye —— (B)-2" (C)1 = 2” (DD) (EDF ‘The apothem of a square having its area numerically equal to its perimeter is compared with the apothem of an equilateral triangle having its area numerically equal to its perimeter. The first apothem will be: 2 (A) equal to the second (B) $ timesthe second (C) yjtimesthe second (D) a times the second (E) indeterminately related to the second Vi In the equation 22 — 1) = (m + 1) (@ — 1)(m —- 1) (A)m=1 (B)m=} (C)m=0 (D)m= = : the roots are equal when 1 (E)m=—5 Through a point inside a triangle, three lines are drawn from the vertices to the opposite sides forming six triangular sections. Then: (A) the triangles are similar in opposite pairs (B) the triangles are congruent in opposite pairs (C) the triangles are equal in area in opposite pairs (D) three similar quadrilaterals are formed (E) none of the above relations is true The pressure (P) of wind on a sail varies jointly as the area (A) of the sail and the square of the velocity (V) of the wind. The pressure on a square foot is 1 pound when the velocity is 16 miles per hour. The velocity of the wind when the pressure on a square yard is 36 pounds is: (A) 10% mph (B) 96mph (C) 32mph (D) 1$mph (E) 16 mph Of the following sets of data the only one that does not determine the shape of a triangle is: (A) the ratio of two sides and the included angle (B) the ratios of the three altitudes (C) the ratios of the three medians (D) the ratio of the altitude to the corresponding base (E) two angles If two poles 20” and 80” high are 100” apart, then the height of the intersection of the lines joining the top of each pole to the foot of the opposite pole is: (A) 50" (B) 40” (C) 16” (D) 60” (E) none of these A total of 28 handshakes was exchanged at the conclusion of a party. Assuming that each participant was equally polite toward all the others, the number of people present was: (A) 14 (B) 28 (©) 56 (D) 8 (E)7PROBLEMS: 1951 EXAMINATION 15 32, If AABC is inscribed in a semicircle whose diameter is AB, then AC + BC must be: (A) equal to AB (B) equal to AB2 (C) > AB2 (D) < ABV2 (E) AB’ (a >b is read “a is equal to or greater than b.”) 33. The roots of the equation 2* — 2z = 0 can be obtained graphically by finding the abscissas of the points of intersection of each of the following pairs of equations except the pair: (A) y=2, y= 22 (B) B-2, y=0 (C)y=%y=2z-2 (D) y=2-24+1 y=] ()y=2t-l,y=%-l 94. The value of 10'"*” is: (A) 7 (B) 1 (C) 10 (D) logo? (E) logs 35. If at = ct = and cv = at =d, then: Z (ave @)F=7 (ety=ate Dey (E) av = @ Part 3 36. Which of the following methods of proving a geometric figure a locus is not correct? (A) Every point on the locus satisfies the conditions and every point not on the locus does not satisfy the conditions. (B) Every point not satisfying the conditions is not on the locus and every point on the locus does satisfy the conditions. (©) Every point satisfying the conditions is on the locus and every point on the locus satisfies the conditions. (D) Every point not on the locus does not satisfy the conditions and every point not satisfying the conditions is not on the locus. (E) Every point satisfying the conditions is on the locus and every point not satisfying the conditions is not on the locus. 37. A number which when divided by 10 leaves a remainder of 9, when divided by 9 leaves a remainder of 8, by 8 leaves a remainder of 7, etc., down to where, when divided by 2, it leaves a remainder of 1, is: (A) 59 (B) 419 (C) 1359 (D) 2519 (E) none of these answers 38. A rise of 600 feet is required to get a railroad line over a mountain. The grade can be kept down by lengthening the track and curving it around the mountain peak. The additional length of track required to reduce the grade from 3% to 2% is approximately: (A) 10,000 ft. (B) 20,000 ft. (C) 30,000 ft. (D) 12,000 ft. (E) none of these16 39. 41. 42. 44. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK A stone is dropped into a well and the report of the stone striking the bottom is heard 7.7 seconds after it is dropped. Assume that the stone falls 16? feet in ¢ seconds and that the velocity of sound is 1,120 feet per second. The depth of the well is: (A) 784 ft. (B) 342 ft. (C) 1568 ft. (D) 156.8 ft. (E) none of these (@+%@-2t+0) ((@-'@ +241) @+p —_@-i | (A) + (B) G+ (C1 (D) [lt + le — YP (E) (@ — 1) ‘The formula expressing the relationship between 2 and y in the table is: 4 5 6 6 12 20 Ay=%&-4 (Byy=2-3r+2 C)y =o ~ 3x + 2x W)y=e2-42 (E)y= 2-4 wee Vit Vi4Vigvit >, then: (A)x=1 B)O 2 but finite Of the following statements, the only one that is incorrect is: (A) An inequality will remain true after each side is increased, decreased, multiplied or divided (zero excluded) by the same positive quantity. (B) The arithmetic mean of two unequal positive quantities is greater than their geometric mean. (C) If the sum of two positive quantities is given, their product is largest when they are equal. (D) If a and b are positive and unequal, (a + 8) is greater than Bia + bP (E) If the product of two positive quantities is given, their sum is greatest when they are equal. 2 It arent eit? and yin c, where a, b, and ¢ are other than zero, then x equals: abe 2abe 2abe Natathe @agtera © ab yacmte 2abe 2abe Daren a MO atiema . If you are given log8 = .9031 and log9 = .9542, then the only loga- rithm that cannot be found without the use of tables is: (A) log 17 (B) log (5/4) (C) log 15 (D) log 600 (E) log 4PROBLEMS: 1952 EXAMINATION Ww 46. AB isa fixed diameter of a circle whose center is 0. From C, any point on the circle, a chord CD is drawn perpendicular to AB. Then, as C moves over a semicircle, the bisector of angle OCD cuts the circle in a point that always: (A) bisects the are AB (B) trisects the are AB (C) varies (D) is as far from AB asfrom D (E) is equidistantfrom B and C 47. If r and ¢ are the roots of the equation az* + bz + ¢ = 0, the value 11 of pt 2 v= 4ac B= 4ac o = 2ac (A) B — 4ac (B) (Cc) (D) (E) none of these 48. The area of a square inscribed in a semicircle is to the area of the square inscribed in the entire circle as: (A) 1:2 (B) 2:3 (C) 2:5 (D) 3:4 (E) 3:5 49. The medians of a right triangle which are drawn from the vertices of the acute angles are 5 and 1/40. The value of the hypotenuse is: (A) 10 (B) 240 (C) VIB_ (D) 2V/13_—_(E) none of these 50. Tom, Dick and Harry started out on a 100-mile journey. Tom and Harry went by automobile at the rate of 25 mph, while Dick walked at the rate of 5 mph. After a certain distance, Harry got off and walked on at 5 mph, while Tom went back for Dick and got him to the destination at the same time that Harry arrived. The number of hours required for the trip was: (A)5 (B)6 (C)7 (D)8_(E) none of these answers 1952 Examination Part 1 . If the radius of a circle is a rational number, its area is given by a number which is: (A) rational (B) irrational (C) integral (DD) a perfect square &) none of these 2. Two high school classes took the same test. One class of 20 students made an average grade of 80% ; the other class of 30 students made an average grade of 70% . The average grade for all students in both classes is: (A) 75% (B)74% (C) 72% (D)77% (E) none of these18 e x 10. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK . The expression at — a~* equals: cay( (e414) «my (4~0)(# 143) (= )(e-2+3) MG-)Gr +) (E) none of these The cost C of sending a parcel post package weighing P pounds, P an integer, is 10 cents for the first pound and 8 cents for each additional pound. The formula for the cost is: (AVC =10+3P (B)C=10P+3 (C)C =10+3(P —1) ()C=94+3P ()C=10P-7 . The points (6, 12) and (0, —6) are connected by a straight line. Another point on this line is: (A) (3,3) (B) (2,1) (©) (7, 16) (D) (-1, 4) (E) (-3, —8) . The difference of the roots of x? — 7z — 9 = 0 is: (A) +7) (BY +4 (C)4+9 (D285 (E) 85 . When simplified, (x + y~)-? is equal to: ty a zty (Azty Baty (C) ay OF (EB) wy . Two equal circles in the same plane cannot have the following number of common tangents: (A)1 (B)2 (C)3 (D)4 (E) none of these If m= 2, then & equals: m(a — b) cab — ma 1 ma cay MSY (aye (1 (wD) (gE) mee ma An automobile went up a hill at a speed of 10 miles an hour and down the same distance at a speed of 20 miles an hour. The average speed for the round trip was: (A) 124 mph (B) 13} mph (C) 144 mph_(D) 15 mph (E) none of these z+2 Tf y=f@ = po? then it is incorrect to say: @ye= ttt Hs =-2 Cs) =0 Ms-2=0 () fy) = 214, 18. PROBLEMS: 1952 EXAMINATION 19 . The sum to infinity of the terms of an infinite geometric progression is 6. The sum of the first two terms is 44. The first term of the progression is: (A) 3or1} (B)1 (C)24 (D)6 (EB) 9or3 . The function 2? + pe + with p and q greater than zero has its minimum value when: (A)z=-p (B)z=8 (C)z=-2p (D)z= zg (E)2= =P A house and store were sold for $12,000 each. The house was sold at a loss of 20% of the cost, and the store at a gain of 20% of the cost. The entire transaction resulted in: (A) no loss or gain (B) loss of $1000 _(C) gain of $1000 (D) gain of $2000 (E) none of these The sides of a triangle are in the ratio 6:8:9. Then: (A) the triangle is obtuse (B) the angles are in the ratio 6:8:9 (C) the triangle is acute (D) the angle opposite the largest side is double the angle opposite the smallest side (E) none of these Part 2 . If the base of a rectangle is increased by 10% and the area is unchanged, then the altitude is decreased by: (A)9% (B)10% (C)U% (D) 11% (LE) 9% . A merchant bought some goods at discount of 20% of the list. price. He wants to mark them at such a price that he can give a discount of 20% of the marked price and still make a profit of 20% of the selling price. The per vent of the list price at which he should mark them is: (A) 20 (B) 100 (©) 125 (D) 80 (E) 120 Log p + log g = log (p + 9) ony it (A) p=q= zero (B) p= (C)p=q=1 (D) pe Angle B of triangle ABC is trisected by BD and BE which meet AC at D and E respectively. Then: AB a) BE py DL @B-B EC DC BC 7 BC” BC BE (py 4D — (ABMBD) (gy AD _ (AE)(BD) EC (BE) (BC) EC (DC)(BE)21. 22. 23. 24. 26. 2 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK If 2/y = 3/4, then the incorrect expression in the following is: (ay tt¥-7 (4 -* (tty y 4 I 3 we Ox The sides of a regular polygon of n sides, n > 4, are extended to form a star. The number of degrees at each point of the star is: (a) se (py @ = 4180 (c) (= 2)180 90 180 (D) 180-2 (B) = On hypotenuse AB of a right triangle ABC a second right triangle ABD is constructed with hypotenuse AB. If BC = 1, AC = b, and AD = 2, then BD equals: (A) VP+1 (B)VR—3 (C)VRFI+2 (D) +5 (E) Vee TB e@—br_ m-1 Wgate mei Powite signs, the value of m must be: —b a+ 4 1 oes (B) ¢ (ye (D> (E)1 In the figure, it is given that angle C = 90°, AD = DB, DE 1 AB, c AB = 20, and AC = 12. The E area of quadrilateral ADEC is: (A) 75 (B) 58} (©) 48 (D) 373 A D B (E) none of these has roots which are numerically equal but of op- . A powderman set a fuse for a blast to take place in 30 seconds. He ran away at a rate of 8 yards per second. Sound travels at the rate of 1080 feet per second. When the powderman heard the blast, he had run ap- proximately: (A) 200 yd. (B) 352 yd. (C) 300d. (D) 245 yd. (E) 512 yd. 1 It r+!) = 3, then + 4 equals (A)1 (B)2 (C)O (D3 (E)6 . The ratio of the perimeter of an equilateral triangle having an sltitude equal to the radius of a circle, to the perimeter of an equilateral triangle inscribed in the circle is: (A) 1:2 (B) 1:3) (C) 1:3 (D) V3:2 (EB) 2:33i. 32. 34, PROBLEMS: 1952 EXAMINATION 2 In the table shown, the formula relating x and y is: 3] 4] 5 13 | 21 | 31 (A)y=4¢-1 (B)y=2-xe4+2r4+2 (C)y=e+rt1 (D) y = (@@?@ +2+ 1-1) (E) none of these . In a circle of radius 5 units, CD and AB are perpendicular diameters. Acchord CH cutting AB at K is 8 units long, The diameter AB is divided into two segments whose dimensions are: (A) 1.25, 8.75 (B) 2.75,7.25 (C) 2,8 (D)4,6 (E) none of these When the sum of the first ten terms of an arithmetic progression is four times the sum of the first five terms, the ratio of the first term to the common difference is: (AL:2 (B)21 (Cla (4:1 aa Given 12 points in a plane no three of which are collinear, the number of lines they determine is: (A) 24 (B) 54 (C) 120 (D) 66 (E) none of these K takes 30 minutes less time than M to travel a distance of 30 miles. K travels mile per hour faster than M. If x is K’s rate of speed in miles per hour, then K’s time for the distance is: + (1/3) z— (1/3) 30 30 x wee ws Oni OF Oy A circle and a square have the same perimeter. Then: (A) their areas are equal (B) the area of the circle is the greater (C) the area of the square is the greater (D) the area of the circle is times the area of the square (E) none of these The price of an article was increased p%. Later the new price was de- creased p%. If the last price was one dollar, the original price was: : 1 vi-# _ P (a) eB) EGE (0) onedollar (D) 1 ~ GOGH FE 10,000 © 9000 — With a rational denominator, the expression van is equivalent to: (ay S464 VIB (By V6 2+ vis (c) 2+ Vo 4 VIO (By 2£YE— VIO) none of these36. 37. 38. 39. 41. 42, THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Part 3 e+ 2-1 (4) -2 (Be (C3 W)= (BH -3 To be continuous at = —1, the value of is taken to be: ‘Two equal parallel chords are drawn 8 inches apart in a circle of radius 8 inches. The area of that part of the circle that lies between the chords is: (A) 2be — 324/38 (B) 32/3 + 2bx — (C) 3824/3 + 424e (D) 16-3 + 424% (B) 424r ‘The area of » trapezoidal field is 1400 square yards. Its altitude is 50 yards. Find the two bases, if the number of yards in each base is an in- teger divisible by 8. The number of solutions to this problem is: (A) none (B) one (C) two (D) three (E) more than three If the perimeter of a rectangle is p and its diagonal is d, the difference between the length and width of the rectangle is: vee — # Vsti te ver =p we (By ¥84, © 3 () verte () were In order to draw a graph of f(2) = azt-+ br + ¢, a table of values was constructed. These values of the function for a set of equally spaced increasing values of 2 were 3844, 3969, 4096, 4227, 4356, 4489, 4624, and 4761. The one which is incorrect is: (A) 4096 (B) 4356 (C) 4489 (D) 4761 (E) none of these Increasing the radius of a cylinder by 6 units increases the volume by y cubic units. Increasing the altitude of the cylinder by 6 units also increases the volume by y cubic units. If the original altitude is 2, then the original radius is: (A)2 (B)4 (C)6 (D)Gr (E)8 Let D represent a repeating decimal. If P denotes the r figures of D which do not repeat themselves, and @Q denotes the s figures which do repeat themselves, then the incorrect expression is: (A) D = .PQQQ--- (B) 10°D = P.QQ@Q-:- (C) 10D = PQ.QQQ ++. (D) 10°(10" — 1)D = Q(P — 1) (E) 10°-10"D = PQQ.QQQ --- . The diameter of a circle is divided into n equal parts. On each part a semicircle is constructed. As n becomes very large, the sum of the lengths of the arcs of the semi-circles approaches a length: (A) equal to the semi-circumference of the original circle (B) equal to the diameter of the original circle (C) greater than the diameter but less than the semi-circumference of the original circle46. 47. 49. PROBLEMS: 1952 EXAMINATION 23 (D) that is infinite (E) greater than the semi-circumference but finite If an integer of two digits is k times the sum of its digits, the number formed by interchanging the digits is the sum of the digits multiplied by: (A) Q@-*% (@)G0-) ©Q-h Ok-1) Hk+) If @ and 6 are two unequal positive numbers, then: 2ab a+b 2ab Latb A) > Vab> > (B) Vab > > z Qab Latd a+b. 2ab © z > Vab ) - > > Vb a+b 2ab (©) “y~> Vab > OF The base of a new rectangle equals the sum of the diagonal and the greater side of a given rectangle, while the altitude of the new rectangle equals the difference of the diagonal and the greater side of the given rectangle. The area of the new rectangle is: (A) greater than the area of the given rectangle (B) equal to the area of the given rectangle (C) equal to the area of a square with its side equal to the smaller side of the given rectangle (D) equal to the area of a square with its side equal to the greater side of the given rectangle (E) equal to the area of a rectangle whose dimensions are the diagonal and shorter side of the given rectangle In the set of equations 2” = y*, 2" = 2-47, x+y +2 = 16, the integral roots in the order 2, y, 2 ar (A) 3,4,9 (B)9, -5,12 (©) 12,-8,9 (D)4,3,9 (BE) 4,9,3 . Two cyclists, k miles apart, and starting at the same time, would be together in r hours if they traveled in the same direction, but would pass each other in ¢ hours if they traveled in opposite directions. The ratio of the speed of the faster cyclist to that of the slower is: mitt wt, @tt! wt qttt r-t In the figure, CD, AE and BF are one-third of their respective sides. It follows that AN: NWN ND = 3:3:1, and similarly for lines BE and CF. Then the area of triangle NiN2N; is: (A) Ys A ABC (B) $ A ABC (C) +4 ABC (D) $A ABC (E) none of these t-—kPay THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 50. A line initially 1 inch long grows according to the following law, where the first term is the initial length. 1 1 1 1,1 1 l4gvitgtgVitpgtavetat If the growth process continues forever, the limit of the length of the line is: Ae Bt ©# (I+ V2 ©) 4+ V2 1953 Examination Part 1 . A boy buys oranges at 3 for 10 cents. He will sell them at 5 for 20 cents. In order to make a profit of $1.00, he must sell: (A) 67 oranges (B) 150 oranges (C) 200 oranges (D) an infinite number of oranges (E) none of these Nv A refrigerator is offered for sale at $250.00 less successive discounts of 20% and 15%. The sale price of the refrigerator is: (A) 35 % less than $250.00 (B) 65% of $250.00 (C) 77% of $250.00 (1D) 68% of $250.00 (E) none of these ‘The factors of the expression 22 + y? are: A@+tVe-y) Baty O@ + 7)e+y% (D) @ + ty)@ — ty) (E) none of these The roots of x(2 + 8 + 16)(4 — 2) = 0 are: (AO (B)0,4 (C)0,4,-4 (D)0,4, -4, -4 (E) none of these co » 5. If loge = 2.5, the value of 2 is: (A) 90 (B) 36 (C)36V6 =D) 0.5 (E) none of these Charles has 5 + 1 quarters and Richard has q + 5 quarters. The difference in their money in dimes is: (A) 10@-1) (B)H4g-4) CR@-1) DM ¥G-) (E) none of these Vet e— (et -o)/Vepe = 7. The fraction ohF reduces to: 2a? 2x? 2a" 2a* 0 OSs Oggp Ogpa Ores15. PROBLEMS: 1953 EXAMINATION 25 ‘The value of + at the intersection of y = 8/(x*+ 4) and x+y = 2 is: (A) -2+ 75 (B)-2-+V75 (C)O (D)2 (E) none of these The number of ounces of water needed to reduce 9 ounces of shaving lotion containing 50% alcohol to a lotion containing 30% alcohol is: (A)3 (B)4 (C5 (D6 (7 ). The number of revolutions of a wheel, with fixed center and with an outside diameter of 6 feet, required to cause a point on the rim to go one mile is: 440 (a) 880 B) 22 (Dy 440e (E) none of these . A running track is the ring formed by two concentric circles. It is 10 feet wide. The circumferences of the two circles differ by about: (A) 10 feet (B) 30 feet (C) 60 feet (D) 100 feet (E) none of these . The diameters of two circles are 8 inches and 12 inches respectively. The ratio of the area of the smaller to the area of the larger circle is: 2 4 9 1 (A)3 (B)g (C)z (D)5 (E) none of these . A triangle and a trapezoid are equal in area. They also have the same altitude. If the base of the triangle is 18 inches, the median of the trapezoid is: (A) 36 inches _(B) 9 inches (C) 18 inches (D) not obtainable from these data (E) none of these . Given the larger of two circles with center P and radius p and the smaller with center Q and radius ¢. Draw PQ. Which of the follow- ing statements is false? (A) p —@ can be equal to PQ (B) p+ q can be equal to PQ (©) p+4¢ can be less than PQ (D) p — @ can be less than PQ (E) none of these A circular piece of metal of maximur size is cut out of a square piece and then a square piece of maximum size is cut out of the circular piece. The total amount of metal wasted is: (A) } the area of the original square (B) } the area of the original square (C) } the area of the circular piece (D) } the area of the circular piece (E) none of these16. 17. 18. 19. 21. 24. 25. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Part 2 Adams plans a profit of 10% on the selling price of an article and his expenses are 15% of sales. The rate of mark-up on an article that sells for $5.00 is: (A) 20% (B) 25% (C) 30% (D) 33$% (B) 35% A man has part of $4500 invested at 4% and the rest at 6%. If his annual return on each investment is the same, the average rate of interest which he realizes on the $4500 is: (A) 5% (B) 4.8% (C) 5.2% (D) 4.6% (E) none of these One of the factors of xt + 4 is: (Aya+2 (B)z+1 (C)e-22+2 (D) 2-4 (E) none of these In the expression zy?, the values of z and y are each decreased 25%; the value of the expression is: (A) decreased 50% (B) decreased 75% (©) decreased 37/64 of its value (DD) decreased 27/64 of its value (E) none of these It y=zth, then +2 aot +241 =0 becomes: A ry+y-—2=0 (Bey +y-3) =0 Oxv¥+y-4=0 D)e¥+y-6 =0 (B) none of these Tf logw (2? — 3z + 6) = 1, the value of 2 is: (A) 100r2 (B) 40-2" (C)30r—1 (D) 4or-1 (B) none of these ‘The logarithm of 27 ~/9 ¥/9 to the base 3 is: (A) 8} (B) 44 (C)5-—(D) 3-H) none of these 6 . The equation »/z + 10 — ————— = 5 has vz +10 (A) an extraneous root between —5 and'—1 (B) an extraneous root between —10 and —6 (C) a true root between 20 and 25 (1D) two true roots (E) two extraneous roots If a, b and c are positive integers less than 10, then (10a + 8)(10a + ¢) equals 100a(a + 1) + be if: (Ajb+c=10 (B)b=c (C)atb=10 (D)a=d @)atb+e=10 In a geometric progression whose terms are positive, any term is equal to the sum of the next two following terms. Then the common ratio is:26. 27. 30. 31. PROBLEMS: 1953 EXAMINATION a v5 Vv5-1 1- v5 2 (A)1 (B) about (0) (D)-*() Vi ‘The base of a triangle is 15 inches. Two lines are drawn parallel to the base, terminating in the other two sides, and dividing the triangle into three equal areas. The length of the parallel closer to the base is: (A) 5/6 inches (B) 10 inches (C) 44/3 inches (D) 7.5 inches (E) none of these The radius of the first circle is 1 inch, that of the second } inch, that of the third } inch and so on indefinitely. The sum of the areas of the circles is: (a) 3 (B)13e (C)2x (DAE (EE) none of these Tn triangle ABC, sides a, b and ¢ are opposite angles A, B and C respectively. AD bisects angle A and meets BC at D. Then if az =CD and y = BD the correct proportion is: (A) z/a = a/(b+¢) (B) 2/b=a/(a+e) (C) y/e = c/(b + 0) (D) y/e = a/(b +0) (E) 2/y =c/b The number of significant digits in the measurement of the side of a square whose computed area is 1.1025 square inches to the nearest ten- thousandth of a square inch is: ()2 (B)3 ©4 (DS (1 A house worth $9000 is sold by Mr. A to Mr. B at a 10% loss. Mr. B sells the house back to Mr. A at 210% gain. The result of the two trans- actions is: (A) Mr. A breaks even (B) Mr. B gains $900 (C) Mr. A loses $900 (D) Mr. A loses $810 (E) Mr. B gains $1710 The rails on a railroad are 30 feet long. As the train passes over the point where the rails are joined, there is an audible click. The speed of the train in miles per hour is approximately the number of clicks heard in: (A) 20 seconds (B) 2 minutes (C) 14 minutes (D) 5 minutes (E) none of these . Each angle of a rectangle is trisected. The intersections of the pairs of trisectors adjacent to the same side always form: (A) a square (B) arectangle (C) a parallelogram with unequal sides (D) rhombus (E) a quadrilateral with no special properties . The perimeter of an isosceles right triangle is 2p. Its area is: (A) 2+ -V2)p (B)2-V2)p_ (0) (3 — 2V De (D) 1 = 2V/2)p* (EB) B+ 2V2) pr35. 36. 38. 39. 41. 42. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK . If one side of a triangle is 12 inches and the opposite angle is 30 degrees, then the diameter of the circumscribed circle is: (A) 18 inches (B) 30 inches (C) 24 inches. (1D) 20 inches (E) none of these If fe) = 2S then f(x + 2) equals: (A) fla) +f) (B) (2+ 2)f@) (C)ale + 24) (D) Z2) z+2 (mG t2e+D Part 3 Determine m so that 4x — Gr + m is divisible by x — 3. The ob- tained value, m, is an exact divisor of: (A) 12 (B) 20 (C)36 (D) 48 (E) 64 . The base of an isosceles triangle is 6 inches and one of the equal sides is 12 inches. The radius of the circle through the vertices of the triangle is: (A) vis (B)4V3 (C) 35 (D) 6/3 (E) none of these If f(a) =a —2 and Fla,b) =o +a, then FI3, f(4)] is: Aa@-4a+7 B28 (7 M8 Hu The product, logs b-log, a is equal to: (A)1 (B)a (©)b (D) ab (B) none of these ). The negation of the statement “all men are honest,” is: (A) no men are honest (B) all men are dishonest, (C) some men are dishonest (D) no men are dishonest (E) some men are honest A girls’ camp is located 300 rods from a straight road. On this road, a boys’ camp is located 500 rods from the girls’ camp. It is desired to build canteen on the road which shalll be exactly the same distance from each camp. The distance of the canteen from each of the camps is: (A) 400 rods. (B) 250 rods (C) 87.5 rods (D) 200 rods (E) none of these The centers of two circles are 41 inches apart. The smaller circle has a radius of 4 inches and the larger one has a radius of 5 inches. The length of the common internal tangent is: (A) 41 inches (B) 39 inches (C) 39.8 inches (D) 40.1 inches (E) 40 inches45. 46. 47. 49. PROBLEMS: 1953 EXAMINATION 29 If the price of an article is increased by per cent p, then the decrease in per cent of sales must not exceed d in order to yield the same income. ‘The value of d is: 1 1 P P l-p Oi @5 Of OF2 ©3 In solving a problem that reduces to a quadratic equation one student makes a mistake only in the constant term of the equation and obtains 8 and 2 for the roots. Another student makes a mistake only in the coeffi- cient of the first degree term and finds —9 and —1 for the roots. The correct equation was: (A) # - 102 +9=0 (B)2 + 10r+9=0 (C) 2 -10r+16=0 (D) 2? — 8 —9=0 (E) none of these The lengths of two line segments are @ units and b units respectively. Then the correct relation between them is: (a) St) 5 va (a) SEY < va () Gt) vas my 2S) s vib (Ey St 2 vas Instead of walking along two adjacent sides of a rectangular field, a boy took a short-cut along the diagonal of the field and saved a distance equal to 1/2 the longer side. The ratio of the shorter side of the rectangle to the longer side was: 1 2 1 3 2 5 (Bz (5 DM (Hs If x is greater than zero, then the correct relationship is: (A) log (1 +2) =2/(1 +2) (B) log (1 +2) < 2/11 +2) (C) log(1+2)>2 (D)log(1+2) ° ~ THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 1954 Examination Part 1 . The square of 5 — ~/y* — 25 is: (A) Y — 5VF= 25 (B)-y (C)y* (D) 6 — ¥)* (BE) ¥ — 10V¥# = 25 2c _ ae + 7 4 — Or —1 3 + 1 =0 can be transformed 0 . he equation z-1 by eliminating fractions to the equation z* — 5x + 4 = 0. The roots of the latter equation are 4 and 1. Then the roots of the first equation are: (A)4and1 (B) only (C) only 4 (D) neither 4 nor 1 (E) 4 and some other root . If x varies as the cube of y, and y varies as the fifth root of z, then z varies as the mth power of z, where n is: 1 5 3 (Aig (BZ (OZ (Dis (Es If the Highest Common Divisor of 6432 and 132 is diminished by 8, it will equal: (A)-6 (B)6 (C)-2 (D)3 (H)4 . A regular hexagon is inscribed in a circle of radius 10 inches. Its area is: (A) 1501/8 sq. in. (B) 150 sq. in. (C) 254/3 sq. in. (D) 600 sq. in. (EB) 3004/3 sq. in. . The value of 0)” + (i) = or (32) is: Alt @i%s (©)1 Ot Ors A housewife saved $2.50 in buying a dress on sale. If she spent $25 for the dress, she saved about: (A) 8% (B)9% (C)10% (D)11% (EB) 12% The base of a triangle is twice as long as a side of square and their areas are the same. Then the ratio of the altitude of the triangle to the side of the square is: (i @®} 1 (M2 4 A point P is outside a circle and is 13 inches from the center. A secant from P cuts the circle at Q and R so that the external segment of the secant PQ is 9 inches and QR is 7 inches. The radius of'the circle is: (A) 3” (B) 4" (C) 5” (D) 6”_— (BE) 7”10. 12. 13. l = PROBLEMS: 1954 EXAMINATION 31 The sum of the numerical coefficients in the expansion of the binomial (a + b)® is: (A) 32, (B) 16 (C) 64 (D) 48 (E)7 . A merchant placed on display some dresses, each with a marked price. He then posted a sign “4 off on these dresses.” The cost of the dresses was # of the price at which he actually sold them. Then the ratio of the cost to the marked price was: 1 1 1 2 3 (A)z (B)z (C)g (DZ (EG Qe — 3y =7 The solution of the equations $7 — GY — Jy is (51S BF 4 (©) there is no solution (D) there is an unlimited number of solutions (E) ¥ = 5 A quadrilateral is inscribed in a circle. If angles are inscribed in the four ares cut off by the sides of the quadrilateral, without intersecting the sides between vertices, their sum will be: (A) 180° (B) 540° (C) 360° (D) 450° (E) 1080° . " ‘zt |. When simplified VV 1+ Ge) equals: a+ 2c'- 1 g-l veFl a wits Bi oF oy fod Mets . Log 125 equals: (A) 100 log 1.25 (B) 5log3 (C) 3 log 25 (D) 3 — 3 log2 (E) (log 25)(log 5) Part 2 If f(x) = 52% — 2x — 1, then f(x + h) — f(z) equals: (A) 5h? — 2h = (B) 10th — 4a +2 © (C) 10zh — 22 — 2 (D) A(z + Sh 2) (E) Bh . The graph of the function f(z) = 22° — 7 goes: (A) up to the right and down to the left (B) down to the right and up to the left (C) up to the right and up to the left (D) down to the right and down to the left (E) none of these ways.32 18. 21, 23. 24. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Of the following sets, the one that includes all values of 2 which will satisfy 2c —-3 > 7 — 2x is: 10 10 10 (A)t>4 (B)azZ (E)z<0 ). If the three points of contact of a circle inscribed in a triangle are joined, the angles of the resulting triangle: (A) are always equal to 60° (B) are always one obtuse angle and two unequal acute angles (C) are always one obtuse angle and two equal acute angles (D) are always acute angles (E) are always unequal to each other The equation 2? + 62? + Iz + 6 = 0 has: (A) no negative real roots (B) no positive real roots (C) no real roots (D) 1 positive and 2 negative roots (E) 1 negative and 2 positive roots The roots of the equation 2x/z + 22°'” = 5 can be found by solving: (A) 162 — 922 +1=0 (B) 47° — 2r+4=0 (C) 42? — 172 +4=0 (D) 2? -2ir+2=0 (E) 4a? — 25 - 4 =0 . 222 — 4+a The expression GHG; =) ~ GH Ie Ta) cannot be evaluated for z = 1 or x = 2, since division by zero is not allowed. For other values of 2: (A) the expression takes on many different values (B) the expression has only the value 2 (C) the expression has only the value i (D) the expression always has a value between —1 and +2 (E) the expression has a value greater than 2 or less than —1 If the margin made on an article costing C dollars and selling for S dollars is M = 16, then the margin is given by: 1 m= tis (ay =1s (c)M=—"_8 n+l Ss 1 )M=—s8 (Mao The values of k for which the equation 2x — kx +2 +8 =0 will have real and equal roots are: (A) 9 and —7 (B) only —7 (C)9and7 (D) —9and —7 (E) only 9 The two roots of the equation a(b — c)z* + b(c — a)z + cla — b) =0 are 1 and: bc — a) a(b — ¢) a(b ~ ¢) c(a — b) (A) ao=0 (B) a=) (C) ue =a) (D) ab (Ee = be =a)26. 28. 29. 3 32. PROBLEMS: 1954 EXAMINATION 33, The straight line AB is divided at C so that AC = 3CB. Circles are described on AC and CB as diameters and a common tangent meets AB produced at D. Then BD equals: (A) the diameter of the smaller circle (B) the radius of the smaller circle (C) the radius of the larger circle (D) CBx/3 —(E) the difference of the two radii . A right circular cone has for its base a circle having the same radius as a given sphere. The volume of the cone is one-half that of the sphere. The ratio of the altitude of the cone to the radius of its base is: 1 1 2 2 5 1 wi @2 @m? w4/s m_4 9 3mr— nt =F and =H, the vatue of 3% js: n (A) -5t (B)-H ()-l @)H ()-1 If the ratio of the legs of a right triangle is 1:2, then the ratio of the corresponding segments of the hypotenuse made by a perpendicular upon it from the vertex is: (Aid B)iV2 (C)u:2 (D)iuVvs (fH) 1:5 A and B together can do a job in 2 days; B and C can do it in four days; and A and C in 23 days. The number of days required for A to do the job alone is: (A)1 (B)3 (C)6 (D)12 (BE) 28 . In triangle ABC, AB = AC, angle A = 40°. Point O is within the triangle with angle OBC = angle OCA. The number of degrees in angle BOC is: (A) 110 (B) 35 (C) 140 (D) 55 (E) 70 The factors of x* + 64 are: (A) (+8)? (B) (a+ 8)(z#— 8) (C) (a? + 2x + 4)(a* — Bx + 16) (D) (@ — 4x + 8)(at — 4x — 8) (E) (2* — 4x + 8)(2* + 4 + 8) A bank charges $6 for a loan of $120. The borrower receives $114 and repays the loan in 12 installments of $10 a month. The interest rate is approximately: (A)5% (B)6% (C)7% (D)9% (BE) 15% The fraction, 1/3: (A) equals 0.33333333 _(B) is less than 0.33333333 by ae 1 (C) is less than 0.33333333 by 3-755 . 1 (D) is greater than 0.33333333 by 3 “To i 1 (E) is greater than 0.33333333 by 3-10"a THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 35. In the right triangle shown the sum of the distances BM and MA is equal to the sum of the distances BC and CA. If MB ==, CB = h, and CA = d, then z equals: M hd x O aya 8 (B) d-h (©) 4a h (D) h+d—- V2d ®) VBFE-h c A qd Part 3 36. A boat has a speed of 15 mph in still water. In a stream that has a current of 5 mph it travels a certain distance downstream and returns. The ratio of the average speed for the round trip to the speed in still water is: 5 1 8 7 9 (AZ (B)7 (@)5 (Dg (Es 37. Given triangle PQR with RS bisecting angle R, PQ extended to D and angle n a right angle, then: (A) Xm = 449 — 49) (B) 4m = (Ap + 49) (©) 4d = Ag+ Xp) (D) 4d = 44m (E) none of these is correct 38. If log2 = 3010 and log 3 = .4771, the value of z when 3 = 135 is approximately: (A)5 (B) 147 (©) 1.67 (D) 1.78 (E) 1.63 39. The locus of the mid-point of a line segment that is drawn from a given external point P to a given circle with center O and radius r, is: (A) a straight line perpendicular to. PO (B) a straight line parallel to PO (C) acircle with center P and radius r (D) a circle with center at the midpoint of PO and radius 2r (E) a circle with center at the mid-point of PO and radius 4r.3 41. 43. 45. 46. PROBLEMS: 1954 EXAMINATION 35 It ( + iy = 3, then at + 4 equals: VE wavs oO W)7v7 (EVE The sum of all the roots of 427 — 82? — 632 — (A)8 (B)2 (C)-8 (D)-2 (E)0 = 0 is: . Consider the graphs of (1) y = 2* — 4x + 2and (2) y = 2° + 42 + 2on the same set of axes. These parabolas have exactly the same shape. Then: (A) the graphs coincide (B) the graph of (1) is lower than the graph of (2) (C) the graph of (1) is to the left of the graph of (2) (D) the graph of (1) is to the right of the graph of (2) (E) the graph of (1) is higher than the graph of (2) The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10 inches and the radius of the in- scribed circle is 1 inch. The perimeter of the triangle in inches is: (A) 15 (B)22 (CG) 24 (D) 26 (E) 30 . A man born in the first half of the nineteenth century was years old in the year 2°, He was born (A) 1849 (B) 1825 (C) 1812 (D) 1836 (E) 1806 In a rhombus ABCD line segments are drawn within the rhombus, parallel to diagonal BD, and terminated in the sides of the rhombus. A graph is drawn showing the length of a segment as a function of its dis- tance from vertex A. The graph is: (A) straight line passing through the origin (B) a straight line cutting across the upper right quadrant (C) two line segments forming an upright V (D) two line segments forming an inverted V, (A) (E) none of these In the diagram if points A, B, C are points of tangency, then + equals: 3° (A) 536 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 47. At the midpoint of line segment AB which is p units long, a perpendicu- lar MR is erected with length q units. An arc is described from R with a radius equal to 4AB, meeting AB at T. Then AT and TB are the roots of: (A) f+ prt a= (B) #-pr+¢ (C) 2+ pr-¢ (D) # - pr - ¢ (E) 2 -pr+q = 48. A train, an hour after starting, meets with an accident which detains it a half hour, after which it proceeds at # of its former rate and arrives 34 hours late. Had the accident happened 90 miles farther along the line, it would have arrived only 3 hours late. The length of the trip in miles was: (A) 400 (B) 485 (C) 600 (D) 640 (E) 550 49. The difference of the squares of two odd numbers is always divisible by 8.If a>, and 2a +1 and 2b +1 are the odd numbers, to prove the given statement we put the difference of the squares in the form: (A) (2a + 1)? — (20 + 1)? (B) 4a? — 4b* + 4a — 4b (C) 4fa(a + 1) — (6 + 1) (D) 4a — b)@ +b + 1) (E) 4(@ + a — & - d) 50. The times between 7 and 8 o'clock, correct to the nearest minute, when the hands of a clock will form an angle of 84 degrees are: (A) 7:23 and 7:53 (B) 7:20 and 7:50 (C) 7:22 and 7:53 (D) 7:28 and 7:52 (E) 7:21 and 7:49 a w 78 1955 Examination Part 1 1. Which one of the following is not equivalent to 0.000000375? (A) 3.75 x 10-7 (B) 32 X 107 (C) 375 X 10") (D) § X 107 (E) # x 10-6 2. The smaller angle between the hands of a clock at 12:25 p.m. is: (A) 132°80' (B) 137°30’. (C) 150° (D) 137°32' (E) 137° 3. If each number in a set of ten numbers is increased by 20, the arithmetic mean (average) of the original ten numbers: (A) remains the same (B) is increased by 20 (C) is increased by 200 (D) is increased by 10 (E) is increased by 2> 2 _ 2 10. Th 12. PROBLEMS: 1955 EXAMINATION 37 2 1 The equality ——> = 5 is satisfied by: (A) no real values of x (B) either x =1 or z=2 (C)only z=1 (D) only r=2 (E)only x=0 y varies inversely as the square of x. When y = 16, x = 1. When x = 8, y equals: (A) 2 (B) 128 (C) 64 (D)} (E) 1024 . A merchant buys a number of oranges at 3 for 10¢ and an equal number at 5 for 20¢. To “break even” he must sell all at: (A) 8 for 30¢ (B) 3 for 11¢ (C) 5for 18¢ (D) 11 for 40¢ (E) 13 for 50¢ If a worker receives a 20 per cent cut in wages, he may regain his original pay exactly by obtaining a raise of: (A) 20 per cent (B) 25 per cent (C) 22} per cent (D) $20 (E) $25 The graph of 2? — 4y* = 0: (A) is a hyperbola intersecting only the z-axis (B) is a hyperbola intersecting only the y-axis (©) is a hyperbola intersecting neither axis (D) is a pair of straight lines (E) does not exist A circle is inscribed in a triangle with sides 8, 15, and 17. The radius of the circle is: (A)6 (B)2 (C)5 (D3 (E)7 How many hours does it take a train traveling at an average rate of 40 mph between stops to travel a miles if it makes n stops of m minutes each? 3a + 2mn 3a + 2mn a+mn (A) 55 (B) 3a + 2mn = (C)—T5-— (D) ~Fa— + 40mn (gE) &t 40mn 40 The negation of the statement “No slow learners attend this school,” is: (A) All slow learners attend this school. (B) All slow learners do not attend this school. (C) Some slow learners attend this school. (D) Some slow learners do not attend this school. (E) No slow learners attend this school. The solution of V5r—1 + Vz—T =2 is: (A)r=2,c=1 (B)z=} (C)z=2 (Drea (E) z=0 . The fraction Sa is equal to: => (A)at—b* (Bato (Chatt+b* (Dp e+e (E) a —4. 1b. 2 22. 23. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK The length of rectangle R is 10 per cent more than the side of square S. The width of the rectangle is 10 per cent less than the side of the square. The ratio of the areas, R: S, is: (A) 99: 100 (B) 101:100 (C) 1:1 (D) 199: 200 (E) 201 : 200 The ratio of the areas of two concentric circles is 1 : 3. If the radius of the smaller is r, then the difference between the radii is best approxi- mated by: (A) O4lr (B) 0.73 (C) 0.75 (D) 0.73r (EB) 0.75r Part 2 . The value of <5 when a= 4 and b= -4 is: (4) 3 (B) 3 (©)0 (D) any finite number (B) meaningless If log z — 5 log 3 = —2, then x equals: (A) 1.25 (B) 0.81 (C) 243 (D) 0.8 (E) either 0.8 or 1.25 . The discriminant of the equation z* + 2z+/3 + 3 = 0 is zero. Hence, its roots are: (A) real and equal (B) rational and equal (C) rational and unequal (D) irrational,and unequal —(E) imaginary . Two numbers whose sum is 6 and the absolute value of whose difference is 8 are roots of the equation: (A) —62+7=0 (B)e#—6r-7=0 (C)2e+ 6r-8=0 (D)2-6r+8=0 ()e+6r-7=0 The expression »/25 — @ + 5 equals zero for: (A) no real or imaginary values of t (B) no real values of ¢, but for some imaginary values (C) no imaginary values of t, but for some real values (D)t=0 (E)t= 45 . Represent the hypotenuse of a right triangle by ¢ and the area by A. The altitude on the hypotenuse is: A 2A A A A me we (wy D> (DS On a $10,000 order a merchant has a choice between three successive discounts of 20%, 20%, and 10% and three successive discounts of 40%, 5%, and 5%. By choosing the better offer, he can save: (A) nothing at all (B) $400 (C) $380 (D) $345 (E) $360 In checking the petty cash a clerk counts q quarters, d dimes, nickels, and ¢ cents. Later he discovers that of the nickels were counted as quarters and z of the dimes were counted as cents. To cor- rect the total obtained the clerk must:25. . Each of the equations 32% — 2 PROBLEMS: 1955 EXAMINATION 39 (A) make no correction (B) subtract 11¢ (C) subtract lla¢ (D) add iz¢ = (E) add r¢ The function 4a* — 122 — 1: (A) always increases as 2 increases (B) always decreases as x decreases tol (C) cannot equal 0 (D) has a maximum value when z is negative (E) has a minimum value of —10 One of the factors of zt + 227 +9 is: A#+3 (B)z+1 (C)ee-3 (D)at—2r-3 (E) none of these ‘Mr. A owns a house worth $10,000. He sells it to Mr. B at 10% profit. Mr. B sells the house back to Mr. A at a 10% loss. Then: (A) A comes out even (B) A makes $100 (C) A makes $1,000 (D) B loses $100 (E) none of these is correct If r and ¢ are the roots of 2? — pr +q = 0, then r+ s* equals: (A) P+ 2q (B)R- 2% (C)r +a (D)r-g (Er On the same set of axes are drawn the graph of y = az? + bz +c and the graph of the equation obtained by replacing x by —z in the given equation. If b 0 and c %0 these two graphs intersect: (A) in two points, one on the z-axis and one on the y-axis (B) in one point located on neither axis (C) only at the origin (D) in one point on the z-axis (E) in one point on the y-axis In the figure PA is tangent to semicircle SAR; PB is P tangent to semicircle RBT; SRT isa straight line; the arcs are indicated in the figure. Angle APB is measured by: s (A) 4 — b) (B) $+ d) (C) (€ — a) -— d—-b) (D)a—b (E)a+b 25, (Qe — 1) = (2-1), Ve—7 = Vr=1 has: (A) two integral roots (B) no root greater than 3 (©) no root zero (D) only one root (E) one negative root and one positive root31. 32. 33. 36. 37. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK An equilateral triangle whose side is 2 is divided into a triangle and a trapezoid by a line drawn parallel to one of its sides. If the area of the trapezoid equals one-half of the area of the original triangle, the length of the median of the trapezoid is: ca ¥8 (By) v2 (C24 v3 (D242 (p 2VE= VE If the discriminant of az* + 2br + ¢ = 0 is zero, then another true statement about a, 6, and c is that: (A) they form an arithmetic progression (B) they form a geometric progression (C) they are unequal —_(D) they are all negative numbers (E) only 6 is negative and a and ¢ are positive Henry starts a trip when the hands of the clock are together between 8 am. and 9 a.m. He arrives at his destination between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. when the hands of the clock are exactly 180° apart. The trip takes: (A) 6hr. (B) 6 hr. 43 min. (C) 5 hr. 16; min. (D) 6 hr. 30 min. (E) none of these . A 6-inch and 18-inch diameter pole are placed as in the figure and bound together with wire. The length of the shortest wire that will go around them is: (A) 124/38 + 16r (B) 12/3 + 7x ‘) (©) 12/3 + 14e (D) 12+ 15x (E) 24x Three boys agree to divide a bag of marbles in the following manner. The first boy takes one more than half the marbles. The second takes a third of the number remaining. The third boy finds that he is left with twice as many marbles as the second boy. The original number of marbles: (A) is 8 or 38 (B) cannot be determined from the given data (C) is 20 or 26 (D) is 14 or 32 (E) is none of these Part 3 A cylindrical oil tank, lying horizontally, has an interior length of 10 feet and an interior diameter of 6 feet. If the rectangular surface of the oil has an area of 40 square feet, the depth of the oil is: (AVS (B)2%5 (C)3-V5 (D)34+V5 (E) either 3 — V5 or 3+ V5 A three-digit number has, from left to right, the digits A, and wu with h > u. When the number with the digits reversed is subtracted from the original number, the units’ digit in the difference is 4. The next two39. 4 42. 44. PROBLEMS: 1955 EXAMINATION 41 digits, from right to left, are: (A)5and9 (B)9and5 (C) impossible to tell (D) 5 and 4 (E) 4 and 5 Four positive integers are given. Select any three of these integers, find their arithmetic average, and add this result to the fourth integer. Thus ~ the numbers 29, 23, 21 and 17 are obtained. One of the original integers is: (A) 19 (B)21 (©) 2B. (D) 29 (EY 17 It y = 2° + pr +4q, then if the least possible value of y is zero, q is equal to: . . ao wr (CE wm-2 wi-¢ cong @e tb, b e If b xa, the fractions ST) and 7 are unequal if: (Aa=c=1andz¥0 (B)a=b=0 (a= (D)z=0 (B)ad =be . A train traveling from Aytown to Beetown meets with an accident after 1 hr. It is stopped for } hr., after which it proceeds at four-fifths of its usual rate, arriving at Beetown 2 hr. late. If the train had covered 80 miles more before the accident, it would have been just 1 hr. late. The usual rate of the train is: (A) 20 mph (B) 30 mph (C) 40 mph (D) 50mph_(E) 60 mph If a, b, and ¢ are positive integers, the radicals V' a +2 and o4/' 2 are equal when and only when: (Aja=b=ce=1 (B)a=b ande= -%e-» 1 @©e (D)a = and cisany value (E)a = and c=a—1 The pairs of values of z and y that are the common solutions of the equations y = (e+ 1)? and zy +y = 1 are: (A) 3 real pairs (B) 4 real pairs (C) 4 imaginary pairs (D) 2 real and 2 imaginary pairs (E) 1 real and 2 imaginary pairs In circle O chord AB is produced A -\8 c so that BC equals a radius of the circle. CO is drawn and extended \— to D. AO is drawn. Which of the following expresses the relationship between angles x and y? (A)z=3y (B)r = 2y D (C) z= 60 (D) there is no special relationship between x and y (E) z = 2y or z = 3y, depending upon the length of AB42 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 45. Given a geometric sequence with the first term #0 and r #0 and an arithmetic sequence with the first term =0. A third sequence 1, 1,2,+++ is formed by adding corresponding terms of the two given sequences. The sum of the first ten terms of the third sequence is: (A) 978 (B) 557 (C) 467 (D) 1068 {E) not possible to determine from the information given 46. The graphs of 22 +3y—6=0, 42 —3y—6 y = 3 intersect in: (A) 6 points (B)1 point (C)2points (D) no points (E) an unlimited number of points z= 47. The expressions a + be and (a + b)(a +c) are: (A) always equal (B) never equal (C) equal when a+ b-+¢=1 (D) equal when a+ +c =0 (E) equal only when a = 48. Given triangle ABC with medians AE, BF, CD; FH parallel and equal in length to AE; BH and HE are drawn; FE extended c H meets BH in G. Which one of the following statements is not necessarily correct? F, G (A) AEHF is a parallelogram (B) HE = HG (C) BH = DC A e (D) FG = 34B o (E) FG isa median of triangle BFH 49. The graphs of y = ea and y = 2z intersect in: (A) one point whose abscisea is 2 (B) one point whose abscissa is 0 (©) no points (D) two distinct points (E) two identical points 50. In order to pass B going 40 mph on a two-lane highway A, going 50 mph, must gain 30 feet. Meantime, C, 210 feet k — ato, —] from A, is headed + toward him at 50 mph. 50 mph 50 mph 1 Band C maintain oo their speeds, then, ———>———_|>— in order to pass safely, A 40 mph must increase his speed by: 8 1 (A) 30 mph = (B) 10 mph_| ———}-———_. (C)5mph = (D) 15 mph | (E) 3 mph ‘This figure is not drawn to scale» s 2 2 PROBLEMS: 1956 EXAMINATION 43 1956 Examination Part 1 . The value of x + 2 (x*) when z = 2 is: (A) 10 (B) 16 (C) 18 (D) 36 (E) 64 . Mr. Jones sold two pipes at $1.20 each. Based on the cost his profit on one was 20% and his loss on the other was 20%. On the sale of the pipes, he: (A) broke even (B) lost 44 (C) gained 4¢ (D) lost 10¢ (E) gained 10¢ The distance light travels in one year is approximately 5,870,000,000,000 miles. The distance light travels in 100 years is: (A) 587 X 10% miles (B) 587 X 10" miles (C) 587 X 10-” miles (D) 587 X 10" miles (E) 587 X 10 miles . A man has $10,000 to invest. He invests $4,000 at 5% and $3,500 at 4%. In order to have a yearly income of $500, he must invest the remainder at: (A) 6% (B)6.1% (C)62% (D)63% (E) 64% A nickel is placed on a table. The number of nickels which can be placed around it, each tangent to it and to two others is: A4 B5 ©6 M8 H12 In 9 group of cows and chickens, the number of legs was 14 more than twice the number of heads. The number of cows was: (A)5 (B)7 (C)10 (D)12 (E14 . The roots of the equation ax? + br +c =0 will be reciprocal if: (Aja=b (B)a=be (C)e=a (D)c=b (E)e =ab . If 8-25 = 5e*, then, when y = —8, 2 = (A)-4 (B)-3 (CO (D)4 ©8 Simplify [ = THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK If a? — 1 is divided by z — 1 the quotient is: wr @A, @f mo! @-t -1 x-1 . Given two positive integers x and y with x < y. The percent that z isless than y is: (a) = 2) (py OEY (ey Y=) (Dy ro04y - 2) (E) 100 (z — y) The points A, B, and C are ona circle O. The tangent line at A and the secant BC intersect at P, B lying between C and P. If BC = 20 and PA = 10/3, then PB equals: (A)5 (B)10 (C) 10/3 (D) 20 (E) 30 5 2 1 1; . The root's) of S25 — 2 = 1 is (ate): (A) -5and3 (B)+2 (C)2only (D) —3and5 (E) 3 only Part 2 ‘The sum of three numbers is 98. The ratio of the first to the second is 4, and the ratio of the socond to the third is $. The second number is: (A)15 (B)20. (C)30. (D) 32. (B) 33 . The fraction Tt was obtained by adding the two fractions os and iene The values of A and B must be: We, Osis” O25) MEI, ®) 5 = ma Tf 10” = 25, then 107” equals: ()-2 (B) ge (Cg 1 1 m Pgs iE . Two candles of the same height are lighted at the same time. The first is consumed in 4 hours and the second in 3 hours. Assuming that each candle burns at a constant rate, in how many hours after being lighted was the first candle twice the height of the second? (A) thr. (B) ifhr. (©) 2hbr. (D) hr. (E) 2p hr. If (0.2) = 2 and log 2 = 0.3010, then the value of x to the nearest tenth is: (A) -10.0 (B)-0.5 (C)-04 (D) -02, (E) 10.0al. 25. 27. 28. . In the figure AB = AC, PROBLEMS: 1956 EXAMINATION 45 If each of two intersecting lines intersects a hyperbola and neither line is tangent to the hyperbola, then the possible number of points of inter- section with the hyperbola is: (A)2 (B)2or3 (C)2or4 (D)3o0r4 (BE) 2,3, or4 Jones covered a distance of 50 miles on his first trip. On a later trip he traveled 300 miles while going three times as fast. His new time com- pared with the old time was: (A) three times as much (B) twice as much (C) the same (D) half as much (8) a third as much . About the equation az*~ 279/23 -+¢ = 0, with a and ¢ real constants, we are told that the discriminant is zero. The roots are necessarily: (A) equal and integral (B) equal and rational (C) equal and real (D) equal and irrational —(E) equal and imaginary angle BAD = 30°, and AE = AD. Then x equals: (A) 7° (B) 10° (c) 13° (D) 15° (E) 20° The sum of all numbers of the form 2k + 1, where k takes on integral values from 1 to n is: (A)? (B)n(n+1) (C)n(n+2) (D) (n+ 1)? {E) (n + 1) (m+ 2) Which one of the following combinations of given parts does not deter- mine the indicated triangle? (A) base angle and vertex angle; isosceles triangle (B) vertex angle and the base; isosceles triangle (C) the radius of the circumscribed circle; equilateral triangle (D) one arm and the radius of the inscribed circle; right triangle (E) two angles and a side opposite one of them; scalene triangle If an angle of a triangle remains unchanged but each of its two including sides is doubled, then the area is multiplied by: (A)2 (B)3 (C)4 (D)6 (E) more than6 Mr. J left his entire estate to his wife, his daughter, his son, and the cook. His daughter and son got half the estate, sharing in the ratio of 4 to 3, His wife got twice as much as the son. If the cook received a bequest of $500, then the entire estate was: (A) $3500 (B) $5500 (C) $6500 (D) $7000 (E) $750046 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 29. The points of intersection of xy = 12 and a*+ y? = 25 are joined in succession. The resulting figure is: (A) a straight line (B) an equilateral triangle (C) a parallelogram (D) a rectangle (E) a square 80. If the altitude of an equilateral triangle is +/6, then the area is: (A)2v2 (B)2V3 (C)3Vv3 (D)6V2 (E12 In our number system the base is ten. If the base were changed to four you would count as follows: 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 30, --- ‘The twentieth number would be: (A) 20 (B)38 (C) 44. (D) 104 (E) 0 32. George and Henry started a race from opposite ends of the pool. After a minute and a half, they passed each other in the center of the pool. If they lost no time in turning and maintained their respective speeds, how many minutes after starting did they pass each other the second time? (A)3) (B) 44 (©)6 =(D)% (EO 33. The number +/2 is equal to: (A) a rational fraction (B) a finite decimal (C) 1.41421 (D) an infinite repeating decimal (E) an infinite non-repeating decimal 3l. 34. If n is any whole number, nt (nt — 1) is always divisible by: (A) 12, (B) 24 (C) any multiple of 12 (D)12—n (E) 12 and 24 35. A rhombusis formed by two radii and two chords of acircle whose radius is 16 feet. The area of the rhombus in square feet is: (A) 128 (B) 1283 (C) 256. (D) $12 (E) 5123 Part 3 36. If the sum 1+2+3-+ ---+K isa perfect square N* and if N is less than 100, then the possible values for K are: (A) only 1 (B)1and8 (C)only8 (D)8and49 (EF) 1, 8, and 49 37. On a map whose scale is 400 miles to an inch and a half, a certain estate is represented by a rhombus having a 60° angle. The diagonal opposite 60° is x% in. The area of the estate in square miles is: 2500 1250 5625/3 A)=— (B)== (C) 1250 (D) SY" (E) 12503 ¢ A V3 (C) (D) 3 (BE) V3 38. In a right triangle with sides a and b, and hypotenuse c, the altitude drawn on the hypotenuse is z. Then: =? L,1ld 24 Be ot (Ajab=x (Bot eas (C) a? + BF = 2x’ 1 a (D) i ze39. 41. 42. 43. 46. 47. PROBLEMS: 1956 EXAMINATION 47 The hypotenuse ¢ and one arm a of a right triangle are consecutive integers. The square of the second arm is: (Ayea (BYE (Cet a (D)c—a (E) none of these If V =gt+ Vo and S = 3g? + Vol, then ¢ equals: 28 2s 2s. 28 Ore Bra, Oy OF was-v The equation 3y? + y +4 = 2(62*+y+ 2) where y = 27 is satisfied by: (A) no value of z (B) all values of (C) z = 0 only (D) all integral values of x only (B) all rational values of z only The equation /z +4 — Vx —3 +1 =0 has: (A) no root (B) one real root (C) one real root and one imaginary root (D) two imaginary roots —_(E) two real roots The number of scalene triangles having all sides of integral lengths, and perimeter less than 13 is: Al B2 ©3 M4 His |. If zar>a (Cx? az but ar <0 (E)2* >a but a& <0 ;. A wheel with a rubber tire has an outside diameter of 25 in. When the radius has been decreased quarter of an inch, the number of revolutions of the wheel in one mile will: (A) be increased about 2% (B) be increased about 1% (C) be increased about 20% (D) be increased }% (E) remain the same Lez LN tN to be true where Wis positive, For the equation z ean have: (A) any positive value less than 1 (B) any value less than 1 (© the value zero only (D) any non-negative value (E) any value ‘An engineer said he could finish a highway section in 3 days with his present supply of a certain type of machine. However, with 3 more of these machines the job could be done in 2 days. If the machines all work at the same rate, how many days would it take to do the job with one machine? (A)6 (B)12 (C)15 (D) 18 (E) 3649. # . If p is a positive integer, then THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 3p + 25 2p-5 can be a positive integer, if and only if p is: (A) at least 3. (B) atleast 3 and no more than 35 (C) nomore than 35 (D) equal to 35 (E) equal to 3 or 35 Triangle PAB is formed by three tangents to circle O and % APB=40°; then angle AOB equals: (A) 45° (B) 50° 8, Zt e (E) 70° pZo\ wi A In triangle ABC, CA = GB. On CB square BCDE is constructed away from the triangle. If x is the number of degrees in angle DAB, then (A) x depends upon triangle ABC _ (B) x is independent of the triangle (C) z may equal angle CAD (D) z can never equal angle CAB (E) z is greater than 45° but less than 90° 1957 Examination Part 1 . The number of distinct lines representing the altitudes, medians, and in- terior angle bisectors of a triangle that is isosceles, but not equilateral, is: (A)9 (B)7 (C)6 (DS (E)3 . In the equation 22 — he + 2k = 0, the sum of the roots is 4 and the product of the roots is —3. Then h and k have the values, respectively: (A) 8 and -6 (B)4and-3 (C) -3and4 (D) —3 and 8 (E) 8 and -3 The simplest form of 1 — ————— is: 1+ (Aaifax0 (B)1 Caifax-i (D) 1 — a with no restriction on a (E)a if a¥1= ° x 2 PROBLEMS: 1957 EXAMINATION 49 The first step in finding the product (3z + 2)(c — 5) by use of the distributive property in the form a(b +c) = ab + ac is: (A) 82 — 132 — 10 (B) 32(z — 5) + A(z — 5) (C) (82 + 2) + (32 + 2)(—5) (D) 32 — 17 — 10 (E) 32% + 2z — 15x — 10 Through the use of theorems on logarithms a db cy ay og 5 + log = + log 5 — log can be reduced to: ¥ Z 1 (D0 (B) log 2! (A)log? (B)log= og re An open box is constructed by starting with a rectangular sheet of metal 10 in. by 14 in. and cutting a square of side x inches from each comer. The resulting projections are folded up and the seams welded. The volume of the resulting box is: (A) 140z — 480% + 42% (B) 1402 + 480% + 42 (C) 1402 + 242 + 2? © (D) 140x — 24x + 2? (BE) none of these The area of a circle inscribed in an equilateral triangle is 48x. The perimeter of this triangle is: (A) 724/3 (B) 48\/3 (C) 36 (D) 24 (E) 72 The numbers z, y, 2 are proportional to 2, 3, 5. The sum of z, y, and 2 is 100. The number y is given by the equation y = az — 10. Then a is: 3 5 (2 (B)3 (C)3 (D)Z (EDA The value of x — y*¥ when x = 2 and y = —2 is: (A) -18 @)-14 (C14 (D)18 (BH) 256 . The graph of y = 2x? + 42 + 3 has its: (A) lowest point at (—1, 9) (B) lowest point at (1, 1) (C) lowest. point at (—1, 1) (D) highest: point at (—1, 9) (E) highest point at (~1, 1) . The angle formed by the hands of a clock at 2:15 is: (A) 30° (B) 274° (C) 1574° — (D) 172° (E) none of these . Comparing the numbers 10~ and 2-10-* we may say: (A) the first exceeds the second by 8-107 (B) the first exceeds the second by 2-107 (C) the first exceeds the second by 8-10-*° (D) the second is five times the first, (E) the first exceeds the second by 5& 16. 19. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK . A rational number between +/2 and /3 is: @) @tVe wy VV is (is (14 TE y= Ve = We $1 + Ve + 2Qr 41, then y is: (A) 2 (B)%e+1) (CO (W){e-1]+]e4+1] (E) none of these . The table below shows the distance s in feet @ ball rolls down an in- clined plane in ¢ seconds. t 0 1 2 3 8 0 10 40 90. The distance s for ¢ = 2.5 is: (A) 45 (B) 62.5 (C)70 (D)75 (E) 825 Part 2 Goldfish are sold at 15¢ each. The rectangular coordinate graph showing the cost of 1 to 12 goldfish is: (A) a straight line segment (B) a set of horizontal parallel line segments (C) a set of vertical parallel line segments (D) a finite set of distinct points (E) a straight line . A cube is made by soldering twelve 3-inch lengths of wire properly at the vertices of the cube. If a fly alights at one of the vertices and then walks along the edges, the greatest distance it could travel before coming to any vertex a second time, without retracing any distance, is: (A) 24in. (B) 12 in. (C) 30in. (D) 18 in. (E) 36 in. . Circle O has diameters AB and CD perpendicular to each other. AMf is any chord intersecting CD at P. The base of the decimal number system is ten, meaning, for example, that 123 = 1-10? + 2-10 +3. In the binary system, which has base two, the first five positive integers are 1, 10, 11, 100, 101. The numeral 10011 in the binary system would then be written in the decimal system as: (A) 19 (B) 40 (C) 10011. (D) 11. (E)7PROBLEMS: 1957 EXAMINATION 51 20. A man makes a trip by automobile at an average speed of 50 mph. He returns over the same route at an average speed of 45 mph. His average speed for the entire trip is: (A) 4775 (B) 473. (C) 47$— (D) 47H (E) none of these 21. Start with the theorem “If two angles of a triangle are equal, the triangle is isosceles,” and the following four statements: 1. If two angles of a triangle are not equal, the triangle is not, isosceles. 2. The base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal. 3. If a triangle is not isosceles, then two of its angles are not equal. 4. A necessary condition that two angles of a triangle be equal is that the triangle be isosceles. Which combination of statements contains only those which are logically equivalent to the given theorem? (A) 1,2,3,4 (B)1,2,3 (C)2,3,4 (D)1,2 (E)3,4 22. If Vz—1- Vz+1+1=0, then 4z equals: (A)5 (B)4-V=1 (C)O (D) 1} (E) no real value 2 8 . The graph of z* + y = 10 and the graph of z+ y = 10 meet in two points. The distance between these two points is: (A) less than 1 (B)1 (C)+/2 (D)2 (E) more than 2 24, If the square of a number of two digits is decreased by the square of the "number formed by reversing the digits, then the result is not always di- visible by: (A) 9 (B) the product of the digits (C) the sum of the digits (D) the difference of the digits (E) 11 25. The vertices of triangle PQR have coordinates as follows: P(0, a), Q(b, 0), R(c, d), where a,b,c and d are positive. The origin and point R lie on opposite sides of PQ. The area of triangle PQR may be found from the expression: (ay wot ae + be + od (p) © bd = ab (Q @rwen ed 2 2 2 ac + bd + ab ac + bd — ab — ed (Dy) Stee gy etn 26. From a point within a triangle, line segments are drawn to the vertices. A necessary and sufficient condition that the three triangles thus formed have equal areas is that the point be: (A) the center of the inscribed circle (B) the center of the cireumseribed cirele (C) such that the three angles formed at the point each be 120° (D) the intersection of the altitudes of the triangle (E) the intersection of the medians of the triangle52 31. 32. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK The sum of the reciprocals of the roots of the equation z* + pr + ¢ = 0 is: (A) -p/q (B)a/p_ (C) p/a (D) -a/p_— (E) If a and b are positiveand a # 1, b #1, then the value of b'°** is: (A) dependent upon 6 (B) dependent upon a (C) dependent upon a and b (D) zero (E) one The relation 22? — 1) > 0 is true only for: ()z>1 (B)-1<2<1 (©r=02=1,2=-1 ()s=0,r<5-1, 231 ©)z>0 where z >a means that x can take on all values greater than @ and the value equal to a, while z 4 and z<0 where >a means that z can take any value greater than a or equal to a (B) y can equal 1 (C) both z and y must be irrational (D) z and y cannot both be integers (E) both z and y must be rational ‘Two perpendicular chords intersect in a circle. The segments of one chord are 3 and 4; the segments of the other are 6 and 2. Then the diameter of the circle (A) V8 BVH (OVE OVE VEPROBLEMS: 1957 EXAMINATION 55 47. In cirele 0, the midpoint of radius OX is Q; at Q, ABAXY. The semi-circle with AB as diameter intersects XY in M. Line AM g intersects circle O in C, and line BM intersects circle O in D. Line AD c is drawn. Then, if the radius u/ \ of circle O is 7, AD is: x o (A) rv2 (Byr \/ (©) not a side of an D inscribed regular polygon Le O88 wns A 48. Let ABC be an equilateral triangle inseribed in circle O. M isa point — on are BC. Lines AM, BM, and S/ CM are drawn, Then AMT is: (A) equal to Bil + CM (B) less than Bi + CM lp (C) greater than BM + CM (D) equal, less than, or greater than BM + CM, depending upon the position of Mf (B) none of these yy 49. The parallel sides of a trapezoid are 3 and 9. ‘The non-parallel sides are 4 and 6. A line 3 parallel to the bases divides the trapezoid into two trapezoids of equal perimeters. The ratio in which each of the non-parallel sides is divided is: (A) 4:3 (B) 3:2 (©) 4:1 (D) 3:1 ©) 6:1 3 50. In cirele O, G is a moving point on diameter AB. AA’ isdrawn per- pendicular to AB and equal to AG. BB’ is drawn perpendicular to AB, on the same side of diameter AB as AA’, and equal to BG. Let 0’ be the midpoint of A’B’. Then, as G moves from A to B, point 0’: (A) moves on a straight line parallel to AB (B) remains stationary (C) moves on a straight line perpendicular to AB (D) moves in a small cirele intersecting the given circle (E) follows a path which is neither a circle nor a straight linees * x 2 . The value of [2 — 3(2 — 3)" THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 1958 Examination Part 1 (ays °. “5 (t+ @M)-t ®t wi-t.! » then z equals: Boyce - - y-e zy @y-2 Be-y ©? w a . . ato". . OF the folowing orem the one sa to ™, a is: oe Os Ope OG O © =, In the expression 21 each + is replaced by 71. The reaulting expression, evaluated for x = }, equals: (A)3 (@B) - (C)1 (D)—1 (E) none of these . The expression 2tVit sat Vis3 5 equals: ; (2 B2-Vv2 O2+v2 Dav wmv The arithmetic mean beteen =** and £—, when 2% 0, is (the symbol + means “not equal to”): (A)2,ifo#0 (B)1 (C)1, onlyifa=0 (D)ofe (Ez A straight line joins the points (—1,1) and (3,9). Its z-intercept is: wa wm? oz m2 ws Which of these four numbers V8, V8, Y0016, Y/—1-/(09)-, is (are) rational: (A) none (B) all (C) the first and fourth — (D) only the fourth (E) only the first A value of = satisfying the austin, B+ = (a—2) is: : a Pee @ Yee x My @ oe . For what real values of k, other than k = 0, does the equation 21+ ke +B =0 have real roots? (The symbol 2 >a means that z can take on all values greater than a and the value a itself; 7 O (C)E>1 (D)all values of k (E) no values of . The number of roots satisfying the equation 1/5 — z = 2/5 — = is: (A) unlimited (B)3 (C)2 (D)1 (B)O s—P T+k s ® ead +h (B) log BH (C) log @ log s (Dyes toe A+) (E) oepa EH The sum of two numbers is 10; their product is 20, The sum of their reciprocals is: we ® 1 3 (O)1 (D2 (B)4 . At a dance party a group of boys and girls exchange dances as follows: one boy dances with 5 girls, a second boy dances with 6 girls, and so on, the last boy dancing with all the girls. If b represents the number of boys and g the number of girls, then: (Ab=9 (B)b=9/5 (C)b=g-4 (D)b=g-5 (E) It is impossible to determine a relation between 5 and g without knowing the total number of boys and girls. ‘A quadrilateral is inscribed in a circle. If an angle is inscribed into each of the four segments outside the quadrilateral, the sum of these four angles, expressed in degrees, is: (A) 1080 (B) 900 (C) 720 (D) 540 (E) 360 The area of a circle inscribed in a regular hexagon is 100r. The area of the hexagon is: (A) 600 (B) 300. (C) 20072 (D) 2000/3 (E) 120-5 . If x is positive and log x > log 2 + $ log x, then: (A) 2 has no minimum or maximum value (B) the maximum value of is 1 (C) the minimum value of x is 1 (D) the maximum value of 2 is 4 (E) the minimum value of is 4 . The area of @ circle is doubled when its radius r is increased by n. ‘Then r equals: (A) nV¥2+1) (B)nV2—-1) Cn (D)n@- Vd (e) V2+119. 21. 22. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK The sides of a right triangle are a and b and the hypotenuse is c. A perpendicular from the vertex divides c into segments r and s, ad- jacent respectively to a and 6. If a:b = 1:3, then the ratio of r to 3 (A) 1:3 (B)L:9 (©) 110. (D) 3:10 (B) W110. |. If 4* — 41 = 24, then (22)* equals: (A) 575 (B) VB (C) 25/5 (D) 125 (E) 25 Part 2 In the accompanying figure E CE and DE are equal chords of a circle with center 0. Are AB is a quarter-circle. Then the ratio of the area of ¢ triangle CED to the area jo (A) V2:1 (B) V3:1 (C) 4:1 (D) 3:1 A > (BE) 2:1 A particle is placed on the parabola y = 2? 2 —6 at a point P whose ordinate is 6, It is allowed to roll along the parabola until it reaches the nearest point Q whose ordinate is —6. The horizontal distance traveled by the particle (the numerical value of the difference in the abscissas of P and Q) is: @5 @4 (3 (M2 1 If, in the expression 2* — 3, x increases or decreases by a positive amount a, the expression changes by an amount: (A) #2ar +a? (B) 2ar tat (C) tat 3 (D) (x tat —3 () @- a -3 ‘A man travels m feet due north at 2 minutes per mile. He returns due south to his starting point at 2 miles per minute. The average rate in miles per hour for the entire trip is: (A) 75 (B) 48 (C) 45 (D) 24 (E) impossible to determine without knowing the value of m If logs z-logs k = 3, then 2 equals: (A) ke (B) 5H (0) (D) 243 (B) 125 A set of n numbers has the sum s. Each number of the set is increased by 20, then multiplied by 5, and then decreased by 20. The sum of the numbers in the new set thus obtained is: (A)s+20n (B)5s+80n (C)s (D)5s (E)5s+4n3] 33. 34. PROBLEMS: 1958 EXAMINATION 59 The points (2, —3), (4,3) and (6, k/2) are on the same straight line. The value(s) of k is (are): (A) 12 (B) 12 (C) £12 (D) 1206 (E) 6 or 63 A 16-quart radiator is filled with water. Four quarts are removed and re- placed with pure antifreeze liquid. Then four quarts of the mixture are removed and replaced with pure antifreeze. This is done a third and a fourth time. The fractional part of the final mixture that is water is: 1 81 27 37 175 wo; Oo OF oF of In a general triangle ADE (as shown) E lines EB and EC are drawn. Which of the following angle rela- tions is true (A)etz=a+d (B) ytz (C)m+x=wt+n (D)tt+z+n=wtet+m B C D (E)tt+ytn=atb+m If zy = and ath-s then (x + y)* equals: (A) (@ + 26)* (B) a +0 (C)b(ab+ 2) (D) ab(b+2) (E) i +2 . The altitude drawn to the base of an isosceles triangle is 8, and the per- imeter is 32. The area of the triangle is: (A) 56 (B) 48 (C) 40 (D) 32 (E) 24 With $1000 a rancher is to buy steers at $25 each and cows at $26 each. If the number of steers s and the number of cows ¢ are both positive integers, then: (A) this problem has no solution (B) there are two solutions with s exceeding c (C) there are two solutions with ¢ exceeding s (D) there is one solution with s exceeding ¢ (B) there is one solution with ¢ exceeding s For one root of azt + br + ¢ = 0 tobe double the other, the coefficients a, b, c must be related as follows: (A) 40? = 9c (B) 20° = Gac (C) 2 = 9a (D) bt — Bac = 0 (E) 968 = 2ae ‘The numerator of a fraction is Gz + 1, the denominator is 7 — 42, and x can have any value between —2 and 2, both included. The values of « for which the numerator is greater than the denominator are: (At 1. Then a; equals: @ 8 (3 (a (D)10 (e) -17 Part 3 The roots of Az? + Br + C = 0 are r and s. For the roots of at peta=0 to be re and 8%, p must equal: (a) BEMC gq BORC @) MCHB Ey wt-20 (E) 2c — BP42, 43. 45. 46. 47. PROBLEMS: 1958 EXAMINATION 61 Ina circle with center O chord AB = chord AC. Chord AD cuts BC in B. If AC = 12 and AE = 8, then AD equals: (A) 27 (B) 24 (C) 21 (D) 20) (E) 18 AB is the hypotenuse of a right triangle ABC. Median AD = 7 and median BE = 4. The length of AB is: (A) 10 (B)5V3 (C)5V2 (D) 2/13 (E) 215 . Given the true statements: (1) If a is greater than b, then c is greater than d (2) If c is less than d, then ¢ is greater than f. A valid con- clusion i (A) If a isless than b, then ¢ is greater than f (B) If ¢ is greater than f, then a is less than } (C) If ¢ is less than f, then a is greater than b (D) If a is greater than b, then ¢ is less than f (E) none of these A check is written for x dollars and y cents, x and y both two-digit numbers. In error it is cashed for y dollars and x cents, the incorrect amount exceeding the correct amount by $17.82. Then: (A) 2 cannot exceed 70 (B) y can equal 2x (C) the amount of the check cannot be a multiple of 5 (D) the incorrect amount can equal twice the correct amount (E) the sum of the digits of the correct amount is divisible by 9 For values of + less than 1 but greater than —4, the expression ea w+e a2 has: (A) no maximum or minimum value (B) a minimum value of +1 (C) a maximum value of +1 (D) a minimum value of —1 (E) a maximum value of ~1 ABCD isa rectangle (see the accompanying diagram) with P= & pe any point on AB. PS | BD wupecac aria == [Dy and PQ 1 AF. Then PR + PS is equal to: (A) PQ a (B) AE (C) PT + AT (D) AF (EB) EF o c62 48. 49. S THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Diameter AB of acircle with center O is 10 units. C is a point 4 units from A, andon AB. D isa point 4 units from B, andon AB. P is any point on the circle. Then the broken-line path from C to P to D: (A) has the same length for all positions of P (B) exceeds 10 units for all positions of P (C) cannot exceed 10 units (D) is shortest when CPD is a right triangle (E) is longest when P is equidistant from C and D. In the expansion of (a + b)* there are n + 1 dissimilar terms. The number of dissimilar terms in the expansion of (a + 6 + c)!* is: (A) 11 (B) 33 (C) 55 (D) 66 (E) 132 In this diagram a scheme is indicated for yo APB associating all the points of segment AB oi 2 ¥ 8 with those of segment A’B’, and reciprocally. To describe this association scheme analytically let. x be the distance from a point P on AB to D and let y be the distance from the associated point P’ of A’B’ to D’. Then for any pair of associated points, if z=, x+y equals: (A) 180 (B) 174 — 51 (C) 17 - 3a 17 - 3a @) > ole’ x (E) 12a — 34 lo { fps 4 8 1959 Examination Part 1 . Each edge of a cube is increased by 50%. The percent of increase in the surface area of the cube is: (A) 50 (B) 125 (C) 150 (D) 300 (E) 750 Through a point P inside the triangle ABC’ a line is drawn parallel to the base AB, dividing the triangle into two equal areas. If the altitude to AB has a length of 1, then the distance from P to AB is: @) @L @2-v2 Mts wrt?PROBLEMS: 1959 EXAMINATION 63 2 If the diagonals of a quadrilateral are perpendicular to each other, the figure would always be included under the general classification: (A) rhombus (B) rectangle (C) square —_(D) isosceles trapezoid (E) none of these = . If 78 is divided into three parts which are proportional to 1, 4, 4, the middle part is: (A) 9} (B) 138 (C) 17} (D) 184 (E) 26 The value of (256):'°- (256) is: (A)4 (B) 16 (C) 64 (D) 256.25 (E) -16 a 2 Given the true statement: If a quadrilateral is a square, then it is a rectangle. It follows that, of the converse and the inverse of this true statement: (A) only the converse is true (B) only the inverse is true (C) both are true (D) neither is true (E) the inverse is true, but the converse is sometimes true ~ . The sides of a right triangle are a, a +d, and a+ 2d, with a and d both positive. The ratio of @ to d is: (A) 1:3) (B) 1:4 (C) 2:1 (D) 3:1) (BE) 3:4 2 The value of x? — 6x + 13 can never be less than: (A4 (45 (C5 (D7 (HB = A farmer divides his herd of n cows among his four sons so that one son gets one-half the herd, a second son, one-fourth, a third son, one-fifth, and the fourth son, 7 cows. Then 7 is: (A) 80 (B) 100 (C) 140 (D) 180 (E) 240 10. In triangle ABC, with AB = AC = 36, a point D is taken on AB at a distance 1.2 from A. Point D is joined to point E in the pro- longation of AC so that triangle AED is equal in area to triangle ABC Then AE equals: (A)48 (B)54 (C)72 (D)108 (E) 12.6 . The logarithm of .0625 to the base 2 is: (A) 025 (B).25 (C)5 (D)-4 (E) -2 12, By adding the same constant to each of 20, 50, 100 a geometric progression results. The common ratio is: 5 4 3 1 1 Ms; BB; OF Os Hs 13. The arithmetic mean (average) of a set of 50 numbers is 38. If two num- bers, namely, 45 and 55, are discarded, the mean of the remaining set of numbers is: (A) 36.5 (B) 37 (C) 372 (D) 37.5 (B) 37.5214. 15. 18. 19. 21. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Given the set S whose elements are zero and the even integers, positive and negative. Of the five operations applied to any pair of elements: (1) addition (2) subtraction (3) multiplication (4) division (5) finding the arithmetic mean (average), those operations that yield only elements of S are: (A)all (B)1,2,3,4 (C)1,2,38,5 (D)1,2,3 (E)1,3,5 In a right triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal to twice the product of the legs. One of the acute angles of the triangle is: (A) 15° (B) 30° (C) 45°. (D) 60° (E) 75° w-3c+2, Se +4 . The expression 5 — EFT a. SPE TS, when simplified, is: (x — 1)(2 — 6) z+3 atl) Ve=pere BFR OP M1 we I ycat 8 where a and b are constants, and if y = 1 when 2=-l, and y =5 when 2 = —5, then a + b equals: (A) -1 (B)O (C)1 (D)10 (BE) ll ‘The arithmetic mean (average) of the first_n positive integers is: ays ws (C)n aS wot With the use of three different weights, namely, 1 Ib., 3 Ib., and 9 Ib., how many objects of different weights can be weighed, if the objects to be weighed and the given weights may be placed in either pan of the scale? (A)15 (B) 13) (C)1l = (D)9 = (E)7 . It is given that x varies directly as y and inversely as the square of 2, and that 2 = 10 when y = 4 and z = 14. Then, when y = 16 and z= 7, x equals: (A) 180 (B) 160 (C) 154 (D) 140 (B) 120 Part 2 If p is the perimeter of an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle, the area of the circle is: 7? = ™ ™ wy3 ae wt @e me m4 . The line joining the midpoints of the diagonals of a trapezoid has length 3 If the longer base is 97, then the shorter base is: (A) 94 (B)92 (C)91 (D) 90 (E) 8924, PROBLEMS: 1959 EXAMINATION 65 . The set of solutions for the equation logis (a? — 15a) = 2 consists of: (A) two integers (B) one integer and one fraction (C) two irrational numbers (1D) two non-real numbers (E) no numbers, that is, the set is empty. A chemist has m ounces of salt water that is m% salt. How many ounces of salt must he add to make a solution that is 2m% ae 2m. Oe rn B)ig—m Omocm wrm 2m 100 + m 10 =a 2m 100 + 2m + 2m (E) . The symbol |a| means -+a if a is greater than or equal to zero, and a if a is less than or equal to zero; the symbol < means “less than”; the symbol > means “greater than.” The set of values x satisfying the inequality |3 — x| <4 consists of all 2 such that: (A)at<49 (B)at>1 (C)1 means “greater than or equal to”; the symbol < means “less than or equal to”. In the equation (x — m)* — (x — n)? = (m — n)*, m isa fixed posi- tive number, and n is a fixed negative number. The set of values satisfying the equation is: (A)z>0 (B)z9b>6 (B)a>%b<6 Car9, b=6 (D) @ > 9 but we can put no bounds on 6 (E) 2a = 3b . Given the line 3% + 5y = 15 and a point on this line equidistant from the coordinate axes. Such a point exists in: (A) none of the quadrants (B) quadrant I only (C) quadrants I, II only (D) quadrants I, II, 11 only (E) each of the quadrants Part 3 For 2? + 22 + 5 to bea factor of xt + px* +g, the values of p and q must be, respectively: (A) -2,5 (B) 5,25 (C) 10,20 (D) 6,25 (E) 14, 25 In this figure the center of the circle is 0. AB 1 BC, ADOE isa straight line, AP = AD, and AB basa length twice the radius. Then: 4 (A) AP? = PB-AB (B) 4P-DO = PB-AD (C) 4B = AD-DE (D) AB-AD = 0B-AO (E) none of these35. 37. PROBLEMS: 1960 EXAMINATION 73 You are given a sequence of 58 terms; each term has the form P + 2 where P stands for the product 2-3-5- --- -61 of all prime numbers (a prime number is a number divisible only by 1 and itself) less than or equal to 61, and n takes, successively, the values 2, 3, 4,--- , 59. Let N be the number of primes appearing in this sequence. Then NV’ is: (A)O (B)16 (C)17 (D)57 (E88 ‘Two swimmers, at opposite ends of a 90-foot pool, start to swim the length of the pool, one at the rate of 3 feet per second, the other at 2 feet per second. They swim back and forth for 12 minutes. Allowing no loss of time at the turns, find the number of times they pass each other. (A) 24 (B)21.(C)20 (D) 19 (18 From point P outside a circle, with a circumference of 10 units, a tangent is drawn. Also from P a secant is drawn dividing the circle into unequal arcs with lengths m and n. It is found thet t, the length of the tan- gent, is the mean proportional between m and n. If m and ¢ are integers, then ¢ may have the following number of values: (A) zero (B) one (C)two (D) three (E) infinitely many . Let 1, 82, & be the respective sums of 1, 2n, 3n terms of the same arithmetic progression with a as the first term and das the common difference. Let. R = 81 — s: — 1. Then R is dependent on: (A)a and d (B)d and n (C)a and n (D)a, d, and n (E) neither a@ nor d nor The base of a triangle is of length , and the altitude is of length h. A rectangle of height 2 is inscribed in the triangle with the base of the rectangle in the base of the triangle. The area of the rectangle is: w#a-2 @Ho-» (#u-2») (D) x(b— 2) (E) 2(h — 2) In this diagram AB and AC are the equal sides of an isosceles triangle ABC, in which is inscribed equilateral tri- angle DEF. Designate angle BFD by a, angle ADE by b, and angle FEC by c. Then: (ayo=2t (yo =4 Ee 2 bt+e ee [NS \ 1 . (E) none of these 8 F Cc74 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK otb_ it, a and b must be: (A) both rational (B) both real but not rational (C) both not real (D) one real, one not real (E) one real, one not real or both not real 39. To satisfy the equation 40. Given right triangle ABC with legs BC = 3, AC = 4. Find the length of the shorter angle trisector from C’ to the hypotenuse: _ (4) BV8= 2 (gp) BVE=8 eys—s (0) M2 25 (5Il Answer Keys AAwAOdaODAR FIGISESSSS cARAmMWAO>Ill Solutions 1950 Solutions Part 1 1, Numbers proportional to 2, 4,6 are 22, 4, 62, respectively. Qn + 42+ 6c = 64; t= 5h, 2x = 108. 2.16 = 8 — 4; 5. Denote the terms in the geometric progression by a; = 8, dy = Br, +++, ay = Br? = 5832. = 729; “r= 3 and as = 8rt = 648. 6. Solve the second equation for 2, substitute into the first equation and simplify: a= -¥t8, 2(- vtay +0(- Yt) oy 41 = 0; f+ Wy —7 =0. . Placing 1 a8 indicated shifts the given digits to the left, so that ¢ is now the hundreds’ digit and u is now the tens’ digit. “100i + 10u + 1. x 792 15. 1c THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Let r be the original radius; then 2r = new radius, rr? = original area, 4xr? = new area. 2 oe Percent inerease in area = ene +100 = 300. Of all triangles inscribable in a semi-circle, with the diameter as base, the one with the greatest area is the one with the largest altitude (the radius); that is, the isosceles triangle. Thus the area is }-2r-r = 7. V8B=Vv2 V8+V2_ 1 v3 V3B+V2 34+-V6 en e , . “Rim (ny Fr’ Therefore an increase in nm makes the denominator smaller and, consequently, the fraction C larger. . It is a theorem in elementary geometry that the sum of the exterior angles of any (convex) polygon is a constant, namely two straight angles. . Set each of the factors equal to zero: 2=0,r-4=0, 2-85 +2 = — 2)(e- 1) =0; 12 =0,4,2,1. . Geometrically, the problem represents a pair of parallel lines, with slope equal to %, and hence there is no intersection point. Algebraically, if aztby=cr and a+ by = cr, then, multiplying the first equation by bs, the second by bj, and sub- tracting, we have = Cbs — rb (ay bs — aa bia = cy br — cob; = ham Thus if aibz: — a2b: = 0 and c, #0, c: #0, 2 is undefined and no solution exists. It is understood that we restrict ourselves to rational coefficients and integral powers of x. With this restriction x* + 4 is not factorable. Part 2 . The binomial expansion of (x + y)" has n+ 1 terms. Thus ((@ + 3b)*\(a — 3b)*F = (a? — 9b8)* has 4+ 1=5 terms.17. 18. 19. 21. tA SOLUTIONS: 1950 EXAMINATION 81 To obtain a formula directly from the table involves work beyond the indicated scope. Consequently, the answer must be found by testing the choices offered. (A) is immediately eliminated since, for equally spaced values of 2, the values of y are not equally spaced; ~.y cannot be a linear funetion of z. (B) fails beyond the second set of values. (C) satisfies the entire table. (D) fails with the first set of values. Of the four distributive laws given in statements (1), (2), (3) and (5), only (1) holds in the real number field. Statement (4) is not to be con- fused with log (2/y) = log z — log y. ~. (E) is the correct choice. ‘The job requires md man-days, so that one man can do the job in md days. Therefore, (m+ 1) men can do the job in md/(m + r) days; or tim. ge md ado mtr? m+r’ By ordinary division—in this instance a long and tedious operation— the answer (D) is found to be correct. By the Remainder Theorem, we have R = 1% +41 = 2. Note: The use of synthetic division shortens the work considerably, but synthetic division iteelf is generally regarded as beyond the indicated scope of this examination. The Remainder ‘Theorem is likewise beyond the scope of this examination. = 12, hw =8 and lw = 6. Eliminating A we obtain 1 = 3u/2. Eliminating 1, 3u'/2= 6. w= 2, 1=3, h=4, and V = Wh = 24; or Vi = (Wh)! = Ih-hw-lw = 12-8-6 = 4-6. = 4-6 = 24 Let P be the original price. Then a discount of 10% gives a new price P—.1P = 9P. Following this by a discount of 20%, we have OP — 2.9P) = .72P. Thus the net discount is P — .72P = .28P or 28%; or 2 _ 2 _ 29% . 10 net discount = d) + ds — dids = G55 + 356 — G00 5h _ p— bp — aos. Let R be the yearly rent, Then 7,100 = R — i54R — 325; “R= $1000 and % ~ $93.38.24, 25. 31. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Ve-2=4-2, 2-2=16-8r+2, 0 = at — 92 + 18 = (x — 6)(@ — 3); A check is obtained only with x = 3. . logs 3") = loge 5 b = logiom + login = logiomn; mn = 10°; = Slogs5 = 5. = 10°/n; or logiom = logiolO — logion = logio(10*/n); om = 10°/n. If a car travels a distance d at rate ri and returns the same distance at rate rz, then totaldistance_ 2dr total time = d/n+d/n n+’ 2-30-40 _ 240 = FH ph. Notice that A and B both travel for the same amount of time. Since A travels 48 miles while B travels 72 miles, we have average speed = 48 72 popear ss Since the first machine addresses 500 envelopes in 8 minutes, it addresses 500/8 envelopes in 1 minute and 2-500/8 in 2 minutes. If the second machine addresses 500 envelopes in x minutes, then it addresses 2-500/2 envelopes in 2 minutes. To determine z so that both machines together address 500 envelopes in 2 minutes we use the condition 2 2 = 500 , 500 _ Tile g 500 + 5 - 500 = 500 or + 250 or +: If B is the original number of boys and G the original number of girls, then B45 _ G15 ase 6G = 40. Let x be the number of pairs of blue socks, and let y be the price of a pair of blue socks. Then 2y is the price of a pair of black socks and 2y + 4-y = H4-2y + z-y). Divide by y and solve for z. te = 4:16 = 1:4.32. 3% 37. 38. = SOLUTIONS: 1950 EXAMINATION 83 Before sliding, the situation is represented by a right triangle with hypo- tenuse 25, and horizontal arm 7, so that the vertical arm is 24. After sliding, the situation is represented by a right triangle with hypotenuse 25, and vertical arm 20, so that the horizontal arm is 15. 15 — 7 = 8 80 that (D) is the correct, choice. The cross section of the pipe is R*. «large pipe/small pipe = 6/1? =36. ‘The large pipe hes the carrying capacity of 36 small pipes. Since C = 2rr, letting rz be the original radius, ry the final radius, we Have 25 — 20 = xr, — 2erz = 2e(ri ~ 12); oot — 12 = 5/2e. For any right triangle we have a-rt+b-r=c where r is the radius of the inscribed circle. 22 satb—e 24+ 10 — 26 Part 3 Let C = merchant’s cost, L = list price, M = marked price, S = selling price, and P = profit. Then 1, _3 1 4 C=L-jL=jL, S=M-3M=—M, S=C+P, 4,,_ 3 14 =). plata gm Mas Reference to the graph of y = log.z, a > 1, or to the equality z = a¥, shows that (A), (B), (C), and (D) are all correct. 2x1} = Qr-r — lex = 3; 22 L = 0, the ordinate of V is the minimum value of the function ax? + br +c and if a <0, it is the maximum value. 42. If 2" = 2, then the exponent, which is again 2” is also 2, and we have = 2, Therefore z= V2.44. 45. 47. 48. 49. SOLUTIONS: 1950 EXAMINATION 85 . Rearrange the terms: 1,1. 1/7 TR 1-(/?) "4 2,27... at 2. CRT 1-1/7) 48’ seatan3. Looking at y ~ logsr or equivalently x = b*, we see that y = 0 for x = 1. That is, the graph cuts the z-axis at x = 1. d = n(n — 3)/2 = 100-97/2 = 4850. In the new triangle AB = AC + BC, that is, C lies on the line AB. Consequently, the altitude from C is zero. Therefore, the area of the triangle is zero. By similar triangles, (h — 2)/h = 2c/b. -.2 = bh/(2h + b). Let P be an arbitrary point in the equilateral triangle ABC with sides of length ¢, and denote the perpendicular segments by pe, Ps, Pe- Lh Then Lf —~ 8. —_ Area ABC = Area APB + Area BPC + Area CPA = 4 (sp. + spe + sp.) = 38(Da + Do + D)- Also, Area ABC = 43-h, where h is the length of the altitude of ABC. Therefore, h = pat ps + pe and this sum does not depend on the location of P. Perhaps the easiest approach to this problem is through coordinate geom- etry. Tet the triangle be A(0, 0), B(2,0) and C(x, y). Then A,, the midpoint of BC, has the coordinates [(x + 2)/2, y/2l. Therefore, using the distance formula, we have : vy 2 + ®) -q jz+2\, [v'_3 ‘et2V y s Oot» (9 or (a+2)+y = 9. This equation represents a circle with radius 3 inches and center 4 inches from B along BA; —>» 9 s THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK or as extreme values we may have a — 6 = 2 and a —b =O, using the notation a, 6, with its usual meaning. From the median formula, with c=2 and m, = 3/2, we have 2%+8=9+a% «2% —at=1. Using the given extreme values in succession, we have b= 5 and a=7, and b=1 snd a=1. Therefore, the maximum distance between the extreme positions of C is 6 inches. These facts, properly collated, lead to the same result as that shown above. After the two-hour chase, at 1:45 P.M. the distance between the two ships is 4 miles. Let ¢ be the number of hours needed for the privateer to overtake the merchantman. Let D and D + 4 be the distances covered in t hours by the merchantman and the privateer, respectively. Then Rate of merchantman-t = D, and Rate of privateer-t = D + 4 or 8:17 jp fo D+4 and 8 = D; -.t = 33 hours, so that the ships meet at 5:30. 1951 Solutions Part 1 . The pedagogic value of this extremely simple problem can be enhanced by a discussion of necessary restrictions on the number-nature of M and N, the permissibility of negative numbers, and so forth, Let the dimensions of the field be w and 2w, Then 6w =z, w = 2/6, and 2w=2/3. A = w-2w = 2/18. A= }d = }a +b). S = 1(18-10) + 2[2(13-5) + 2(10-5)] = 590. S$, = 10,000 + 1000 = 11,000, S: = 11,000 — 1100 = 9900, S, — S: = 1100. +. (B) is the correct choice. If the dimensions are designated by |, w, h, then the bottom, side, and frontareasare lo, wh, Al. The product of these areas is Pwh? = (lwh)* = the square of the volume.a 10. 11. . In 15 minutes the hour hand moves through an angle of t of 30° = 74°. 13. 16. 1 a SOLUTIONS: 1951 EXAMINATION 87 Relative error = error/measurement. Since .02/10 = .2/100, the relative errors are the same. Let M_ be the marked price of the article. M — .1M = 9M = new price. To restore .9M to M requires the addition of .1M..1M = #(.9M), and 4, expressed as a percent, is 114%. Let Pt be the perimeter of the kth triangle. Then Pry = 4Pe. S=PAt ht ht: = 1 . 1 3 see =8at5-8a+5- 50+ = a( a gly -) ata feor__ 60° 1 ‘e = 8g (C) is incorrect since doubling the radius of a given circle quadruples the area. The new series is a* + ar? + art + ---; OS = @/(1 — 7). Therefore, the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand is 224°. In one day A can do 1/9 of the job. Since B is 50% more efficient than A, B can do (3/2)(1/9) = 1/6 of the job in one day. Therefore, B needs 6 days for the complete job. . (C) is incorrect since some terms (primitives) must necessarily remain undefined. . nt — n= (n~— 1)(n)(n + 1), for integral values of 7, represents the product of three consecutive integers. Since in a pair of consecutive in- tegers, there is a multiple of two, and in a triplet of consecutive integers, there is a multiple of three, then n? — n is divisible by 6. Part 2 ‘The condition ¢ = b#/4a implies equal real roots of f(z) = 0 for real coefficients, i.e., the curve touches the z-axis at exactly one point and, therefore, the graph is tangent to the z-axis. (A), (B), (C), and (E) are of theform y = kz or zy = k, but (D) is not.19. 21. ). Let the ratio of altitude to THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK . Let the factors be Ax+ B and Cz + D. Then (Az + B)(Cz + D) = ACz? + (AD + BC)x + BD = 212 + ax + 21. AC = 21, BD = 21. Since 21 is odd, all its factors are odd. There- fore each of the numbers A and C’ isodd. The same is true for B and D. Since the product of two odd numbers is odd, AD and BC are odd numbers; a = AD + BC, the sum of two odd numbers, is even. Such a number can be written as P-10° + P = P(10* + 1) = P(1001), where P is the block of three digits that repeats. -.(E) is the correct choice. mtggt rit) 1 ety. a (Catyy (a +y agt+}) 4p wy 7 tt (C) is not always correct since, if 2 is negative, zz < yz. Since logi(a? — 15) = 2, then a? — 15a = 108 = 100. The solution set for this quadratic equation is {20, —5}. Since V = rh, we must have (r+ 2)'h = w%(h + 2). sa = (r — 2rh)/h. For r = 8 and h = 3, wehave z = 5}. art —2(2") _ a". 9-2-2" _ 2-29" -1)_7 2a) 2 Bes 2-2-2 8 . Let s1 be the side of the square, a: its apothem; then si = 4s, and since 2a; = a, we have 4ai = 8a: or a; = 2. Let s: be the side of the equilateral triangle, A its altitude and a: its apothem; then 83/3/4 = 3a,. Since h = 3ar, and s: = 2h/+/3 = 6a//3, we have (36a2/3)/3/4 = 3-6a2/+/3, and a: = 2 =a). . After simplification, we have 2*— 2 — m(m+1) = 0. For equal roots the discriminant D = 1+ 4m(m+ 1) = 0 = (2m + 1). om =} . We may eliminate (A) and (D) by proving that corresponding angles are not equal. If (A) is false, (B) is certainly false. We may eliminate (C) by placing the point very close to one side of the triangle. Thus none of the four statements is true. P = kAV?, 1 = k-1-16; ok 36/9 = (1/16*)-(1)-(V*); = 1/16; = 32 (mph). base be r, The triangles in the figure satisfy condition (D) but have different shapes. Hence (D) does not deter- mine the shape of a triangle.SOLUTIONS: 1951 EXAMINATION 89 and 0. 100 ~ 100 — 20] - = . 100-y Y 100 — 52’ x = 16 (inches). 31. Let _n be the number of people present. Single out a particular individual P. P shakes hands with (n — 1) persons, and this is true for each of the n persons. Since each handshake is between two persons, the total number of handshakes is n(n — 1)/2 = 28. -.n = 8; or C(n, 2) = n(n — 1)/2 = 28. 32. The inscribed triangle with maximum perimeter is the isosceles right triangle; in this case AC + BC = AB+/2. Therefore, in general, AC + BC < ABY2. 33. (at — 2 = 0) 4 (at = 22) (@ — 2e +1 = 1) o(@—1= 2-1). <-(C) is the correct choice. 34, In general, a” = N, with suitable restrictions on a and N; or let 10'°%*? = N. Taking logarithms of both sides of the equation to the base 10, we have logio7-logiel0 = loge. -.N = 7. at = a = at 35. Since cY = a’, =a 2q/Y; say = @. Part 3 36. To prove that a geometric figure is a locus it is essential to (1) include all proper points, and (2) exclude all improper points. By this criterion, (B) is insufficient to guarantee condition (1); i.e., (B) does not say that every point satisfying the conditions lies on the locus.90 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 37. Let N denote the number to be found; then we may write the given in- formation as N= 10H+9 =94+8 = ++ =2n41. Hence N +1 = 10(a + 1) = 9a, + 1) = --- = 2+), N +1 has factore 2, 3,4, +++, 10 whose least common multiple 2.3457 = 250, «N= 2510. 38. .03 = 600/z, and .02 = 600/22; «21 = 20,000 and x2 = 30,000; “42 — 21 = 10,000 (feet). 39. The average rate of fall of the stone is 3 (initial rate + final rate) = 3(0 + 160) = 8. Since the distance d traveled by the stone and the sound is the same, d= rit = retz. ..The times of travel are inversely proportional to the rates of fall: ri/rs = t/t. 8 _77-t 120° 40. Since 2 +1 = (2+ Ie? 241) and ®@-1=(¢-)e+2+1), the given expression, when simplified, is 1 (with suitable restrictions on the value of 2). s.t~7(seconds); — «. 16° ~ 16-7" = 784 (feet). 41. Since the y-differences are 2, 4, 6,8, a quadratic function is suggested, thus eliminating (C). A quick check of the other choices shows that (B) or Make the check with each of the choices given. 42.2r=VJYltaz, PHlt2a 2-2-1 wl 9, the triangle is acute, so that (C) is a correct choice. A check of (D) by the Law of Sines or the Law of Cosines shows that it is ineorrect. (B) is obviously incorrect by the Law of Sines. Note: The elimination of (B) and (D) involves trigonometry, and so, in part, this problem is beyond the indicated scope. Part 2 10 . 1 jr and A isreduced by 7, or 91%; or 1 r _ 1 _ 7 pet b= (0+ dy o)(h- aa) = me om 700 &* Tooo O* Let C be the cost, L the list price, S the selling price and M the marked price. c= $1, s=ct+tis, s=4m. 4y =41,; =2r, 2(C)i i Bo gM = Gls Gli +-(C) is the correct choice. log p + log q = log (pq). Thus we must have pq =p +4. “p=Wq- 2). Since BD bisects angle ABE, DAB have 42 _ 28; we have £5 = 5 > since BE bisects angle DBC, € we have DE _ BD. EC” BC B c Hence 4D _ DE(AB/BE) _ (AB)(BD) EC ~ DE(BC/BD) (BE)(BC)"SOLUTIONS: 1952 EXAMINATION 95 wendy s i J +(B) is incorrect. 21, Each such angle is the vertex angle of an isosceles triangle whose base angles are each, in degrees, 180 — (n — 2)180/n = 360/n. svangle = 180 — (720/n) = (180n — 720)/n = 180(n — 4)/n. De tsaP+i; A oa = VRR—3. 2 o. b x Bt c a m-1 m-1 23. The equation is equivalent to #- (6425 rom =0. Since the coefficient of z is equal to the sum of the roots, it must be zero. We have b+ ™—1qg=0. bm +b+ma—a=0; m+i umeaze . a+b 2%, Since AB = 20 and AC = 12, BG = 16. Since ABDE ~ ABCA, Area ABDE _ 10° “12-16 = SeeABCA 7 joi: But Ares ABCA = 3-12-16 = 96. 2. Area ABDE = 374, and the required area is 96 — 37} = 58}. Note: the method here shown is based on subtracting the area of ABDE from that of ABCA. It ia a worthwhile exercise to find the area of the quadrilateral by decomposing it into two right triangles. 25, Since the times are inversely proportional to the rates (see 1951, Problem 39),96 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 27. Let Py and P; be the perimeters of the smaller and larger triangles respectively. We have r = 83/2 and s = 2r//3. “Py = ®rV3 and P: = 3/3; [*_\ c PuPy = 2:3. NS 28. (C) is shown to be the correct choice by direct check. Note: The fact that the y-differences are 4, 6, 8, and 10 can be used to eliminate (A) and (B) immediately. 29. Let KB=x and CK =y. Then y(8— y) = 2(10 — 2) and Y= 6- 2h te “ 8y-¥ =50-¥; “y= 25/4, y= = 09) 9 ang 1-2 =%, so that (A) is the correct choice. 30. Using $= 3 2a + (n — 1d), we have Wea +d) = 43020 + 4a). od = 2a; aid = 1:2, . Single out any one point A. Joined to theremaining 11 points, A yields 11 lines. Since a line is determined by two points, we have for the 12 points, }+12-11 = 66 (lines); 3 or C (12, 2) = }-12-11 = 66. = 30/z. 32. Time = distance/rate; 33. For a given perimeter the circle has the largest area; let P be the common perimeter, A, and A; the areas of the circle and the square, respectively. Then P = 2nr, me AAG Pp Po - : 8° P =4s, =F, Aa Since 4x < 16, Ai > Az.SOLUTIONS: 1952 EXAMINATION 7 34, Let the original price be P. Then P; = (: + BP =(1-2. e(i1-2 P\p o1; r=(i 100) P (: Bo)(t + Bs)? h .pP 1 __10,000 , (F/100) ~ 10,000 = p** 35, —__V2 2+ V3) + V5 _ 2+ Vo + VIO, (V2 + V3) - V5 (V2 + V3) + V5 26 2+V6+ V0 V6 _ 2V6+64+2V15 _ 3+ VO+ VIB ws t . 26 ve 26 Part 3 a 2 2 +1_@+i)(@-et+1)_ e-2r4)1 for: -1. z-t -3 a etl 3 For continuity at x = —1, we must define Poi 7s Note: This problem is beyond the indicated scope. 37. By symmetry, the required area is 4(T + S). T = 43 = 83, S = (30/360): 18 = 54x; A = 32/3 + Qde, 38. 1400 = 4-50(8a + 8b). -. a ++ 6 = 7. This indeterminate equation is satisfied by the following pairs of integral values: 1, 6; 2,5; 3, 4. *. (D) is the correct choice. 30. P+ ut ad, lt w= p/2, + ul =P + Ww tw = pis, 2lw = pt/s — @, (L— w)t = PB lw + wt = 2 — pt/4, and l-w= Vee — p/2.98 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 40. We are told that the values of f(x) listed correspond to H(z), fle +h), fle + 2h), +++, fle + 7h). Observe that the difference between successive values is given by S@ + h) — f(z) = ale + hy) + 1@ + A) +e — (Ca? + bx +0) = Qahr + ah? + bh. Since this difference is a linear function of z, it must change by the same amount whenever x is increased by h. But the successive differ- ences of the listed values 3844-3969 «4096 «4227 «4356 «4489 «46244761 are 125127131129 133135137 so that, if only one value is incorrect, 4227 is that value. 4 Vit y= + Oh = ht 6); +62 PB 230 — 12r — 36 = 0; 42, D = PQQQ +++ = a1 +++ aby +++ bybi +++ by +> . So (A), (B), (C) and (E) are all correct choices. To check that (D) is incorrect, we have 10D — 10D = PQ - P. “. 10°00" — 1)D = PQ - 1). 43. For each semi-circle the diameter is 2r/n, and the length of its arc is ar/n. The sum of n such ares is n-2r/n = xr = semi-circumference. 44. Given 10u+¢ = k(utt). Let 106+ u= mut 0). Ut uekt mut); ak+m=; am=u-k 45, The Arithmetic Mean is (a + 5)/2, the Geometric Mean is +/ab, and the Harmonic Mean is 2ab/(a + b). The proper order for decreasing magnitude is (E); or Since (a — b)? > 0, we have a? + b? > 2ab; ©. @ + 2ab +B > 4ab, a+b > 2V/ab, and (a + b)/2 > Vad. Since a? + 2ab + b# > dab, we have 1 > 4ab/(a + 0); +. ab > 4atb?/(a + 6), and ~/ab > 2ab/(a + b). 46. Area (new) = (€+)d—-l)=@-P= wy, ~. (C) is the correct, choice. 47. From equation (1) 2 = #. From equation (2) 2° = 24, 2= 2x +1; z-t_lyn-l a 2° +y+ ¥ = 16. This equation has one From equation (3) ¥ z 1 integral root y=3. t= 4, y=3,2=9SOLUTIONS: 1953 EXAMINATION 99 48. Let f and s denote the speeds of the faster and slower cyclists, respec- tively. The distances (measured from the starting point of the faster eyclist) at which they meet are (1) f-r=k-+s-r when they travel in the same direction, and (2) f-t=k—s-t when the slower one comes to meet the other. From (2), f +s =k/t; from (1), f—s =k/r. each hah tO glk blend r t rt t r rt rr fy rot 49. By subtracting from AABC the sum of ACBF, ABAE, and ACD and restoring ACDN, + ABFN; + AAEN:, we have ANWwW3. ACBF = ABAE = AACD = {AABC. From the assertion made in the statement of the problem, it follows that. ACDN: = ABFN, = AAEN:2 = 4-44ABC = ¥yAABC. * QNiNWNs = ABC — 3-4QABC + 3-zyAABC = FAABC. 50. Rearrange the terms: at _ v2, v2 g and Sm te oS = St Se = 4 + V2). vz + 6 + 1 1 Seltgtigt: 1953 Solutions Part 1 . The profit on each orange sold is 4 — 34 = $cent. ©. gn = 100, n = 150. D =D, + D: — DiD:, D = 20 + 15 — 3 = 32. ve S = 250 — (.32)(250) = (.68)(250), that is, 68% of 250. (See 1950, Problem 22.) 3. 2 + y has no linear factors in the real field. 2* + y* = (z + iy(z — ty) in the complex field. Note: This problem is probably beyond the indicated scope. n* = xs THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK . Set each factor equal to zero, and solve the three resulting equations. The roots are 0,—4, —4, and 4, (The factor 2? + 8x + 16 = (+ 4)? has the double root —4.) . t = 6 = 6.6!” = 366. 3 [50 +1) = (a + 5)] = 3 (4g — 4) = 109 - 1. . Multiply numerator and denominator by «/a? +a! and simplify. (D) is the correct choice. For intersection 8/(2* + 4) = 2 — 2. coat = Oat $ de = ofa — Or + 4 2=0. Hee 7 Lo OFn 0? 2 = 6. . The circumference of the wheel is 6x. -. N = 5280/6x = 880/n. . Cy = 2xr, Cr = 2x(r + 10); . C2 — C1 = 20% ~ 60 (feet). . As/Ar = w4*/x6? = 4/9. . A = bbh = $h(bi + ba); obit br = b = 18. vm = H(b1 + by) = 9. . Each assertion is realized in the accompanying figure. Hence, none of these statements is false. (B) a) ( (c) . Designate a side of the original square by s. en the radius r of the inseribed circle is s/2. A side of the second square (inscribed in the circle) is rx/2 = s/+/2. Therefore, the area of the second square is s#/2, while that of the original square iss. — -. (B) is the correct choice.ai. . 275-9 = 3°-3"7-379 = 3% logs 3 = 44. 25. 26. 27. 3, ( = 2 ta \aY, SOLUTIONS: 1953 EXAMINATION 101 Part 2 . S = Selling price = cost + profit + expense = C + .10S + .15S; S$ = 4/3C; — «. (D) is the correct choice. Liisi . . 7 EG + ) o2 = 48; or Let y be the amount invested at 4%. Then .04y = .06(4500 — y) and y = 2700. Therefore the total interest is .04(2700) + .06(1800) = 216, and (216/4500)-100 = 4.8%. ah 4 = (ch + 4c? + 4) — 42? = (2 + 2)? — (2x)? = (xt + 2x + 2)(at — 2x + 2). sae 2 exl(ealk 1\_ ata — 4 tetise[(c +h)+(-+3) Jee 2 Since a +4, = ¢ + ) — 2, we have z x Gi ay’, and the decrease is zy* — Zh ay? = 0. f(y -2+y-4) =e +y- 6) =0. 2 32+6 = 10' = 10 or 2 — 38x — 4 = 0; Multiply both sides of the equation by ~/z + 10. e+ 10-6 = 572+ 10, 2 — 17x — 234 = 0, x = 26 or —9. —9 fails to check, ice, it is an extraneous root. - 100a? + 10a(b + c) + be = 100a? + 100a + be. For equality we must have b+ ¢ = 10. ar” = ar"+! + artt?; aP+trad; ar = (VW5-1)/2. Let x be the required length. Then 2?/15* = 2/3. a= 150; 2 = 56. SartitRt sey S=x/(1 -(1/4)] = 44/3. ‘The bisector of an angle of the triangle divides the opposite sides into segments proportional to the other two sides, ie., y/c = z/b. It follows that 2/b = (x + y)/(b + ¢) = a/(b +o).102 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 29. (D) is the correct choice. Consult sections on approximate numbers for the explanation. Note: For a full understanding of the topic, a knowledge of calculus is needed. 30. B pays A 9000 — y-9000 = $8100. A pays B 8100 + 58100 = $8910. Thus A has lost 8910 — 8100 = $810. 31. 30 ft. per second corresponds to 1 click per second. In miles per hour, 30-60"/5280 = 225/11 mph corresponds to 1 click per second. 1 mph corresponds to 11/225 clicks per second, which is approximately 1 click in 20 seconds. So x miles per hour corresponds approximately to x clicks in 20 seconds. 32, The diagonals of the quadrilateral formed lie along the two perpendicular lines joining the midpoints of the opposite sides of the rectangle. These diagonals are of different lengths, and they are perpendicular bisectors of each other. Therefore, the figure is a rhombus; or the sides of the quadrilateral can be proved equal by congruent triangles. Also it can be proved that no interior angle is a right angle. 33. Let x be one of the equal sides of the triangle. 2p = 2 + 2/2; aed 2p 12 1 4p" 6-42 _ = ania}. Sa 4v? _ 3-22). 2+V2 37 2 544y3 6-4y3a POP 34, Let the 12-inch side be AC. Since 4B = 30°, AC = 60°. AC = 7; J: Op = d = 24 (inches). 35. He +2) = (@ + He+2—1)/2 and Seti) =@+D@+1-N2 So (e+ 1/2 = f@t M/s; fe + 2) = (@ + Wet V/s Note: The symbolism here is beyond the indicated scope.SOLUTIONS: 1953 EXAMINATION 103 Part 3 36. By actual division, the remainder is found to be 18 + m. Since z — 3 isa factor, 18 + m = 0, and, therefore, m = —18. <. (C) is the cor- rect choice; or by the Factor Theorem Converse, 36 ~ 18 + m= 0. «m= -18 37. Let. x be the distance from the center c of the circle to the base and let Then h=r-+ a be the altitude of AABC. W4+9 = 144. .h = ¥/I1B5. n= B+ at = 3+ (h- nt B+ hr + (9 + h)/2h = (9 + 135)/20/ 135 c+ = 1444/135/270 = 8+/15/5. a 8 38. F[3,f(4)] means the value of b? + a when a = 3 and b = 2, namely, 7. Note: This problem is beyond the indieated scope. 39. For permissible values of @ and b, logsb-logsa = or Let x = logsb and y = loge. at = b and bY =a. sav=baa 4 zy=1; ~ logeb-loga = 1. 40. To contradict the given statement, preface it with “It is not true that --- ”. Therefore, the negation is (C); or in symbols, given Faz eM | z is honest}. Vs = GilveM | zis dishonest], 00-4, 8002 = 250,000. “© = 312} (rods); 300) <. (B) is the correct choice. So °42. 43. 45. 47. 48. ¢ 49. THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK A = 41? — 9 = 40%, Let ¢ be the price of the article, n the number of sales. Then (+ p)sl[1 — d)n] = sn, p ~d — pd = 0, d = p/(l + p). |. Let the true equation be x* + bz + ¢ = 0, the equation obtained by the first student be 2* + bz + c’ = 0, and the equation obtained by the second student be 2? + b’x + ¢ = 0. a+ be+eci =2?- 102+ 16=0 and e+bert+co= 2+ 1l0r+9=0. o@+bo+e=x2- 10r+9=0. For a # b, Arithmetic Mean > Geometric Mean. For a = 6, Arith- metic Mean = Geometric Mean. (See 1952, Problem 45.) (a+ b)/2 > Vab. VEFeaetinbaeth, Sra; ate Forallz > 0, 1 +2 < 10. © log (itz) <2 Note: This problem may be beyond the indicated scope. pada (EY, S 58 + ts — 3 = 0 = (58 — 3t)(s +0); 0 cries ts 5 tes 2 z The smallest possible value of AC + BC is obtained when C’ is the intersection of the y-axis, with the line that leads from A. to the mirror image (the mirror being the y-axis) B’:(—2, 1) of B. This is true be- cause CB’ = CB and a straight line is the shortest path between two points. The line through A and BY is ee by 5 yrs B42 aa +keae fe +k. To find k, we use the fact that the line goes through A: s-fs+h b-5-2-B-m; “. C has coordinates (0, 24).SOLUTIONS: 1954 EXAMINATION 105 50. Denoting the sides of the triangle by a,b,c we observe that a = 8+ 6 = 14, b=84+2,c=r+6. “2 =at+b+e= +B, s=x+ 4. On the one hand, the area of the triangle is half the product of the perimeter and the radius of the inscribed circle; on the other hand, it is given in terms of s so that Area = ra = 40 +14) = Vee —a)@— OG —o = Vibe + 1d) or (x + 14 = 3x(@ + 14), 2+ 14 = 8x, -. x = 7, and the shortest side is c= 6 +7 = 13; . _B B12 sin B = 2sin 5 cos 5 = 35, Using the Law of Sines, sinB_sinC 12/13 __4/5 b ce” 8+uz 64a" Thus 2 = 7. 1954. Solutions Part 1 . (6 — VF — 25)! = 25 — 10 — 25 + y' — 25 = y' — 10? — 35. 2. Since z = 1 is not a solution of the original equation, the solution set of the first equation is the number 4 only; x + 1 is the straight line = ; (x — 4) with the point (1, —4) deleted. Since the graph crosses the z-axis at (4, 0), its only root is 4.106 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 3.2 = kyy = ke; 2. = bike's" = kye"® and (C) is the correct choice. 4, 132 = 2.3-11 and 6432 = 2°-3-67. Their H.C.D. = 2*-3 = 12 and 12-8=4. dap = 4-5\/3-60 = 1504/3 (square inches). 5BAZ= 6. 2° = 1 for any number z (z #0) and —32 = —25. 1 1 4 1_1_7 wt! Va mami t sie" s 7. Let C be the original price of the dress. Then 25 = C — 2.50 or C = 27.50. 250/2750 = 1/11 ~ 9%. 8. Let_¢ be the side of the square and A the altitude of the triangle. Then Yeast hae or h/e=l. 9. (IS +A)13—1) = 16-9 = 25, r= 5. 10. Let a= b = 1. Then (1 + 1)* = 2% = 64: or 1464+ 15+ 20+ 15+6+41 = 64 11, Let S be the selling price, M the marked price and C’ the cost. Then ly 2 3e_38 2, 1 S-M-5M-3M, C-38-7-3M-5M and 10 wie 12, The system is inconsistent (see 1950, Problem 14); hence, no solution; or graphically, we have two parallel lines; or 2-38 . | 4-6|7 0; hence no solution.SOLUTIONS: 1954 EXAMINATION 107 13. 4x = (a+b +c). Thus the sum of the four angles Ss=iatb+c+tb+etd+ctd+atd+a+b) = Hat b+e+d) = §-360° = 540°. 2 1 -F toe 15. log 125 = log (1000/8) = log 1000 — log 8 = — log 2 = 3 — 3 log 2. Part 2 16. fe +h) — fle) = 5@ + hb)? — A(x + h) — 1 — (52? — 2x — 1) = l0zh + 5h? — 2h = A(10z + 5h — 2). Note: The symbolism in this problem may be beyond the indicated scope, but the problem itself is quite simple. 17. There are a number of ways of determining that (A) is the correct answer. One (obvious) way is to plot a sufficient number of points. Note: Graphs of cubies, generally, are beyond the indicated scope. 18. 22 — 3 > 7 — z. Adding z + 3 to both sides of the inequality, we 10 have 3x > 10 or z>>- 19, 4A’ = 5, 4A = 180° — a; 1 2 ZA! < 90°. Similarly, XB’ < 90°, 4" < 90°.108 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 20. By Descartes’ Rule of Signs (B) is shown to be correct; or solve to find the roots. —1, — or graph y = 2 + 62 + llr +6. 2. 2Vz + 7 = 5. Squaring, we obtain 4x + 8 +4 2 = 25. aad both sides of the equation by x and obtain 4a? — 172 + 4 = 22, Adding, we have Qt-—2-4—2_ Ax — H(x+1) Fe oe =? @+ DG — 2) @ + D@ - 2) for values of x other than 2 or —1. le, neces; «mMeatcat.* s-_S 23, 8=C +70; ne api aM ne nati ati 24, 22? — 2(k — 1) + 8 = 0. For real, equal roots, the discriminant (k — 1? — 64 = 0 and K—-1= +8. “kh =9 or -7. 25. The product of the roots is c(a — b)/a(b — c). Since one root is 1, the other is the fraction shown. 26. Let z = BD and let r be the radius of the small circle. Draw the line from the center of each of the circles to the point of contact of the tangent and the circle. By similar triangles, etr_ ctor 7 a 5 mr = 6k and nt = 7k. 3mr—nt _ 18k—7k Wk _ il "dnt = Tmr ~ 28k — 42k ~ —14k 14"SOLUTIONS: 1954 EXAMINATION 109 29. In any right triangle (see accompanying figure), we have zesat and (¢—2)c=0% Since fod. it follows that, ony ze _a@_ i P 30. Denote by a,b, ¢ the respective number of days it would take A, B,C to complete the job if he were working alone; then 1/a, 1/, 1/e denote the fractions of the job done by each in one day. Since it takes A and B together two days to do the whole job, they do half the job in one day, ie., 1 st 1 5 and similarly, 5+ Liill 202 a6 6 a 3’ 31. XBOC = 180 — }(4B + XC). But (4B + XC) = }-140 = 70. . &BOC = 110 (degrees). 32, at + 64 = (xt + 162% + 64) ~ 162? = (@ + 8)? ~ (42)? = (o + 42 + 8)" — 4 + 8). (See also 1953, Problem 18.) a=3. 33. The exact interest formula is complex. Approximately, he has the use of $59 for 1 year. 6-100/59 = 10+. . (D) is the correct choice. 34, 1/3 is the infinite repeating decimal 0.333 - 0.33333333 by the amount 0.00000000333 - Thus 1/3 is greater than 1/3-10°; or 3 # 0.38393933 = 3-107 + 3-107 + --- + 3-197 = S107 = 10") 1-10 _ 3(1 = 10%) _1_ 10° 3° 3 aie 9 3 — 10110 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK Bort VPP Rp Hhtd VF FAP a Hht+d-sz @ + ht + Qh + xt = + d+ 2? + Qhd — he — dz, Bhe + dx = hd; c= hd/(2h + a). Part 3 2 1,1 40 2 _ 40/3 _8 36. = a5 tig = go ABT TG 7g” (See Also 1951, Problem 39.) 37. Am= Apt Ad, Ad = Xq— Am (there are two vertical angles each Am) «km = Apt XAq- Am; Am = Ap + Aq). 38. 37-3 = 135; Bt = 5; 2. elog3 = log 5 = log (10/2) = log 10 — log 2. 2. 2 = (1 — 0.3010)/0.4771 ~ 1.47. 39. Let PA be any line segment through P such that A lies on the given cirele with center O and radius r. Let A’ be the midpoint of PA and let O" be the midpoint of PO. To see that the required locus is a circle with center OQ’ and radius }r, consider the similar triangles POA and PO'A’. For any point A on the given circle, 0'A’ = 404 = }r. <.(B) is the correct. choice. ag l_ 1" 1\_ _ _ 4.4 = (a4) (a4!) = avi 3V3 = 0. 41, 8 = — (-8/4) = 2; or find one root, —3, by trial. The reduced equation is 4z* — 202 — 3 = 0, where the sum of the roots is 5. ie S=5-3=2 42, From the graphs, or from a consideration of the positions of the lowest points, it is found that (D) is the correct answer. (See 1950, Problem 41.)SOLUTIONS: 1954 EXAMINATION ur 43.¢c =a—r+b—r (see 1950, Problem 35). 10 =a+b — 2; »P=atbt+e= 1042410 = 22. 44, We seek an integer whose square is between 1800 and 1850. There is one, and only one, such integer, namely 1849 = 43%... 1849 — 43 = 1806, the year of birth; or let_y be an integer between 0 and 50. . 1800 + y + z = 2%. For x tobe integral, the discriminant 1 + 7200 + 4y must be an odd square. The value y = 6 makes the discriminant 7225 = 85. The year of birth is, therefore, 1800 + 6 = 1806. 45. Let d denote the distance from A measured along AC and let (4) denote the length of the segment parallel to BD and d units from A. ‘Then by similar triangles, we have: For a < 4€, (1/2)t _ (1/2) BD a (1/2)aC’ or | = 2kd where k = AC Fe >a For d2, (1/2) BD 7 aa =, or | = 2k(AC — d) = —2kd + 2kAC, @ (1/2) AC » The graph of 1 asa function of d evidently is linear in d. Its slope 2k is positive for d < AC/2; its slope —2k is negative for d > AC/2. Hence (D) is the correct choice. a/2yt AC 46. The distance from the center of the circle to the intersection point of the tangents is 3/8. 47. Sine WE = VE SM ap = an + iF = PE VERA ang TB - AB - AT = pave nae The required equation is, therefore, z* — pr + ¢ = 0.12 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 48. Let x be the distance from the point of the accident to the end of the trip and R the former rate of the train. Then the normal time for the trip, in hours, is z+R th, Considering the time for each trip, we have 2tR 145+ geet oe t83 and t+R 1+? +3 5+ tame m —p +3. ae HO and B= 0 ©. the trip is 540 + 60 = 600 (miles). 49. (2a + 1)? — (2b + 1)? = 4a? + 4a + 1 — 4b* - 4b - 1 = 4fa(a + 1) — 16 + 1) Since the product of two consecutive integers is divisible by 2, the last expression is divisible by 8. 50. 210 + z — 12x = 84; 2. lle = 126; “© = 126/11, 126-60/11-30 ~ 23 and 210 + z + 84 = 127; Lz = 204 & = 204/11, 204-60/11-30 ~ 53. ©. the times are 7:23 and 7:53. 1955 Solutions Part 1 1. 3 = 375; + 3-10-* = 0.000000875. +. (D) is the correct choice. 2 25 ane — 19740 = 197° a0’ 2. 150° — 5 -30° = 137° = 137° 30", 3. Let A be the arithmetic mean of the original numbers. Then their sum is 10A and A(new) = (10A + 200)/10 = A + 20. -. (B) is the correct choice. » . Multiplying both sides of the equation by (x — 1)(z — 2), we have @&-2=xc2-2 a2 =0. 5. y = k/2*, 16 = k/l, k = 16; “y = 16/2, y = 16/8-8 = 1/4; or wy = 2i/zt, 16/yn = 8/1; ye = 1/4.© ll. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. SOLUTIONS: 1955 EXAMINATION 3. Let n be the number bought at each price, and z be the selling price of each, 2nz = (10n/3) + 4n; « = 11/3, that is, 3 for 11 cents. W. = Wi — Wi/5 = 4W,/5. -. Wi = 5W,/4. The increase needed is W2/4 or 25% of We. . a — ay? = (x + 2y)(@—2y)= 0; w+ 2y=0 and x — =O. Each of these equations represents a straight line. This is a right triangle. For any right triangle it can be shown (see 1950, Problem 35) that a-rtb—-r=c ~M%=atb-c=8415—-17=6 and r= 3. ). The train is moving for x hours and is at rest for nm minutes or 2M pours, 3. 4 1M 3a + Omn 60 “40° 60 120 The negation is: It is false that no slow learners attend this school. There- fore, some slow learners attend this school. Vie =1 =2— Vza, and 52-1 =4-4Vz2—142-1. 40-4 = 4/2 —1, 2-1 = —Vz—1. Squaring again, we get e-Wwtl|ez—l, 2-34+2=0, 2=1or2 Since 2 does not satisfy the original equation, we have one root, z = 1. (a* + b*)(a* — 6) SF RF =a* +b ‘The dimensions of R are 1.ls and 0.98; its area is 0.903%. <. R/S = 998%/s* = 99/100. Let_x be the radius of the larger circle. Then x12/x2? = 1/3, 2 = r9/3, 1VB — 2 = (V3 — 1) ~ 0.73r. Part 2 When a = 4 and b = --4, a+b = 0. Therefore, the expression becomes meaningless for these values. logz — 5 log3 = log (2/3); 107? = 2/3; we = 2.43, For real coefficients a zero discriminant implies that the roots are real and equal.4 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 19. The numbers are 7 and —1; the required equation is, therefore, e-—6r+7=0. 20. The expression »/25—@ + 5 can never equal zero, since it is the sum of 5 and a non-negative number. (By +/25 — f we mean the positive square root.) ~. (A) is the correct choice. 21. Since the = A, h = 2A/c. 22, Since a single discount D, equal to three successive discounts Di, Ds, and Dy, is D = Dy + D, + Dy — DD: — DsDy — DD, + DDD; (see also 1950, Problem 22), then the choices are: 20 + .20 + .10 — .04 — 02 — 02 + .004 = 424 and 40 + .05 + .05 — .02 — .02 — .0025 + .001 = .4585. The saving is .0345-10,000 = 345 (dollars). 23. The counted amount in cents is 25g + 10d + 5n + c. The correct amount is 25(q — z) + 10(d + 2) + 5(n + z) + (c — x). The dif- ference is —25¢ + 102 + 52 — 2 = —Llz. -. Lz cents should be subtracted. 24. The graph of y = 4z* — 12x — 1 isa vertical parabola opening upward with the turning point (a minimum) at (3/2, —10). (See 1950, Problem 41); or algebraically, the turning point occurs at z= —b/2a = —(—12/8) = 3/2, For this value of z, y = 4a* — 122 — 1 = —10. 25. xt + Qe? + 9 = (xt + Gxt + 9) — (424) = (2? + 3)? — (22)? = (2? — 2x + 3)(2? + 2x + 3). + @) is the correct choice. 26. See 1951, Problem 5. 27. + et = (+ 8)! — Dre = pt — 2. 28, For x #0, azt + br -+ cx axt — br +e; for x = 0, ax? + br +c = ax?— br +e. -. There is one intersection point (0, c); -. (E) is the correct choice,SOLUTIONS: 1955 EXAMINATION 115 29, First, draw the line connecting P and R and denote its other inter- sections with the circles by M and N; see accompanying figure. The ares MR and NR contain the same number of degrees; so we may denote each are by x. To verify this, note that we have two isosceles triangles with a base angle of one equal to a base angle of the other. 2 4NOR =%.MO'R. AAPR = Ei(eta+e-2) ~ a) = } [20-2] BPR =1{b+d+a—(-2} =) {ad+a} 2 2 and the sum of angles APR and BPR is 4&BPA =c+d. ‘The desired angle is 360° — XBPA = 360° — (¢ + @) = (180° — c) + (180° — d) =atb. 30. The real roots are, respectively: +3; 0 and 2/3; and 3. the correct choice. (B) is 31. Let Ai and Az denote the areas of the small and the original triangle, respectively. The median m_ of the trapezoid is the arithmetic mean of the parallel sides, that is, m = 4(b + 2), where b denotes the shorter To find 6, observe that =; nba va and ma} (Vi42). parallel side of the trapezoi A _ 32. D = 4b* — 4ac 0; b-ac=0; R= a0, a/b = bc.16 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 33. Let x be the number of degrees the hour hand moves in the time in- terval between 8 a.m. and the beginning of the trip, and let y be the number of degrees it moves between 2 p.m. and the end of the trip. The number of degrees traversed by the minute hand during these intervals is 240 + 2 and 60 + y + 180, respectively. Since the minute hand traverses 12 times as many degrees as the hour hand in any given interval, we have 12n = 240 + 2, v= A and 12y = 60 + y + 180, y= 7 that is, the hour hand is just as many degrees past the 8 at the beginning as it is past the 2 at the end of the trip. Since the 8 and the 2 are 180° apart, the initial and final positions of the hour hand differ also by 180°, so that (A) is the correct choice. 34. The shortest length consists of the two external tangents { and the two circular ares 1, and i:. t= 6V3, 2 = 1273, = a 2-3 = De, = 2 Ong = Ie. c.length = 124/3 + l4x 35. The first boy takes 3+ 1 marbles, leaving 5 ~1 marbles. The second boy takes 5 ¢ - 1). ‘The third boy, with twice as many, must necessarily have 23 - 1), so that n is indeterminate; ie. n may be any even integer of the form 2+ 6a, with a = 0, 1,2, 36. The area of the rectangular surface is 10-22 = 40. we =2 and y = V5; «. the depth is 3 — 5, or 3+ V5. 37. The original number is 100k + 10 + u. The number with digits re- versed is 100u + 10! + h. (Since h > u, to subtract we must add 10 to u, ete.) ©. 100(h — 1) + 10 + 9) + u+ 10 100u + 108 th 100(h — 1 —u) +90 + 104+ u— Since 10+ u—h = 4, h-1—u=5 and therefore, the digits from right to left are 9 and 5, LLLZZ"40. 4] 42. +5 +a SOLUTIONS: 1955 EXAMINATION 7 Solving the system: Mat bt+e)+d=29 Mb+e+d) +a Hetd+a)+b Ad+a+b)+e we obtain a = 12, b = 9, ¢ = 3, d = 21. Thus (B) is the correct choice. The least value occurs when x = —p/2. For t = —p/2, y= (-p/4)+¢=0; -¢ = p/4 Gee 1950, Problem 41.) A non-unit fraction b/d is changed in value by the addition of the same non-zero quantity x to the numerator and denominator. ~. (A) is the correct choice. a-Rk G/)R (See also 1954, Problem 48.) b_ 6 b_ ab if at bm ag/® then atm od, ac = Wa —1); 6 = baat — 1)/a. y= (+1)? and y@ +1 =1; - @ +12 = 1/@ +41); and . (c + 1)* = 1. This last equation has one real and two imaginary roots. .. (E) is the correct choice. d-R-®& 80,1 wltltetat “ape 3 oR = 20. . % OBA = 2y; +. XOAB = 2%y; and 1 = XOABt y = By. . Let the two series be a, ar, ar?,--- and 0,d, 2d,---. a+0=1; sa=Land r+d=1, P+ 2d =2. S. = 210+ (n— Da) = Blo + 9-11 = 45. oS = 1023 — 45 = 978. We are required to solve the system of equations: 2r + 3y = 6 4c — By = 6 y=t. Solve the first two simultaneously, obtaining z = 2, y = 2/3. Since these results are consistent with the last two equations, the solution is (2, 2/3) and (B) is the correct choice.11g THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 47. For the equality a + be = a? + ab + ac + be to hold, we must have a=a+ab+ac or l=a+b+e 48. (A) is true because FH is parallel and equal to AE. (C) is true be- cause when HE, which is parallel to CA, is extended, it meets AB in D; DC and BH are corresponding sides of congruent triangles ACD and HDB. (D) is true because FG = FE + EG = AD + 3DB = 4B. (E) is true because G is the midpoint of HB. (FE is parallel to AB and E is the midpoint of CB.) (B) cannot be proved from the given information. Challenge: What additional information is needed to prove (B)? 49. Since y = (2? — 4)/(e — 2) = (@ — 2)(x + 2)/(e — 2) = x +2 (for 22, ie. y #4), then y = (2? — 4)/(c — 2) isa straight line with the point (2, 4) deleted. The straight line y = 2z crosses the first line in the deleted point. «. (C) is the correct choice. 50. Let r be the increase in the rate of A and d be the distance (in miles) A travels to pass B safely. The times traveled by A, B and C are equal: @__ _ d— (30/5280) | d — (30/5280) __ (210/5280) — d > 50+r 40 , 40 Solve the second equation for d. d = 110/5280 miles. Solve the first equation for r, -. r = 5 mph. 1956 Solutions Part 1 1, 2+ 22) = 248 = 10. 2.8, = Ci + 3Ci and S, = Cy — 32. 7 Cy = $8, = 1.00 and C2 = $82 = 1.50. Si + Sp = 2.40 and C, + Cr = 2.50; “ (D) is the correct choice. 3. 5,870,000,000,000 = 587-10'%, (587-10)100 = 587-10". 1. x Around a given circle can be placed exactly six circles each equal to the given circle, tangent to it, and tangent to two others. The are between two successive points of contact of the given circle and the outside circles is one-sixth of the circumference. 1 zx 4000 + 5 - 9500 + 57, - 2500 = 500, 25x = 160, x = 64. CaSOLUTIONS: 1956 EXAMINATION 19 6. Let a be the number of cows and b the number of chickens. Then 4a + 2b is the total number of legs and 4a + 2b = 14+ 2(a +), 2a = 14, a = 7 (cows). Note: The number of chickens is indeterminate. x For reciprocal roots, the product of the roots c/a = 1. .¢ =a. 88-2 = 5 2 = 59-1, A3+2=0 and z= -3. Note: 2° = 5°, but, otherwise, 2* > 5°. sara, aura — Gta? = gt 9. ahi gi =a-a =a’ 10. % ADB = 4% ACB = 30°. Ld. + v3) ~ v3) = 1.0 ~ V3) 41+ V8) yg , a+ -V3)0 — V3) . 13. y — 2 is the excess of y over z. The basis of comparison is the ratio of the excess to y, namely, (y — 2)/y. Therefore, the per cent required is 100(y — 2)/y. 14. PB-PC = PA®. PB(PB + 20) = 300; -. PB = 10. 15. Multiply both sides of the equation by 2* — 4 = (x + 2)(x — 2). 15-2%e+2)=2-4; at+2r— 15 = 0; and —5 or z = 3. Each of these roots satisfies the original equation. 16. Let 10m, 15m, 24m be the three numbers. Then 10m + 15m + 24m = 98, m=? and lim = 30. A(ax—3)+B(e+2)__ Se -U | (e + 2)(2r — 3) Qt +2 —6" A(2r — 3) + B(x + 2) = 5x — 11. Equating the coefficients of like powers of x, we obtain2A + B = 5, -344+2B=-11, «A=3, B=-1, 18. 10% = 5%, 10¥ = 5, 10-” = 1/10" = 1/5. 19. Let the height in each case be 1. 1 — }f = 2(1 — 44);120 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK =2; slog 2) = rlog 7, = 2(log 2 — log 10) = og 2 0.3010 = g3010 —1 ~ ~* 21, Each line has 1 or 2 intersection points. Therefore, for both lines, there may be 2, 3, or 4 intersection points. 22. = 50/r, te = 300/3r = 100/r = 24; —_~. (B) is the correct choice. 23. Each of the roots is »/2/a. Since a is real, (C) is necessarily the correct choice. 24. Let XDAE = a. Then XBCA = 4(180 — 30 — a) = 75 — (a/2) and 4DEA = }(180 — a) = 90 — (@/2) = XADE. a+ XADE + 2+ XBCA = 180; . & = 15 (degrees). 2 e=3+S+TH + Ont 1) =FB+ Mt 1) = nln +2). 26. Combination (A) determines the shape of the triangle, but not its size. Alll the other combinations determine both the size and the shape of the triangle. 27. The two triangles are similar and hence A(new)/A(old) = (2s)*/s* = 4. 2 (C) is the correct: choice. 28. Let 4x be the daughter’s share, 32 the son’s share. Then 4x + 3x = estate and 6z + 500 =} estate. «7 = 6x + 500; + 2= 500; and — -. 13x + 500 = 7000 (dollars). 29, at + y? = 25 isa circle with center at the origin. zy = 12 isa hyperbola, symmetric with respect to the line z = y. _~. points of intersection are symmetric with respect to x = y. There are either no intersections, two intersections (if the hyperbola is tangent to the circle) or four inter- sections. Simultaneous solution of the equations reveals that there are four points of intersection, and that they determine a rectangle. 8 os. PV3 _ 4 V3 _ 6/3 30. b= 5 V3i va Ang pte teva 31. 20 = 1-4% + 1-44 + 0-49; .. the required number is 110,; or 20 + 4 yields 5 and remainder 0; 5 + 4 yields 1 and remainder 1; J+ 20 becomes 1104.32. 33. 36. SOLUTIONS: 1956 EXAMINATION 121 After 1} minutes each was in the center of the pool. After 3 minutes they were at opposite ends of the pool. After 44 minutes each was again in the center of the pool. It can be shownt that +/2 is not a rational number. It can also be shownf that repeating non-terminating decimals represent rational num- bers, and terminating decimals clearly represent rational numbers with a power of 10 in the denominator. Hence a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal is the only possibility for representing . By considering the special case n = 2 we immediately rule out choices (B), (C), (D), and (E). We now show that (A) holds. n(n? — 1) = n{(n — 1)n(n + 1)] = nk, where k is a product of three consecutive integers, hence always divisible by 3. If iseven, & is divisible also by 2 (since isa factor of K), hence by 6, and nk by 12; if n is odd, k is divisible also by 4 (since the even numbers n — 1 and n+ 1 are factors of k), hence by 12. A = 16-83 = 128 3. S = K(K + 1)/2 = N*. The possible values for N* are 12, 2, 3%,---, 99, For K to be integral, the discriminant 1 + 8N* of the equation K? + K — 2N? = 0 must be a perfect square. This fact reduces the possible values for N? to 1*, 6%, and 35%, Hence the values of K are 1, 8, and 49. Note: There are ways of shortening the number of trials for N* still further, but these involve a knowledge of number-theoretic theorems. ‘The shortest way to do this problem is by testing the choices given. The diagonal divides the rhombus into two equilateral triangles. A (thombus) = 2-8: 4 =2- Gnervs, Since the map scale is 400 miles to 1} inches, 1 inch represents $-400 miles and 1 square inch represents a: ;100)* square miles. The area of the estate is thus 2-3/3 _ 800° Tan “gr 7 1250 -V3 (square miles). +t See, e.g., Ivan Niven, Numbers: Rational and Irrational, also in this series.122 THE CONTEST PROBLEM BOOK 38. The segments of the hypotenuse are ¢ and g (sce 1954, Problem 29). Using similar triangles, z= Mle z re + co a@ye and 39. Pee@—-a@ece—-(—1f=%-l=c+ce—1l=c+a; or =(@+ 1t-@=%Mt1=at lt+a=cta; or b= ea = (e+ aXe—a) =c+a since c—a=1. 40.28 = gi +2Vot; Vt=gl+ Vol; 28 —Vt= Vot;and —s_, V+’ V+ Vo" 41. Since y = 2x, 3y*+ y+ 4 = 1227 + 2x + 4. we l2et $ Qe $4 = 1+ 4 $4; 2 Qe = 4a; vet i= Ve-B- 1b etd —3 —2VvE—3 415 = —+/z—3. Thisis impossible since the left side is positive while the right side is negative. 43. Let the largest side be c. Then a+b +c < 12, Butc ax and ar >a’. “2 >ar>a. 1 mile 1mile 1 mile 1/2 45. M= 1 Ne = > 7M = =D AD — cian 8? * DID-(U/2\