AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solutions to AMO 2016 Secondary 1 (Grade 7)

Question 1
Fully simplify using the order of operations: 15 − 16 ÷ 8 × 2 + 6.
Solution:
Strategy: Use the correct order of operations.
Using order of operations, start from the left checking for parentheses and then
exponents. Since there are none, search for division and multiplication (since
they belong to the same order). Follow the left to right rule, so first, divide 16
by 8 to get 2 and then multiply that result by 2 to get 4. Now perform the
addition and subtract working from left to right: 15 − 4 + 6 = 11 + 6 = 𝟏𝟕.

Question 2
How much greater is the least 3-digit prime than the greatest 2-digit prime?
Solution:
Strategy: Test odd numbers near 100.
The number 99 is not prime since it has a factor of 3. The next odd 2-digit
number to test is 97, which is prime. The first 3-digit number to test is 101,
which is prime.
Their positive difference is 101 – 97 = 4.

Question 3
The number 20,000,100 may be expressed in expanded form as (2 × 10x ) +
(1 × 10y ). Evaluate the expression y(100 + x) + 1.
Solution:
Strategy: Separate 20,000,100 using exponents.
20,000,100 = 20,000,000 + 100 = 2 × 107 + 1 × 102 . Then x = 7 and y = 2.
It follows that y(100 + x) + 1 = 2(100 + 7) + 1 = 2(107) + 1 = 𝟐𝟏𝟓.

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 4
The pattern of 6 individual figures shown below repeats indefinitely to form a
sequence.

1 2 3 4 5 6
What is the 2015th figure in the sequence?
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Observe the repeating pattern.
Since the sequence is repeated every 6 figures and 2015 ÷ 6 = 338 with a

remainder of 5, the fifth symbol in the sequence, , will be the 2015th figure.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Apply the divisibility rule for 6.

The sequence has a pattern of six figures. We are looking for the 2015th term of
the sequence. Since 2015 is not even and the sum of the digits is 8, 2015 is not
divisible by 6. However, 2016 is divisible by 6 since the sum of the digits is 9
and the number is even. Therefore, the 2016th term in the sequence would be

. The 2015th term would be the figure before which would be .

Question 5
Given the cube is shown at the right. An ant travels from vertex
A to vertex B, always walking along an edge of the cube. How
many shortest paths are there from A to B?
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Deform the cube and list all the possible paths.
The shortest path for the ant to get from A to B consists of 3 edges. The
list of all possible paths of length 3 is: ACEB, ACDB, AFDB, AFGB, AHGB
and AHEB. Thus there are exactly 6 shortest paths from A to B.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Count the paths based upon direction.

The shortest path from A to B consists of 3 steps: one right, one up, and one
backward. Select any one of the 3 ways to start. Then there are only 2 ways

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

left and then 1 way to complete the path. Therefore, the number of different
paths will be
3 × 2 × 1 = 𝟔.

Question 6
Each of the seven digits 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 is placed, one to a box, to form
the two-digit and three-digit arithmetic problem shown. Find the least value of
integer N such that
N = 83 + □□□ − (□□ + □□).
Solution:
Strategy: Create the smallest three-digit number and largest sum.
The smallest three-digit number is 124. The largest sum is formed from 96 +
75 = 95 + 76 = 171. In either case, the least value of N is 83 + 124 − 171 =
𝟑𝟔.

Question 7
Milk is poured from a full pitcher into an empty glass until both pitcher and
4
glass are full. If the capacity of the pitcher is 40 ounces of liquid, how many
5

more ounces of milk are needed to fill the glass?

Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use algebra.
1 4
Represent the fact that of the pitcher fills of the glass with the equation
5 5
P 4G
= . Multiply both sides by 5 to get P = 4G or 1 pitcher = 4 glasses.
5 5

Substitute 40 ounces for 1 pitcher to get 40 ounces = 4 glasses. Divide both

4
sides by 4 to get that 10 ounces fills 1 glass. Since the glass is full it already
5
4
has (5) of 10 ounces or 8 ounces. It needs 10 – 8 = 2 additional ounces to be

full.

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

METHOD 2: Strategy: Find the amount of milk transferred initially.

4 1 1
Since the 40-ounce pitcher is full, it is also empty and of 40 is 8. These 8
5 5 5
4 1 4 1
ounces fills of the glass with left to fill. One quarter of is 5, and one quarter
5 5 5

of 8 is 2. Thus 2 ounces must be added to fill the glass.

Question 8
The pyramid shown has 7 vertices, 12 edges, and 7 faces (one of
which is a hexagon). At least one of the edges on each of the
faces is to be colored red. What will be the least number of edges
colored red?
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Apply mathematical reasoning.
There are six triangular faces. If three edges are colored red, each bordering on
two triangles, and no two edges of any triangle are colored red, the hexagon
would not have an edge colored red. So, if one of the edges of the hexagon is
colored red, we have a total of 4 edges colored red. The least number of edges
colored red is 4.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Deform the pyramid and consider a “top” view.

Looking down from the top you can see the hexagon and the six triangles.
One possible coloring that would color at least one edge of each of the
triangles and the hexagon can be seen in the diagram. Only 4 edges need
to be colored red.

Question 9
A rug is in the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides of length 10 feet. The
rug is entirely composed of 100 equilateral triangular patches with sides of
length 1 foot. How many of the smaller patches have one or more of their sides
on the perimeter of the large rug?

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Draw a diagram and examine the
triangular patches along each side.
There are 10 patches along each edge of the triangle for a total
of 30 patches. However, each corner of the rug would be
counted twice since they touch two sides of the rug. Thus there are 30 – 3 =
27 patches that have one or more sides on the perimeter of the rug.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Count the number of shaded triangles in

the diagram.
See the diagram. No further explanation necessary.

Question 10
1 1
Suppose x = + 2 and y = − 4. Select the number of the expression having the
numerically greatest result:
(1) x + y (2) x 2 − y (3) x 2 + y (4) x − y (5) y − x.
Solution:
Strategy: Evaluate each of the five expressions.
1 1 1 1 2 1 1
(1) x + y = 2 + (− 4) = 4 (2) x 2 − y = (2) − (− 4) = 2

1 2 1 1 1 3
(3) x 2 + y = (2) + (− 4) = 0 (4) x − y = 2 − (− 4) = 4
1 1 3
(5) y − x = (− 4) − 2 = − 4

Thus (4) has the greatest value.

Question 11
The first five “pentagonal numbers” are:
1, 5, 12, 22 and 35 as shown by the
number of dots in the diagrams at the
right. What is the 9th pentagonal
number?
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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Examine successive differences and look for a pattern.

1 5 12 22 35 51 70 92 117

4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25
Notice that successive differences increase by 3. Add the proper next
successive difference to the previous pentagonal number to obtain the next
pentagonal number. The 9th pentagonal number equals 117.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Use the diagram.

Pentagonal number n adds 5(𝑛 − 1) points along the
edges to the previous pentagonal number. However,
some of these points overlap existing points. For
example, the third pentagonal number adds a
pentagon with edge length 2 to the first pentagon. This
means that 5(3 − 1) = 10 points are added to the previous diagram with 5
points. However, 3 of the new points overlap with the previous points so we
end up with
5 + 10 − 3 = 12 as the third pentagonal number. The overlap in the fourth
diagram (𝑛 = 4) is 5. The overlap in the fifth diagram (𝑛 = 5) is 7. In general,
the overlap is 2𝑛 − 3. Therefore, to get the nth pentagonal number take the
previous number, add 5(𝑛 − 1) and then subtract 2𝑛 − 3. The sixth pentagonal
number = 35 + 5(6 − 1) − (2(6) − 3) = 35 + 25 − 9 = 51. Continue using the
previous value to get the ninth number which is 117.

Question 12
Find the sum of the digits in the product of: 1001 × 1001 × 1001.
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Multiply two numbers at a time.
Multiply the first two terms to get 1001 × 1001 = 1002001. Multiply this result
by 1001. The final result is 1001 × 1002001 = 1003003001. The sum of the
digits is 8.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Rewrite 1001 and apply the distributive property.

Rewrite
1001 × 1001 × 1001
= (1000 + 1) × (1000 + 1) × (1000 + 1)
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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

= (103 + 1) × (103 + 1) × (103 + 1)

= (103 + 1)(106 + 2 × 103 + 1)
= 103 (106 + 2 × 103 + 1) + 1(106 + 2 × 103 + 1)
= 109 + 2 × 106 + 103 + 106 + 2 × 103 + 1
= 109 + 3 × 106 + 3 × 103 + 1
= 1,003,003,001

Question 13
Yevgeny was born on August 24, . On August 25, 2015, he was in
the sixth year of his seventh decade of life. What is the sum of digits of his year
of birth?
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Count the number of decades first.
The first decade of life is years 0 to 10 years. The second decade is 10 to 20
years. The third decade is 20 to 30 years and so on. That makes the seventh
decade of life 60 to 70 years. Since Yevgeny is in the sixth year of the seventh
decade he is 65 years old. Working backwards would make the year he was
born 1950. So the sum of digits of his year of birth is 1 + 9 + 5 + 0 = 𝟏𝟓.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Compute the age directly.

On August 25, 2015, Yevgeny was 2015 – ABCD years old, where ABCD is the
4-digit year of his birth. Deciphering the language in the second statement, on
August 25, 2015, he was 65 years old. Since a person of age n is living in their
(𝑛 + 1)th year, he was born in 2015 − 65 = 1950. Then the sum of digits of his
year of birth is 1 + 9 + 5 + 0 = 𝟏𝟓.

Question 14
A ski resort has three pricing options: $60 for just a lift ticket, $20 for just a ski
lesson, or $70 when both are bought together. On Sunday, 50 people bought
exactly one of the three options. If 42 lift tickets and 23 lessons were sold,
what was the mean or average purchase amount in dollars for these 50 people?
(Round your answer to a nearest whole number)

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Find the number of people in each category.
Since 50 people purchased 42 + 23 = 65 items, 15 people must have purchased
both a ticket and a lesson. Then 42 − 15 = 27 people purchased just a lift ticket
and 23 − 15 = 8 people purchased just a lesson. The total paid was
(15 × $70) + (27 × $60) + (8 × $20) = $2,830.
The mean purchase amount for the 50 customers was $2,830 ÷ 50 = $56.60 ≈
$𝟓𝟕.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Treat the third option as a discount.

The lift tickets brought in 42 × $60 = $2520 and the lessons brought in
23 × $20 = $460. However, 15 people received a discount of $10 for
purchasing both items. Thus the resort grossed $2520 + $460 − $150 = $2830.
The mean purchase for the 50 customers was $56.60 ≈ $𝟓𝟕.
Question 15
Find the whole number value of N when 132 + 2 × 13 × N + N2 = 182 .
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Factor algebraic expressions of the form 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 .
Consider that (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2. Therefore, 132 + 2 × 13 × N + N2 =
(13 + N)2 = 182 .

It follows that 13 + N = 18 or 13 + N = – 18. Since N must be a whole number

𝑁 = 𝟓.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Multiply and combine like terms.

132 + 2 × 13 × N + N2 = 169 + 26N + N2 = 324. Subtract 169 from each side of
the equation: 26N + N 2 = 155. Factor each side of the equation N(26 + N) =
5 × 31.
Since N is less than 26 + 𝑁, 𝑁 = 𝟓.

Question 16
The squares of two consecutive whole numbers differ by forty-five. Find the
lesser whole number.

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use algebra.
Let n = the smaller number so n + 1 = the next consecutive number. Then
(n + 1)2 − n2 = 45 → n2 + 2n + 1 − n2 = 45 → 2n + 1 = 45 → 2n = 44 → n =
𝟐𝟐. Notice that the difference of the squares is the same as (n + 1) + n, the
sum of the two numbers that are squared. That is (n + 1)2 − n2 = (n + 1) + n.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Look for a pattern in the differences of perfect squares.

Consecutive numbers
Difference of squares
squared

12 = 1 1–0=1

22 = 4 4–1=3

32 = 9 9–4=5

42 = 16 16 – 9 = 7

Notice that consecutive squares differ by consecutive odd integers. The first
difference is 1, the second is 3, the third is 5 and so on so the nth difference is
2n − 1. The larger of the two numbers whose squares differ by 45 is the
solution to 2n − 1 = 45 which is n = 23. The smaller number one is 22. Check
that 232 − 222 = 529 − 484 = 𝟒𝟓.

Question 17
Sixteen players enter a chess tournament which offers a prize to the winner in
each of an upper section and a lower section. Winners of the matches in round
one are placed in the upper section. The players who lose matches in round
one are placed in the lower section. From this point onward, players only play
those opponents in their own section and are eliminated from receiving a prize
after their next loss. If there are no ties, how many matches are played in the
tournament?
Solution:
Strategy: Consider “round one” and then consider the remaining rounds.
In round one, 8 games are played to determine which players are in each
section. Within each of the lower and upper sections, 7 of the 8 players will be
eliminated in exactly 7 games, leaving a section winner. In total, there are 8 +
7 + 7 = 𝟐𝟐 games.
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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 18
A rectangular box is 7 𝑐𝑚 × 10 𝑐𝑚 × 10 𝑐𝑚. Point A is a vertex, A
and point B is the center of the front face as shown. Find the 10
number of centimeters in the shortest distance from A to B B
along the surface of the box. 7
10
Solution:
Strategy: Open the right side of the cube and apply the Pythagorean theorem.
Consider two adjacent faces that include B and A. Flatten them out to form a
rectangle with known lengths. The shortest distance from A to B is the length of
the straight line connecting the points. Since B is in the center of the front
square face, the length BC is 5 + 7 = 12 and AC = 5. The Pythagorean theorem
can be used to find AB: AB2 = 52 + 122 = 25 + 144 = 169 so AB = 𝟏𝟑.
*It is better to draw the figure for solution.

Question 19
Suppose 2x − 3y = 10 and 4x − 5y + z = 37. Find the whole number value of
y + z.
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use elimination.
The goal is to find y + z. Look at the two given equations. If the first equation is
doubled and the result subtracted from the second equation the left side is
exactly what was requested in the problem. 2(2x − 3y = 10)→ 4x − 6y = 20.
Then (4x − 5y + z = 37) − (4x − 6y = 20)→ y + z = 𝟏𝟕.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Use substitution.

Solve for x in the first equation by adding 3y to both sides of the equation and
then divide by 2. Then 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 10 → 𝑥 = (10 + 3𝑦) ÷ 2. Substitute this value
for x in the second equation to get
10 + 3y
4( ) − 5y + z = 37
2
2(10 + 3y) − 5y + z = 37
20 + 6y − 5y + z = 37
y + z = 𝟏𝟕.

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

METHOD 3: Strategy: If a statement is true for all values then it is true for any
value.
Select values for x and y that make the first equation true. For example, when x
= 5, y = 0. Substitute these into the second equation and solve for z, z = 17.
Therefore, y + z = 0 + 17 = 𝟏𝟕.

Question 20
17 B C D
Find the least whole number value of B + C + D so that = 3 + 9 + 18 satisfies
18
the two conditions:
(1) Each of B, C and D are positive whole numbers, and
B C D
(2) Each of the fractions 3 , and 18 is in lowest terms.
9

Solution:
Strategy: Find a common denominator and make a chart.
17 B C D
The least common denominator for the fractions is 18 so = 3 + 9 + 18.
18
Therefore, 17 = 6B + 2C + D.

B C D Notes
9 1
1 1 9 = 2; not in lowest terms
18

1 2 7 B + C + D = 10
3 1
1 3 5 = 3; not in lowest terms
9

3 1
1 4 3 = 6; not in lowest terms
18

1 5 1 B+C+D=7
3 1
2 1 3 = 6; not in lowest terms
18

2 2 1 B+C+D=5

The least whole number sum for B + C + D is 5.

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 21
How many of the first 10,000 positive integers contain the digit-pair “43” in that
order?
Solution:
Strategy: Count the number of instances of 43 by considering cases.
Case I: The only 2-digit number is 43 [1 solution].
Case II: 3-digit numbers
(a) Numbers of the form X43 where X may be any digit 1 through 9 [9
solutions].
(b) Numbers of the form 43X where X can be any digit 0 through 9 [10
solutions].
Case III: 4-digit numbers
(a) Numbers of the form 43XY, X and Y may be any digits 0 through 9 [10  10
= 100 solutions].
(b) Numbers of the form X43Y, X cannot be 0 but Y can be 0 [9  10 = 90
solutions].
(c) Numbers of the form XY43, X cannot be 0 but Y can be 0 but XY cannot be
43 since that was already counted in case III (a). [9  10 – 1 = 89 solutions].
There are no cases of single digit or five digit numbers.
Altogether, there are 1 + 9 + 10 + 100 + 90 + 89 = 299 solutions.

Question 22
Each of 1000 ping-pong balls is labeled with exactly one of the counting
numbers 1, 2, 3, …, 998, 999, 1000. Each ball has a different number. If the
ping-pong balls are selected at random, what is the fewest number that must
be selected and set aside to be certain that the sum of the numbers on two of
the selected ping-pong balls will equal 1005?
Solution:
Strategy: Determine which numbers in the set CANNOT be selected.
The only “partner” for 1000 in the set is 5. The only partner for 999 is 6. The
only partner for 998 is 7. This pattern continues but five numbers (1, 2, 3 and
4) have no distinct partners. Thus only 1000 – 4 = 996 numbers can be
selected. They form 498 pairs of numbers. When one number is selected from
each of the 498 pairs there will be no pair of numbers whose sum is 1005. Even
when we add in the 4 numbers that have no pairs (498 + 4 = 502) we will not
have a pair whose sum is 1005. But, when the next number gets added to this
group, it must pair up with one of the 498 numbers that sum to 1005. Thus 502

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

+ 1 = 503 numbers selected from the original set of numbers guarantees at

least one pair will sum to 1005.

Question 23
A square floor is completely covered with non-overlapping 1  1 white and 1 
1 black square tiles. The tiles along the two longest diagonals are black, while
the remaining tiles are white. How many white tiles are there, if the completed
floor contains 41 black tiles?
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Determine the number of tiles in each diagonal.
Since the diagonals consist of 41 black tiles, each diagonal contains 21 tiles (the
middle tile, and the remaining 40 divided by 2). Since the diagonals contain 21
tiles, each side of the floor has 21 tiles. The area (the total number of tiles) of
the 21 by 21 floor is 441 tiles. The number of white tiles is 441 − 41 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎.

METHOD 2: Strategy: Make a table and find a pattern.

Black Squares Area White Squares Notice that
5+1
= 3,
9+1
= 5,
2 2
13+1 17+1
= 7, and = 9.
2 2
Therefore, if we have 41
5 33 9–5=4= 22 black squares a side of the
9 55 25 – 9 = 16 = 42 41+1
floor will be 2 = 21, the
area will be 21 × 21 = 441
13 77 49 – 13 = 36 = 62
and the number of white tiles
17 99 81 – 17 = 64 = 82 will be
441 − 41 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎 or 202 .

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 24
The shaded region shown is the area which lies both A
inside right ABC and outside the three sectors formed
by the arcs of radius 4 centered at the three vertices of
ABC. When the sides of ABC are 9, 12, and 15, the
B C
area of the shaded region is P − Qπ. Find the integer
value of P − Q.
Solution:
Strategy: Apply formulas for the area of a triangle and the area of a circle.
1
The formula for the area of a triangle is A = (2) × base × height. In a right
triangle, if one leg is the base then the other leg is the height. In the given
triangle, the hypotenuse is 15 since it is greater than the other two sides so A =
1
(2) × 9 × 12 = 54. The three sectors centered at the three vertices of the
triangle form a semicircle since the sum of the angles is 180°. The formula for
1 1
the area of a semicircle is A = (2) π × r 2 = (2) × π × 16 = 8π. The shaded area
equals 54 − 8π. Thus P = 54 and Q = 8 so P − Q = 46 = 𝟒𝟔.

Question 25
A lattice point is a point with integer coordinates. A straight line segment is
drawn between points A(– 6, – 5) and B(24, 19). Including the endpoints, how
many points on straight-line segment AB are lattice points?
Solution:
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use the concept of slope and then make a list.
19−(−5) 24 4
The slope of line joining A and B is m = 24−(−6) = 30 = 5. This means for every 5
units added to an x-coordinate there must be 4 units added to the respective y-
coordinate. Start with (–6, –5). The next point is (–6 + 5, –5 + 4) = (–1, –1).
Continue in this fashion to get the points (4, 3), (9, 7), (14, 11), (19, 15) and
(24, 19). There are 7 lattice points.

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AMO 2016, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

METHOD 2: Strategy: Find the ratio of the increases.

The total increase in x values is 30 while the total increase in the y values is 24.
y 24 4
The ratio x of 30 reduces to 5. This means that every time we increase x by 5, y
increases by 4. This leads to the lattice points seen in the table: Therefore,
there are 7 lattice points on the segment.

x –6 –1 4 9 14 19 24

y –5 –1 3 7 11 15 19

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solutions to AMO 2017 Secondary 1 (Grade 7)

Question 1
An integer must be subtracted from –74 to give the result –59. Find the square
of that integer.
Solution
Strategy: Use algebra.
Let x be the integer we wish to find. Then −74 − x = −59. Add 74 to each side
of the equation to get −x = 15 and multiply by –1 to find x = −15. x 2 = 𝟐𝟐𝟓
Answer: 225

Question 2
3
Write the expression √26 − √26 as an integer.
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use the information in the note.
3
Simplify: √26 − √26 = √(23 )(23 ) − √(22 )(22 )(22 ) = 23 − 22 = 8 − 4 = 𝟒
3

METHOD 2: Strategy: Use the law of exponents that 𝑎𝑏/𝑐 = √𝑎𝑏 .

𝑐

6 6
3
Rewrite and simplify: √26 − √26 = 22 − 23 = 23 − 22 = 8 − 4 = 𝟒.
Answer: 004

Question 3
The first 5 instances of a pattern involving the sum of three
squares are shown at the right. Find the sum 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 + 𝐷.

Solution
Strategy: Find the pattern of terms from line to line.
1st term: always 4, so A = 4.
2nd term: add 8 to the second term in the previous row: 36 + 8 = 44, so B =
44.
3rd term: add the next multiple of 8 (add 16, add 24, add 32) to the third term
in the previous row: the next multiple of 8 is 40. 78 + 40 = 118, so C = 118.
The sum also adds consecutive multiples of 8 {16, 24, 32}, so add 40 to the
previous sum: 86 + 40 = 126, and D = 126.
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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Finally 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 + 𝐷 = 4 + 44 + 118 + 126 = 𝟐𝟗𝟐.

Answer: 292

Question 4
What is the sum of the digits in the product of 2017 × 9999?
Solution
Strategy: Write 9999 as 1000 – 1.
2017 × 9999 = 2017 × (10000 − 1)
= 20170000 − 2017
= 20167983
The sum of digits of 20167983 is 2 + 0 + 1 + 6 + 7 + 9 + 8 + 3 = 𝟑𝟔.
Answer: 036

Question 5
Find the value of (1.6)2 + 3.2 × 0.4 + 0.16.
Solution
Strategy: Substitute into 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 .
Let a = 1.6 and b = 0.4. Hence 𝑘 = (1.6)2 + 2(1.6)(0.4) + (0.4)2 =
(1.6 + 0.4)2 = 22 = 𝟒.
Answer: 004

Question 6
The counting numbers are arranged five at a time, in
every row, as shown. What is the least counting number
in the row in which 214 will eventually appear?

Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Find a pattern involving the least number in each row.
Note that the least counting number on each line is 1 more than a multiple of 5.
Therefore, the least counting number on the line that contains 214 must be
211, one more than a multiple of 5 and less than 214.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Find a formula to locate every number in the pattern.
To find the location of a number we need to find the row and then its position
in the row. For example, the number 23 is the third smallest number in row 5.
To find this result, divide 23 by 5 to get 4 with remainder 3. Add 1 to the whole
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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

number quotient to find the row while the position is just the remainder. If the
remainder is 0, the quotient is the row and the number is the greatest number
in the row. To find the location for 214, we find 214 ÷ 5 = 42 with remainder 4.
So 214 will be the fourth number in row 42 + 1 = 43. The smallest number in
that row will be 43(5) − 4 = 𝟐𝟏𝟏.
Answer: 211

Question 7
If 4096 = 𝑎𝑏 find the sum of all possible values of a when b is a whole number
greater than 1.
Solution
Strategy: Prime factorize 4096.
The prime factorization of 4096 is 212 . Then,
𝑎𝑏 = 4096 = 212 = (26 )2 = (24 )3 = (23 )4 = (22 )6 .
Hence, the sum of possible values of 𝑎 is
2 + 26 + 24 + 23 + 22 = 𝟗𝟒.
Answer: 094

Question 8
The spinner at the right is divided into 5 equal parts. Spin the
needle once. If it lands on a perfect square number flip a fair 5 1
coin once. If it lands on a prime number do not flip the coin. 2
What is the probability that you flipped a coin and it landed 4
3
heads up?
(If your answer is p/q in the simplest form, then write p+q)
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use the multiplication rule for independent events.
Since the perfect squares are 1 and 4 and the prime numbers are 2, 3, and 5,
2 1
the probability that you will flip a coin is 5. The probability of a head is 2. Thus
2 1 2 1
the probability you flipped a coin and it landed heads up is 5 × 2 = 10 = 5. Then,
p+q=1+5=6.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Make an outcome table.
Spin number 1 2 3 4 5
Flip or not Yes No No Yes No
H X X H X
Heads or Tails
T X X T X

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Since there are 10 possible outcomes indicated by H, T, or X, and only 2 result

2 1
in heads, the probability that you flip a head is 10 = 5. Hence, p+q is 1+5=6.

Answer: 006

Question 9
First, find all the ordered pairs of integers, (x, y), that satisfy the equation 𝑥 𝑦 =
16.
Next, find the sum of all possible values of 𝑥 and the sum of all possible values
of 𝑦.
Finally, find the positive difference between the two sums to get your final
answer.
Solution
Strategy: Factor and group by powers.
Case I: 16 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 24 so (2, 4) satisfies the equation.
Case II: 16 = 4 × 4 = 42 so (4, 2) satisfies the equation.
Case III: 16 = 161 so (16, 1) satisfies the equation.
Case IV: 16 = (– 2) × (– 2) × (– 2) × (– 2) = (– 2)4 so (–2, 4) satisfies the
equation.
Case V: 16 = (– 4) × (– 4) = (– 4)2 so (–4, 2) satisfies the equation.
The sum of the x’s is 2 + 4 + 16 + (– 2) + (– 4) = 16 and the sum of the y’s is
4 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 2 = 13. The positive difference between the sum of the x’s and
y’s is 16 − 13 = 𝟑.
Answer: 003

Question 10
A survey of 40 students at Mathlete Academy found that 27 students play
sports and 20 students play an instrument. If 8 students in the survey do not
play a sport and do not play an instrument, how many students play both a
sport and an instrument?
Solution
Strategy: Solve using arithmetic.
There are 40 − 8 = 32 students who either play sports or instruments. The
desired number of students is included in these 32 students. Both the numbers
27 and 20 include the students who play both sports and instruments. Adding
27 and 20 will double count the number students who play both. Hence, the
number of students who play both sports and instruments is 27 + 20 − 32 =
𝟏𝟓.
Answer: 015
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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 11
𝑎 1 1 𝑎
is a fraction in simplest form where √144 − 169 = 𝑏. Find the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏.
𝑏

Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Solve using the arithmetic of fractions and square roots.
1 1 169−144 25 52 5 𝑎 𝑎
Simplify: √144 − 169 = √(144)(169) = √(144)(169) = √(122 )(132) = (12)(13) = 𝑏. So, =
𝑏
5
and 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 5 + 156 = 𝟏𝟔𝟏.
156

Answer: 161

Question 12
Some of the 12 edges of a cube are to be coloured red, so that
each face has exactly 2 red edges. What is the number of red
edges?
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Apply logical reasoning.
A cube has 12 edges. Since every face is a square that has exactly 2 red edges,
it must also have exactly 2 black edges. It follows that half the edges are red
and half are black. Therefore there are 6 red edges.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Squish the cube.
Since a cube has 12 edges and each edge is shared by two faces, we suspect
that there will be 12 ÷ 2 = 6 edges colored red. Constructing a 6-edged coloring
can strengthen our intuitive result. The squished original cube with four
different 6-edge colorings [using thickened segments] is shown.

Answer: 006

Question 13
There are exactly N whole number cubes between 86 and 59 . Find N. Do not
include 86 or 59 in your count.

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solution
Strategy: Apply the rules of exponents to form cubic numbers.
Rewrite 86 = (23 )6 = (26 )3 and 59 = (53 )3. Since 26 = 64 and 53 = 125, there
are 125 − 64 − 1 = 60 numbers between 64 and 125 so 𝑁 = 𝟔𝟎.
Answer: 060

Question 14
14
The cardboard pattern shown is composed of six
numbered squares, and is folded to form a cube.
12 15 11 16
What is the sum of the digits in the greatest 6
product of the numbers on three faces that meet
at a common vertex? 13
5

Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Consider opposite faces that can never meet.
Once folded, the numbers 14 and 13 lies on opposite faces, 11 and 12 lies on
opposite faces, and 15 and 16 lies on opposite faces. Opposite faces can never
meet at a common vertex or a common edge. Choose the greatest number
from each pair of opposite faces listed above: 14, 12 and 16. These faces all
meet at a vertex and their product is the greatest possible product:
14 × 12 × 16 = 2688. Hence, the sum of the digits is 2 + 6 + 8 + 8 = 𝟐𝟒.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Change your perspective.
If the cube is transparent and you look at it up
close from the front, this is what you would see. TOP
If the back is numbered 15, the right face could
FRONT
be 11, the left face 12, the top 14 and the
bottom 13. The front would have the number LEFT BACK RIGHT
16. The top, left and front faces meet at a
vertex. The product of these numbers is BOTTOM
14 × 12 × 16 = 2688. This is the greatest
possible product for 3 faces that meet at a
vertex which give the digit sum of 2 + 6 + 8 + 8 = 𝟐𝟒.
Answer: 024

Question 15
How many 4-digit odd integers can be formed from the digits 0, 1, 4, 6 and 8 if
no digit can be repeated in the number?

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Count the number of choices in each place value.
Ones place: 1 choice (1)
Thousands place: 3 choices (4, 6, 8, suppose we choose “4”)
Hundreds place: 3 choices (0, 6, 8, suppose we choose “6”)
Tens place: 2 choices (0, 8)
It follows that the number of 4-digit odd integers satisfying the above
conditions is
1 × 3 × 3 × 2 = 𝟏𝟖.
METHOD 2: Strategy: List down all in an organized way.
The desired integers in increasing order are as follows:
4061, 4081, 4601, 4681, 4801, 4861,
6041, 6081, 6401, 6481, 6801, 6841,
8041, 8061, 8401, 8461, 8601, 8641
Total number in the list is 18.
Answer: 018

Question 16
Two squares with integer length sides overlap so that two sides of
the smaller square rest along two sides of the larger square as
shown. The area of the L-shaped shaded region is 21 square units.
Find the sum of the two possible lengths of the side of the smaller
square.
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Create an organized table.
Since the area of the larger square is 21 sq units greater than the area of the
smaller square, we can add 21 to the area of the smaller squares until we find a
perfect square.
Side of small square 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Area of small square 1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 81 100
Area plus 21 22 25 30 37 46 57 70 85 102 121
Is the result a perfect no yes no no no no no no no yes
square?

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

The two results that are perfect squares are 25 and 121. Therefore, we add the
lengths of the small squares to get 2 + 10 = 𝟏𝟐. Verify these results: 112 −
102 = 121 − 100 = 21 and 52 − 22 = 25 − 4 = 21.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Apply an algebraic technique.
Since 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 21, we are looking for 2 positive integers that
multiply to be 21. The only possibilities are 1 and 21 or 3 and 7. Using 1 and
21, we need to find x and y such that 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21. Since the
integers differ by 1, they must be 10 and 11. Notice that 112 − 102 = 121 −
100 = 21. Similarly, if 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 3 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 7, the values of x and y must be 2
and 5. The sum of the lengths of the two possible sides of the smaller square is
10 + 2 = 𝟏𝟐.
Answer: 012

Question 17
Each of 10 cards displays two different symbols, one on
the front and the other on the back. The symbols are ,
, , •, . The front of each card is shown. No two
cards have the same pair of symbols. What is the least
number of cards you can turn over to ensure that • will
appear?

Solution
Strategy: Determine the possible pairs of numbers on each tile.
The following is the list of possible pairings, with the first shape representing
the front of the tile:
 ,  ,  ,•
, , •
 ,•
•
Now consider the four tiles that have • on the back. Each row must have
exactly one such tile, or else two tiles would be identical. The • tile, however,
is the only tile in the bottom row. You can point to the tile that shows the
and know the back has a • . The fewest tiles you can point is 1.
Answer: 001

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 18
For how many whole numbers from 5001 to 5499 does the product of the
middle two digits exceed 6?
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Create an organized chart.
In the hundreds position, we can have 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. For each of these
numbers, list numbers in the tens position that results in a product that exceeds
6.

Hundreds digit 0 1 2 3 4

Tens digit
None 7, 8, 9 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Count the amount of numbers in each box of the second row: 0 + 3 + 6 + 7 +

8 = 24.
Since the ones digit can be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, there are 24 whole
numbers for each of these 10 units digits. Altogether there are 240 numbers
that satisfy the conditions.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Find those numbers for which the product is less than or
equal to 6.
Start as above, but now in the second row list those numbers that yield a
product of 6 or less.
Hundreds digit 0 1 2 3 4
Tens digit 0, 1, 2,
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 0, 1, 2 0, 1
3
Count the amount of numbers in each box of the second row: 10 + 7 + 4 + 3 +
2 = 26.
Since the ones digit can be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, there are 26 whole
numbers for each of these 10 units digits. In the 260 numbers just counted, we
have the number 5000. Thus there are only 259 numbers that do not satisfy
the condition. Since there are 499 numbers between 5000 and 5500, exclusive
of both end numbers, there are 499 − 259 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎 numbers which do satisfy the
given conditions.
Answer: 240

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 19
Jethro wishes to tile a 10 cm x 15 cm rectangular floor using giant
“J” shaped tiles. Each “J” shaped tile has an area of 6 cm2 and is
composed of 1 cm x 1 cm square sections as shown. What is the
smallest area (in cm2 of the 10 cm x 15 cm floor that cannot be
covered using Jethro’s “J” shaped tiles? Tiles cannot be cut or overlapped.

Solution
Strategy: Combine two “J” shapes to form a rectangle.
Notice that two “J” shaped tiles form a 3 cm x 4 cm
rectangle whose area is 12 cm2. Since we are
trying to fill a floor that is 10 cm x 15 cm which has
an area of 150 cm2, the best we can expect to fill
with the rectangular pair of tiles is 144 cm2
(12 × 12) with 6 cm2 without tile. To see how this
can be accomplished consider the diagram. There
are several other configurations that also have 6
cm2 uncovered.
Answer: 006

Question 20
Mel sells jumbo cheesy pretzel nuggets in a 4 nugget “diet” size, a 7 nugget
“share” size and a 17 nugget “party” size. What is the greatest total number of
jumbo cheesy pretzel nuggets that cannot be purchased from Mel? [Example: It
is possible to buy 8 nuggets but not possible to buy 9 nuggets.]
Solution
Strategy: Find a string of four consecutive possible purchases.
Find the first instance of four consecutive quantities that can be purchased.
Once found, add multiples of 4 to each of the numbers in that string to get
every quantity greater than the numbers in the string.
Here is a list of the purchases that can be made: 4, 7, 4 + 4 = 8, 4 + 7 = 11, 4 +
4 + 4 = 12, 7 + 7 = 14, 4 + 4 + 7 = 15, 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16, 17.
Since 14, 15, 16, and 17 can be purchased; adding 4 to each of these, we can
also purchase 18, 19, 20, and 21 nuggets. This process can be continued
indefinitely. The largest number that cannot be purchased is 13.
Answer: 013

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 21
Two squares overlap so that a vertex of the larger (9 cm
square) lies at the center of the smaller (8 cm square) as 8
shown. If the distance from A to B is 5 cm, find the number A 5 B
of centimeters in the perimeter of the quadrilateral
determined by the overlapping shaded region. 9

Solution
Strategy: Draw two segments and use congruent right triangles.
Draw the perpendicular from point A to BC and the C
perpendicular from A to DE. Label the intersections P and 8
Q. The lengths of these segments are 4 cm each. Right 4 P
3
ABP has a leg 4 cm and hypotenuse 5 cm, so the other A 5 B
leg must be 3 cm. Since ABP ≅ ADQ by ASA, the length 4 E
5
of AD is also 5 cm. Since 𝑃𝐸 = 4 cm and 𝑃𝐵 = 3 cm, 𝐵𝐸 = Q 9
1 cm. We find that 𝐷𝐸 = 𝐷𝑄 + 𝑄𝐸 = 3 + 4 = 7 𝑐𝑚. Thus D3
the perimeter of quadrilateral 𝐷𝐴𝐵𝐸 = 5 + 5 + 1 + 7 = 𝟏𝟖
cm.
Answer: 018

Question 22
How many four-digit whole numbers contain the digit pair “17” without other
intervening digits? [Note: 2017 is one such example, but 2107 is not.]
Solution
Strategy: Examine all possible cases.
The digit pair 17 can either be in the first 2 positions, the middle 2 positions or
the last 2 positions.
Case I (1 7 _ _): There are 10 × 10 = 100 possible 4-digit numbers.
Case II (_ 1 7 _): There are 9 × 10 = 90 possible 4-digit numbers. [The leading
digit cannot be 0.]
Case III (_ _ 1 7): There are 9 × 10 = 90 possible 4-digit numbers.
From the total of 100 + 90 + 90, it is necessary to subtract 1 since 1717 was
counted twice, once in case I and again in case III. Therefore there are 100 +
90 + 90 − 1 = 𝟐𝟕𝟗 4-digit numbers containing “17”.
Answer: 279

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 23
2 3 5
Suppose 𝑁 , 𝑁 and 𝑁 are three fractions in lowest terms (simplest form). How
many possible composite whole number values for N from 20 to 150?
Solution
Strategy: Examine the possible prime factors of N.
N is composite, so it is the product of two or more (not necessarily different)
primes. None of the primes can be 2, 3, or 5, for then at least one of the
fractions given would not be in lowest terms. The possible prime factors of N
are 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, etc. The composites using these factors are 7 × 7, 7 × 11,
7 × 13, 7 × 17, 7 × 19, 11 × 11, 11 × 13, etc. Because these composites are
between 20 and 150, there are 7 possible values of N.
Answer: 007

Question 24
Gina’s 6-digit postal code has the following interesting properties:
• It is the same number if your read it from right to left.
• It is a multiple of 9.
• If you remove the first and last digits, the only prime factor of the remaining 4-
digit number is 11.
Find the first 3 digits of Gina’s postal code.
Solution
Strategy: Consider the clues one at a time, starting with the most restrictive
clue.
Clue 3: The only prime factor of the 4-digit number is 11, so the number is 111
or 112 or 113 , etc. Of these, only 113 = 1331 has 4-digits, so the 6-digit
number is _1331_ .
Clue 1: The number reads the same right to left, so the first and last digits are
the same. Call the number A1331A.
Clue 2: The number is a multiple of 9, so the sum of its digits is a multiple of 9.
𝐴 + 1 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 𝐴 = 2𝐴 + 8 must be equal to 9 or 18. No digit A satisfies
2𝐴 + 8 = 9, but if 2𝐴 + 8 = 18, then 𝐴 = 5. Gina’s postal code is 513315. Thus,
the postal code’s first 3 digits are 513.
Answer: 513

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AMO 2017, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 25
A cricket can climb a staircase by leaping either 1 step up or 2 steps up with
each jump. In how many different ways can the cricket climb a 7-step
staircase?
[Example: the cricket can ascend a 3-step staircase in exactly 3 ways: 1 + 1 +
1, 1 + 2, or 2 + 1.]
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Solve a simpler problem.
Case I: (1 step) Only 1 way.
Case II: (2 steps) Either 1-1 or 2, so 2 ways.
Case III: (3 steps) Possible ways are 1-1-1, 1-2, or 2-1, so 3 ways.
Case IV: (4 steps) If the cricket’s first move is to go up 1 step then 3 steps
remain and we know that there are 3 ways to get to the top. If the first move is
to go up 2 steps, there are 2 steps remaining and there are 2 ways to get to
the top. So the total number of ways is 3 + 2 = 5.
Case V: (5 steps) If the first move is 1 step, 4 steps remain and if the first
move is 2 steps, 3 steps remain. Therefore add the previous two results to get
5 + 3 = 8 ways. Continue in this fashion to find the results for 6 steps (8 + 5 =
13 ways) and for 7 steps (13 + 8 = 𝟐𝟏 ways).
(The pattern is a Fibonacci sequence: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21)
METHOD 2: Strategy: Make a list of all possible combinations.
1-1-1-1-1-1-1
1-1-1-1-1-2, 1-1-1-1-2-1, 1-1-1-2-1-1, 1-1-2-1-1-1, 1-2-1-1-1-1, 2-1-1-1-1-1
1-1-1-2-2, 1-1-2-1-2, 1-1-2-2-1, 1-2-1-1-2, 1-2-1-2-1, 1-2-2-1-1, 2-1-1-1-2, 2-1-
1-2-1, 2-1-2-1-1,
2-2-1-1-1
1-2-2-2, 2-1-2-2, 2-2-1-2, 2-2-2-1
Counting cases we have 1 + 6 + 10 + 4 = 𝟐𝟏 ways.
Answer: 021

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Solutions to AMO 2018 Secondary 1 (Grade 7)

Question 1
Find the sum of all the whole numbers between 41 and 50 inclusive, which are
multiples of either 2 or 3 or 5.

Solution:

METHOD 1 Strategy: Make lists and eliminate duplicates.

Multiples of 2: 42, 44, 46, 48, 50

Multiples of 3: 42, 45, 48,

Multiples of 5: 45, 50.

Adding: 42 + 44 + 45 + 46 + 48 + 50 = 275.

METHOD 2 Strategy: Add all the integers from 41 to 50 and subtract the ones
that do not satisfy the conditions.

The sum of the numbers from 41 to 50 is (10/2) (41 + 50) = 5(91) = 455. Now
subtract 455 – (41 + 43 + 47 + 49) = 455 – 180 = 275.

Answer: 275

Question 2
Simplify the following complex fraction to a positive integer.
40
4
3+ 1
1−
5

Solution:
40 40 40 40 40
= = = = =𝟓
4 4 4×5 3+5 8
3+ 1 3+ 4 3+ 4
1− ( )
5 5
Answer: 005

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 3
Fedrick is twice as old as his sister Mandy. Mandy is 3 years older than her
brother Ray. The sum of their three ages is 33. What is Ray’s age?
Solution:
Let Fedrick’s age be 𝐹, Mandy’s age be 𝑀 and Ray’s age be 𝑅.
Then given that Fedrick is twice as old as his sister: 𝐹 = 2𝑀 (1)
Since Mandy is 3 years older than her brother Ray: 𝑀 = 𝑅 + 3 (2)
Substitute (2) into (1): 𝐹 = 2(𝑅 + 3) = 2𝑅 + 6 (3)
Their combined age is 33: 𝐹 + 𝑀 + 𝑅 = 33 (4)
Substituting (3) and (2) into (4):
2𝑅 + 6 + 𝑅 + 3 + 𝑅 = 33
𝑅=𝟔
Answer: 006

Question 4

25
Determine the integer closest to the value of 10 − √ .
0.51

Solution:

25 25 25 25 5
We approximate √0.51 ≈ √0.5 = √50 ≈ √49 = 7 or √0.51 ≈ √0.49 = 0.7 ≈ 7

This gives: 10 − 7 = 𝟑
Answer: 003

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 5
A palindrome reads the same forwards and backwards. The number 2017102 is
a 7-digit palindrome. Let A represent the least palindrome greater than 2017102.
Let B represent the greatest palindrome less than 2017102. Find the value of
𝐴−𝐵
.
10

Solution:

Changing the unit-digit forces the digit in the millions column to change. Likewise,
changing the digits in the tens or hundreds columns changes the digits in the
hundred-thousands or ten-thousands columns.

Each of these changes would bring the result further from the original number
than changing the number in the thousands column. Thus the two closest
palindromes to 2017102 would be 2018102 and 2016102. These numbers are
𝐴−𝐵 2000
2000 apart which gives the value of 𝐴 − 𝐵. Therefore = = 𝟐𝟎𝟎.
10 10

Answer: 200

Question 6
Consider 7 points, no three of which lie on a straight line. How many different
triangles can be formed by connecting three of these points as vertices?

Solution:

Strategy: Combinatorics

If we have n points & m points lie on a straight line (co-linear), the no. of
different triangles that can be formed: No. of Triangles= (𝑛3) − (𝑚
3
)

In our case, we have 7 points, no 3 of which lie on a straight line, which means
𝑚 = 2 (we cannot say that we have 1 point lying on a straight line)

No. of Triangles = (73) − (23)

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

However, we cannot have (23), which simply means choosing 3 out of 2 points,
𝟕!
it’s impossible! Thus, we have No. of Triangles = (73)= 𝟑!(𝟕−𝟑)! = 𝟑𝟓.

Answer: 035

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 7
Different letters stand for different digits in the cryptarithm shown. CUP
Find the product of digits of the smallest possible value of "PINT". +C U P

[Assume both P and C are not 0] PINT

Solution:

Start by using the smallest digit to get the smallest 4-digit sum. Since our search
is for the smallest value for PINT, we want to find the value of C that produces
the smallest 2-digit sum. Therefore C = 5, P = 1, I = 0 and T = 2.

CU1 5U1 531

+ CU1 + 5U1 + 531

10N2 10N2 1062

Since the digit 1 and 2 have been used, let U = 3 which result in N = 6. Thus,
the least possible value for "PINT" is 1062.
Therefore the product of the digits PINT: 1 × 0 × 6 × 2 = 𝟎.
Answer: 000

Question 8
Nicholas writes the positive integers from 1 to 50 in an ordered list.
On Monday, he crosses out every multiple of 2;
on Tuesday, he crosses out every multiple of 3;
on Wednesday, he crosses out every multiple of 5;
on Thursday, he crosses out every multiple of 7;
on Friday, he crosses out every multiple of 11; and
on Saturday, he crosses out every multiple of 13.
How many of the original 50 positive integers are not crossed out?

Solution:

Look for a pattern for numbers 1 through 20. You see that the only numbers that
do not get crossed off are 1 and prime numbers greater than 13. Extend your list
to check that the only numbers not crossed off are 1 and the prime numbers: 17,
19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47. There are 10 numbers not crossed out.

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 9
The sum of two non-consecutive page numbers is 70, and their difference is 36.
Find their product.

Solution:
Let larger page number be 𝑥 and the other page number be 𝑦.
Since the sum of these 2 pages are 70: 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 70
Given that their difference is 36: 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 36
Adding the first equation to the next:
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 70 + 36
2𝑥 = 106
𝑥 = 53
𝑦 = 70 − 53 = 17
Then their product are: 𝑥𝑦 = 53 × 17 = 𝟗𝟎𝟏
Answer: 901

Question 10
Thirty-six points are arranged in a unit-square array as G F D
shown. Figure ABCDEFG is composed entirely of straight-line
segments, with vertices A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Find the area E
C B
of figure ABCDEFG in square units.
A
Solution:

METHOD 1 Strategy: Draw the smallest rectangle that contains A, B, D, F, and

G.

The area of square GHJK is 3  3 = 9. Calculate the areas of the

triangles and rectangle outside the original figure: G F D K

1 1
𝐷𝐸𝐹 = (2) (1)(1) = 2 E
1 3 C B
𝐺𝐻𝐴 = (2) (3)(1) = 2
H A J
1
𝐴𝐽𝐵 = (2) (2)(1) = 1

𝐴𝐵𝐾𝐷𝐶 = (2)(1) = 2
Subtract these areas from the area of the square:

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

1 3
9 – ( + + 1 + 2) = 9 – 5 = 4
2 2
Therefore, the area of figure ABCDEFG is 4 square units.

METHOD 2 Strategy: Use Pick's theorem.

B
Pick's theorem states that the area of any figure = + I -1, where B is the
2
number
of lattice points on the boundary of the figure and I is the number of points
8
inside the figure. Therefore, the area of figure ABCDEFG = + 1- 1 = 𝟒 square
2
units.
Answer: 004

Question 11
Find the 100th term of the sequence 265, 349, 820, 520, 133, … and so on.
Each term after the first term is formed by summing the cubes of the digits of
the previous term.
[Example: The sum of the cubes of the digits of 265 yields
23 + 63 + 5 3 = 8 + 216 +125 = 349 which is the next term.]
Solution:

Strategy: Continue the sequence using the rule stated in the problem.

List out more of the terms of the sequence using the rule for forming new terms.
The next term after 133 = 13 + 33 + 33 = 55 followed by 53 + 53 = 250 and
23 + 53 + 03 = 133

265, 349, 820, 520, 133, 55, 250, 133, 55, 250, …

The sequence becomes a repeating cycle of the three numbers 133, 55 and 250.
Since there were 4 terms before this repetition began, we need to find the 96 th
term after the first four term.

Since 96 is a multiple of 3, where 3 × 32 = 96.

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

This means 32 cycles of 133, 55, 250 end at the 100th term in the original
sequence. Hence, the 100th term of the sequence is 250.

Answer: 250

Question 12
The list of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 can be used to form fractions
by selecting one number for the numerator and one number for the denominator.
When reduced to lowest terms, many of these fractions are equal. How many of
these reduced fractions are greater than 1/2 but also less than 1?

Solution:
Strategy: Listing
List all the fractions between 1/2 and 1 using the ten numbers listed in the
2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 7 7 8 9
problem: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and . There are 15 fractions in
3 4 5 5 7 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 9 10
the list.

Answer: 015

Question 13
Define 𝑛! = 𝑛 × (𝑛 − 1) × … × 2 × 1. For example, 4! = 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 24 and
3! = 3 × 2 × 1 = 6. Simplify the following fraction.
29! × 29!
28! × 28!
Solution:
Strategy: Simplify the fractions
𝑛! 𝑛 × (𝑛 − 1) × (𝑛 − 2) × … × 1
= =𝑛
(𝑛 − 1)! (𝑛 − 1) × (𝑛 − 2) × … × 1
𝑛! × 𝑛! 𝑛! 𝑛!
= = 𝑛×𝑛
(𝑛 − 1)! × (𝑛 − 1)! (𝑛 − 1)! (𝑛 − 1)!
29!×29!
Take 𝑛 = 29, = 29 × 29 = 𝟖𝟒𝟏.
28!×28!

Answer: 841

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 14
The next term of a sequence was obtained by adding the same constant to the
previous term. The 1st term is 12 and the 7th term is 66. What is the 50th term
of this sequence?

Solution:
Strategy: Arithmetic sequence
Such sequence is known to be an arithmetic sequence: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

Where 𝑎𝑛 is the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term, 𝑎1 is the first term, 𝑛 is the number of terms in the
sequence and 𝑑 is the common difference.

Since the 1st term is 12: 𝑎1 = 12

Then 7th term is 66: 66 = 12 + (7 − 1)𝑑

66−12
Solving for 𝑑 gives: 𝑑 = =9
7−1

Since we want to find the 50th term, 𝑎50 : 𝑎50 = 12 + (50 − 1)9 = 𝟒𝟓𝟑

Answer: 453

Question 15
When the pattern at the right is continued indefinitely, what number appears
directly below 406?

Solution:
Strategy Sum of numbers
Row 1 has 1 number, Row 2 has 2 numbers and so on. The total number of
numbers until Row 2 is: 1 + 2. We use this pattern to find what Row is 406 in.
𝑛(𝑛+1)
That is ≈ 406. Hence 𝑛(𝑛 + 1) = 812.
2

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Note that 28 × 29 = 812

This means 406 lies on row 28. Hence the number below that must be:
406 + 28 = 𝟒𝟑𝟒
Answer: 434

Question 16
The prime factorization of 2016 is 25  32  7 and the prime factorization of
2018 is 2  1009. Find the number of distinct positive divisors in the product
2016  2018.
Solution:
METHOD 1 Strategy: Use the fact that a prime raised to the power n has n + 1
divisors (factors).
Since the prime factorization of 2016 is 25  32  7 and the prime factorization of
2018 is 2  1009, the prime factorization of 2016  2018 = 26  32  71  10091.
Since 26 has 7 factors (6 + 1 = 7), 32 has 3 factors (2 + 1 = 3), 7 has 2 factors
(1 + 1 = 2), and 1009 has 2 factors (1 + 1 = 2), the product has 7 × 3 × 2 × 2 =
𝟖𝟒 divisors. [The factors of 26 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64.]

METHOD 2: Strategy: Find a pattern for the number of divisors using smaller
numbers.
Consider the number of divisors for the number 24. Since 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3,
the divisors are 1, 2, 4, 8, 3, 6, 12, and 24. That is, there are the four divisors
that are formed using 20, 21, 22, and 23 and then the four divisors resulting from
multiplying each of the previous ones by 3. Hence there are 4 × 2 = 8 divisors.
If the original number were 72, then we would have 4 additional divisors since
we could multiply each of the four powers of 2 by 9. This explains the rule that
was stated in method 1. Thus, to answer the question there are 7  3  2  2 =
84 divisors.

Answer: 084

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 17
Thirty-six points are arranged in a unit-square array as shown. E C
Figure ABCDE is composed entirely of straight-line segments with
vertices A, B, C, D, and E. Find the sum of the interior angles, in D
degrees, of figure ABCDE.
A B
Solution:
Strategy: Sum of interior angles in a polygon.
Sum of interior angles = (no. of sides −2) × 180° = (5 − 2) × 180° = 𝟓𝟒𝟎°
Answer: 540

Question 18
There are two primes whose product is 9991. Find the smaller prime number.
Solution:
Strategy: Differences of squares
9991 = 1002 − 32 = (100 + 3)(100 − 3) = 103 × 97
The smaller prime number is 𝟗𝟕
Answer: 097

Question 19
Thirty-six points are arranged in a unit-square array as shown.
Figure ABCDE is composed entirely of straight-line segments, E C
with vertices A, B, C, D, and E.
D
If the perimeter of figure ABCDE is 𝑥 + 𝑦 × √5 + 𝑧 × √13 units,
A B
find the value of x + y + z.

Note: Use the two right triangles with the given sides to help
find x, y, and z.
3 2
Solution:
Perimeter 1
2
= 𝐴𝐸 + 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐶𝐷 + 𝐷𝐸
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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

= √13 + 2 + √13 + √5 + 1

= 3 + √5 + 2√13
Therefore 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 1, 𝑧 = 2. Then 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 3 + 1 + 2 = 𝟔.
Answer: 006

Question 20
What is the sum of the interior angles of a 7-sided regular polygon?
Solution:
Strategy: Use the formula for the sum of interior angles of a polygon
Using the formula for 7-sided regular polygon, we get
(7 − 2) × 180° = 𝟗𝟎𝟎°

Answer: 900

Question 21
Each number from 1 through 16 is written one to a box. A path is formed by
placing consecutive numbers in adjacent boxes horizontally or vertically, but not
diagonally. Two numbers are shown. Find the smallest possible sum of the
numbers in the starred (*) boxes. (“Adjacent boxes” means that boxes next to
each other).

1
* *
16
Solution:
7 8 9 10
6 1 12 11
5 2 13 14
4 3 16 15

2 + 14 = 𝟏𝟔
Answer: 016

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 22
The current year in the Chinese calendar is 4715. The digits in 4715 are
rearranged to form all possible 4-digit whole number arrangements. Find the last
three digits of the sum of all such whole numbers.

Solution:

METHOD 1 Strategy: Consider the number of rearrangements of the digits.

Since there are 4 digits in the number there are 4  3  2  1 = 24 different digit
arrangements. Each of the 4-digits will appear 6 times in each of the four place
values. For example, the digit 4 will appear in the thousands place in the numbers
4157, 4175, 4517, 4571, 4715, and 4751. The sum of the 24 digits that appear
in each column is 6 × (4 + 7 + 1 + 5) = 6 × 17 = 102. The total of all 24
numbers is 102 × (1000 + 100 + 10 + 1) = 102 × 1111 = 113,322.

METHOD 2 Strategy: List and add all of the numbers.

4715 4751 4571 4517 4157 4175 →

26,886

7415 7451 7514 7541 7145 7154 →

44,220

1745 1754 1547 1574 1475 1457 →

9,552

5147 5174 5741 5714 5417 5471 → +

32,664

113,322

Therefore the last 3 digits are 𝟑𝟐𝟐

Answer: 322

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Question 23
Given N is a whole number and exactly three of the four statements are true.
(1) N is prime.
(2) N + 3 is prime.
(3) 1 < √𝑁 < 7 .
(4) N + 5 has an odd number of factors.
How many possible values of N are there?
Solution:
Strategy: Parity
When 𝑁 = 2, the first 3 statements are true and fourth statement is false.
When 𝑁 ≠ 2, one of first two statements must be false since either 𝑁 or 𝑁 + 3
will be even. Hence the third and fourth statement must be true.
From (3), we square both sides to get: 1 < 𝑁 < 49
From (4), 𝑁 + 5 must be a perfect square.
Only N = 4, 11, 20, 31 and 44 satisfy both (3) and (4).
Hence, we have 𝑁 = 2, 4, 11, 20, 31 and 44. 6 possible values of N.
Answer: 006

Question 24
Lean is biking at a constant speed along a street that goes from point A to point
5
B. He starts at point A. When he is 17 of the way across the street, he hears a
car approaching at a speed of 391 km/h. Lean can immediately move so that if
he turns and moves back toward point A, he will meet the car at A, and if he
moves forward toward point B, the car will overtake him at B. How fast is
Lean’s biking in km/h?
Solution:

C A B

𝑥 𝑑

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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

C denotes the car position when Lean heard it. Let the distance from the car to
point A be 𝑥. Let the distance between point A to B be 𝑑. Let the speed of Lean
be 𝑆.
Ratio of speed is equal to distance given that time remains constant:
5
𝑑 𝑥
When Lean is cycling towards point A: 17
=
𝑆 391
5
𝑑
𝑆 = 391 × ( 17 ) (#)
𝑥

12
𝑑 𝑥+𝑑
When Lean is cycling towards point B: 17
=
𝑆 391
12
𝑑
𝑆 = 391 × ( 17 ) (∗)
𝑥+𝑑

Equating the 2 equations (∗) and (#):

12 5
𝑑 𝑑
391 × ( 17 ) = 391 × (17 )
𝑥+𝑑 𝑥

12 5
𝑑 𝑑
( 17 ) = (17 )
𝑥+𝑑 𝑥

12 5
𝑥= (𝑥 + 𝑑)
17 17
7𝑥 = 5𝑑
Substitute 5𝑑 = 7𝑥 into (#):
7𝑥
7
𝑆 = 391 × 17 = 391 × = 𝟏𝟔𝟏
𝑥 17
Answer: 161

Question 25
Multiply two or more consecutive integers to obtain a six-digit palindrome
whose first two digits are “47”. What is the largest among these consecutive
integers?
(A palindrome is a number that reads the same backwards as forwards)

Solution:
Strategy: Last Digit
Our 6-digit palindrome is 47 _ _ 74
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AMO 2018, Secondary 1 (Grade 7) Contest Solutions

Suppose we multiply any 2 consecutive integers, we find that the last digit will
never be 4. Considering the unit digit only:
1×2=2
2×3=6
3×4=2
4×5=0
5×6=0
6×7=2
7×8=6
8×9=2
0×9=0
Hence, we can’t have 2 consecutive integers. Next, we consider 3 consecutive
numbers. Considering the unit digit only, there only 2 possible cases:
2 × 3 × 4 = 4 and 7 × 8 × 9 = 4
72 × 73 × 74 = 388944 < 470074
82 × 83 × 84 = 571,704 > 479974
77 × 78 × 79 = 474474
Therefore the largest integer of the 3 is 79.
Answer: 079

90