LOGICAL THINKING

1. Independence Day in the Philippines is celebrated every 12th of June. This year, June 12
is Wednesday. Which day of the week will the Independence Day on 2050 be?
Answer: Sunday
Solution. A normal year has 365 days while a leap year has 366 days. There are 20
normal years and 6 leap years from 2024 to 2050. Observe that 365 mod 7 ≡ 1 mod 7
and 366 mod 7 ≡ 2 mod 7. Thus,

(20 · 1 + 6 · 2) mod 7 ≡ 32 mod 7 ≡ 4 mod 7.

Since the remainder is 4, we will count four days after Wednesday. Thus, the Independence
Day on 2050 will be a Sunday.

2. Use decimal number system to represent septimal number 20247 .

Answer: 70410 or 704
Solution. Septimal is a base-7 numeral system. It uses the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to
represent any real number. To convert 20247 into decimal, we have

20247 = 2 · 73 + 0 · 72 + 2 · 71 + 4 · 70
= 686 + 0 + 14 + 4
= 70410

Hence, Septimal number 20247 is 70410 or 704 in decimal number system.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

3. There are n lines that are not parallel with each other on a plane. There are no 3
intersecting lines at a point. If they intersect 1035 times, find n.
Answer: 46
Solution. The number of times n lines intersect such that these lines are not parallel with
each other and no 3 lines intersect ate a point is given

n(n − 1)
C2n = 1035 =⇒ = 1035 =⇒ n2 −n−2070 = 0 =⇒ (n−46)(n+45) = 0.
2

Since n must be nonnegative, hence n = 46.

4. If a1 = 15 and am+1 = am + 3a1 for all m ≥ n and m, n are positive integers, find the
value of a2024 .
Answer: 91050
Solution. Observe that

a2024 = a2023 + 3a1

a2024 = a2022 + 3a1 + 3a1
a2024 = a2022 + 2 · 3a1
a2024 = a2021 + 3 · 3a1
..
.
a2024 = a1 + 2023 · 3a1

Thus, a2024 = 6070a1 = 6070(15) = 91050.

5. There are 23 pairs of white chopsticks, 20 pairs of yellow chopsticks, and 24 pairs of brown
chopsticks mixed together. Close your eyes. If you want to get 3 pairs of chopsticks with
different color, at least how many piece(s) of chopstick(s) is/are needed to be taken?
Answer: 90
Solution. In order to obtain the least number of chopsticks needed to be taken, we need
to get the two group of colored chopsticks with the most number of pairs ans simply add
a pair of chopsticks from the least colored group. In this case, we need at least

2(24) + 2(23) + 2 = 96

pieces of chopsticks to get 3 pairs with different color.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

 ALGEBRA
√
6. Find the value of x such that x = x − 552.
Answer: 576
Solution. Observe that
√
x = x − 552
√
0 = x − x − 552
√
√

0= x + 23 x − 24 .

√ √ √
This means that x = −23 and x = 24. Since x should be nonnegative, we only
√
consider x = 24 which further implies that x = 576.

7. Given that x is a real number, find the maximum value of −x2 − 48x + 1148.
Answer: 1724
Solution. Observe that

−x2 − 48x + 1148 = −(x2 + 48x + 576) + 1724 = −(x + 24)2 + 1724,

which means that the vertex of the parabola is at (−24, 1724). Since the parabola opens
downward, thus the maximum value of −x2 − 48x + 1148 is 1724.

8. Let x, y, z, and w be real numbers satisfying the equations



 x2 + 5y 2 = 8

xw − yz = −24

 √
xz + 5yw = 2024.


Find the value of z 2 + 5w2 .

Answer: 613
Solution. Observe that

(x2 + 5y 2 )(z 2 + 5w2 ) = x2 z 2 + 5x2 w2 + 5y 2 z 2 + 25y 2 w2

(x2 + 5y 2 )(z 2 + 5w2 ) = (x2 z 2 + 25y 2 w2 ) + (5x2 w2 + 5y 2 z 2 )
(x2 + 5y 2 )(z 2 + 5w2 ) = (x2 z 2 + 10xyzw + 25y 2 w2 ) + (5x2 w2 − 10xyzw + 5y 2 z 2 )
(x2 + 5y 2 )(z 2 + 5w2 ) = (xz + 5yw)2 + 5(xw − yy)2
√ 2
8 · (z 2 + 5w2 ) = 2024 + 5(−24)2

z 2 + 5w2 = 613.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

 24
9. It is known that x is real, x > 0, and x = 20 + .
24
20 +
20 + · · ·
√
Answer: 10 + 2 31
24
Solution. Let x = 20 + . Note that this can be rewritten as
24
20 +
20 + · · ·

24
x = 20 +
x
2
x = 20x + 24
x2 − 20x − 24 = 0
√
Using the quadratic formula, we obtain x = 10±2 31. Since x must be positive, therefore
√
x = 10 + 2 31.

10. Factor x2 − y 2 + 26x + 34y − 120 completely.

Answer: (x + y − 4)(x − y + 30) or (x − y + 30)(x + y − 4)
Solution. Note that

x2 − y 2 + 26x + 34y − 120 = (x2 + 26x) − (y 2 − 34y) − 120

= (x2 + 26x + 169) − (y 2 − 34y + 289) − 120 − 169 + 289
= (x + 13)2 − (y − 17)2
= (x + 13 + y − 17)(x + 13 − y + 17)
= (x + y − 4)(x − y + 30)

Therefore, x2 − y 2 + 26x + 34y − 120 = (x + y − 4)(x − y + 30).

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

 NUMBER THEORY

11. Now is April. Which month will it be after 20252024 months?

Answer: January
Solution. Observe that
20252024 mod 12 ≡ 92024 mod 12.

However, regardless of what the exponent of 9 is, the remainder of the number modulo
12 will always be equal to 9. Thus, we count 9 months after April, and that is January.

12. Find the remainder when 20392024 is divided by 24.

Answer: 1
Solution. Observe that

20392024 mod 24 ≡ 232024 mod 24 ≡ (−1)2024 mod 24 ≡ 1 mod 24.

Thus, the remainder is 1.

13. If k 6 = 1, 291, 467, 969, find the positive value of k.

Answer: 33
Solution. Assuming that k 6 = 1, 291, 467, 969, we know that k is a positive integer. So we
are looking for the 6th root of 1, 291, 467, 969. We take the first four digits and observe
that
36 = 729 < 1, 291 < 4, 096 = 46

306 = 729, 000, 000 < 1, 291, 467, 969 < 4, 096, 000, 000 = 406

Hence, k is between 30 and 40 but k is closer to 30 based on the inequality above. Now,
we take a look at the last digit of the powers of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 below:

power of 31 : possible last digit: 1

power of 32 : possible last digit: 2, 4, 8, 6
power of 33 : possible last digit: 3, 9, 7, 1
power of 34 : possible last digit: 4, 6
power of 35 : possible last digit: 5

Since the last digit of 1, 291, 467, 969 is 9, we conclude that its 6th root is 33, i.e. k = 33.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

14. What is the largest integral value n that satisfies the inequality n360 ≤ 24540 ?
Answer: 117
Solution. Observe that

n360 ≤ 24540
n2 ≤ 243
√
n ≤ 24 24
√
n ≤ 48 6 ≈ 117.5755

Therefore, the largest integer that satisfies the inequality n360 ≤ 24540 is n = 117.

15. Find the largest 4-digit positive integral solution of the congruence equations
(
20x ≡ 1 mod 11
24x ≡ 6 mod 19

Answer: 9828
Solution. Observe that we can reduce the congruence equations to
( (
20x ≡ 1 mod 11 x ≡ 5 mod 11
=⇒
24x ≡ 6 mod 19 x ≡ 5 mod 19

Since all of the moduli are relatively prime, we know that by the Chinese Remainder
Theorem that this system of linear congruences has a solution modulo the product of the
moduli, i.e., 11 × 19 = 209. We need to find the largest 4-digit number x with remainder
5 at modulo 209. Observe that the largest 4-digit number which is a multiple of 209 is
9823 = 47(209). Therefore, the largest value of x must be 9823 + 5 = 9828.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

 GEOMETRY
√
16. If the area of a triangle with side lengths 37, 38, and 39 is 57 n, find the value of n.
Answer: 120
Solution. Using the Heron’s formula with semiperimeter

37 + 38 + 39
s= = 57,
2

the area of the triangle is given by

p √ √ √
A= 57(57 − 37)(57 − 38)(57 − 39) = 57 · 20 · 19 · 18 = 114 30 = 57 120.

Therefore, n = 120.

17. How many time(s) is the exterior angle of a regular 24-sided polygon as much as the
interior angle?
1
Answer:
11
360◦
Solution. The measure of each exterior angle of the 24-sided polygon is = 15◦ . On
24
the other hand, the measure of each interior angle of the 24-sided polygon is

180◦ (24 − 2)
= 165◦ .
24
15 1
Therefore, the exterior angle of the 24-sided polygon is = times as the interior
165 11
angle.
√ √ √
18. Find the minimum value of 2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x + 2024 11.
√
Answer: 2022 11
Solution: Using Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, observe that
 √ √ 2
2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x ≤ (20 + 24) sin2 x + cos2 x


 √ √ 2
2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x ≤ 44
√ √ √ √
−2 11 ≤ 2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x ≤ 2 11
√ √ √ √ √ √ √
−2 11 + 2024 11 ≤ 2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x + 2024 11 ≤ 2 11 + 2024 11
√ √ √ √ √
2022 11 ≤ 2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x + 2024 11 ≤ 2026 11
√ √ √ √
Therefore, the minimum value of 2 5 sin x + 2 6 cos x + 2024 11 is 2022 11.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

19. Find the area enclosed by the x-axis, y-axis, and the straight line 11x − 13y = 286.
Answer: 286 square units
Solution. Observe that the region formed by the x-axis, y-axis, and the straight line
11x − 13y = 572 is a right triangle. Also, the x- and y -intercepts are (26, 0) and (0, −22),
respectively. Therefore, the area is given by

1 1
A = (26)(22) = (572) = 286 unit square.
2 2

20. Find the area of the quadrilateral formed by the points A(8, 6), B(−4, −3), C(−5, 4), and
D(11, −2) in the Cartesian coordinate system.
Answer: 108 square units
Solution. To easily solve the area of the quadrilateral, we denote by , let (x1 , y1 ) = (8, 6),
(x2 , y2 ) = (11, −2), (x3 , y3 ) = (−4, −3), and (x4 , y4 ) = (−5, 4) and use the Surveyor’s
Formula as follows:

1 x 1 x2 x3 x4 x1
∆=
2 y1 y2 y3 y4 y1
1 8 11 −4 −5 8
=
2 6 −2 −3 4 6
1
= (8 · −2 + 11 · −3 − 4 · 4 − 5 · 6) − (11 · 6 − 4 · −2 − 5 · −3 + 8 · 4)
2
1
= (−16 − 33 − 16 − 30) − (66 + 8 + 15 + 32)
2
1
= − 95 − 121
2
∆ = 108 square units

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

 COMBINATORICS

21. If x and y are positive integers such that 11x + 23y = 2024, find the maximum value of
x + y.
Answer: 172
11
Solution. Solving for y in terms of x, we have y = 88 − x. Since 11 and 23 are coprime,
23
x must be divisible by 23 for y to be an integer. Also, since x, y > 0,

11
y = 88 − x>0
23
11
x < 88
23
x < 184

Since we are looking for the maximum value of x + y, we need to find the maximum
integer x < 184 that is divisible by 23. That is, x = 161. Substituting this value of
x to the above equation, we obtain y = 11. Therefore, the maximum value of x + y is
161 + 11 = 172.

22. Find the number of integers x such that 44x > x2 + 480.
Answer: 3
Solution. Rearranging the given inequality, we have

44x > x2 + 480 =⇒ x2 − 44x + 480 < 0 =⇒ (x − 20)(x − 24) < 0.

Here, we consider two cases:

Case 1: x − 20 > 0 and x − 24 < 0 =⇒ x > 20 and x < 24 =⇒ Solution: (20, 24)
Case 2: x − 20 < 0 and x − 24 > 0 =⇒ x < 20 and x > 24 =⇒ Solution: ∅
Hence, the solutions for the inequality lie in the interval (20, 24). Therefore, the number
of integral solution for the inequality is 3.

23. A fair 6-sided die is thrown 3 times. Find the probability that the sum of numbers
obtained is 8.
7
Answer:
72
Solution. Note that the total number of possible outcomes is 63 = 216. Now, the following
are the outcomes with sum 8:

sum of 8 : (1, 1, 6), (1, 6, 1), (6, 1, 1)

(1, 2, 5), (1, 5, 2), (2, 1, 5), (2, 5, 1), (5, 1, 2), (5, 2, 1)

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2

 (1, 3, 4), (1, 4, 3), (3, 1, 4), (3, 4, 1), (4, 1, 3), (4, 3, 1)
(2, 3, 3), (3, 2, 3), (3, 3, 2)
(2, 2, 4), (2, 4, 2), (4, 2, 2)

21 7
Therefore, the probability that the sum of numbers obtained is 8 is = .
216 72
24. Find the number of sets of negative integral solutions of a + b > −2024.
Answer: 2045253
Solution. Counting the number of sets of negative integral solutions of a + b > −2024 is
the same as counting the number of sets of positive integral solutions of −a − b < 2024.
Now, using the stars and bars formula where n = 2024 and k = 2 the number of variables,
the number of sets of positive integral solutions of −a − b < 2024 is given by
     
n−1 2024 − 1 2023
= = = 2045253.
k 2 2

25. Suppose that 4 cards are drawn from an ordinary poker deck of 52 playing cards one by
one without replacement. Find the probability of getting of four the same letter cards.
4
Answer:
270725
Solution. The letter cards in a standard deck of cards are A, J, Q, and K with 4 dif-
ferent suits each. Thus, the probability of drawing four the same letter cards without
replacement is
16 3 2 1 96 4
· · · = = .
52 51 50 49 6497400 270725

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 2