2021 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 12

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The following problem is from both the 2021 AMC 10B #19 and 2021 AMC 12B #12, so both problems redirect to this page.

Problem

Suppose that $S$ is a finite set of positive integers. If the greatest integer in $S$ is removed from $S$, then the average value (arithmetic mean) of the integers remaining is $32$. If the least integer in $S$ is also removed, then the average value of the integers remaining is $35$. If the greatest integer is then returned to the set, the average value of the integers rises to $40$. The greatest integer in the original set $S$ is $72$ greater than the least integer in $S$. What is the average value of all the integers in the set $S$?

$\textbf{(A) }36.2 \qquad \textbf{(B) }36.4 \qquad \textbf{(C) }36.6\qquad \textbf{(D) }36.8 \qquad \textbf{(E) }37$

Solution 1 (Thorough)

Let \( A \) denote the smallest positive integer in the set, \( B \) denote the largest, and \( n \) be the other numbers in the set, with \( S(n) \) being their sum.

We can then say that \( \frac{A+S(n)}{n+1} = 32 \), \( \frac{S(n)}{n} = 35 \), and \( \frac{B+S(n)}{n+1} = 40 \).

Expanding gives us \( A+S(n) = 32n+32 \), \( S(n) = 35n \), and \( B+S(n) = 40n+40 \).

Substituting \( S(n) = 35n \) to all gives us \( A+35n=32n+32 \) and \( B+35n=40n+40 \).

Solving for \( A \) and \( B \) gives \( A=-3n+32 \) and \( B = 5n+40 \).

We now need to find \( \frac{S(n)+A+B}{n+2} \). We substitute everything to get \( \frac{35n+(-3n+32)+(5n+40)}{n+2} \), or \( \frac{37n+72}{n+2} \).

Say that the answer to this is \( Z \), then, \( Z \) needs to be a number that makes \( n \) a positive integer.

The only options that work is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) }36.6}$ and $\boxed{\textbf{(D) }36.8}$. However, if 36.6 is an option, we get \( n=3 \). So that means that one number is \(23\) and the other is \(55\), and \( S(n)=105 \).

But if there is 3 terms, then the middle number is (\105\), but we said that \( B \) is the largest number in the set, so therefore our answer cannot be $\boxed{\textbf{(C) }36.6}$ and is instead \boxed{\textbf{(D) }36.8}$and now, we're finished!

~Pinotation

==Solution 2== Let the lowest value be$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)L$and the highest$G$, and let the sum be$Z$and the amount of numbers$n$. We have$\frac{Z-G}{n-1}=32$,$\frac{Z-L-G}{n-2}=35$,$\frac{Z-L}{n-1}=40$, and$G=L+72$. Clearing denominators gives$Z-G=32n-32$,$Z-L-G=35n-70$, and$Z-L=40n-40$. We use$G=L+72$to turn the first equation into$Z-L=32n+40$. Since$Z-L=40(n-1)$we substitute it into the equation which gives$n=10$. Turning the second into$Z-2L=35n+2$using$G=L+72$we see$L=8$and$Z=368$so the average is$\frac{Z}{n}=\boxed{\textbf{(D) }36.8}$~aop2014

==Solution 3== Let$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)x$be the greatest integer,$y$be the smallest,$z$be the sum of the numbers in S excluding$x$and$y$, and$k$be the number of elements in S.

Then,$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)S=x+y+z$First, when the greatest integer is removed,$\frac{S-x}{k-1}=32$When the smallest integer is also removed,$\frac{S-x-y}{k-2}=35$When the greatest integer is added back,$\frac{S-y}{k-1}=40$We are given that$x=y+72$After you substitute$x=y+72$, you have 3 equations with 3 unknowns$S,$,$y$and$k$.$S-y-72=32k-32$$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)S-2y-72=35k-70$$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)S-y=40k-40$This can be easily solved to yield$k=10$,$y=8$,$S=368$.$\therefore$average value of all integers in the set$=S/k = 368/10 = \boxed{\textbf{(D) }36.8}$~ SoySoy4444

==Solution 4== We should plug in$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)36.2$and assume everything is true except the$35$part. We then calculate that part and end up with$35.75$. We also see with the formulas we used with the plug in that when you increase by$0.2$the$35.75$part decreases by$0.25$. The answer is then$\boxed{\textbf{(D) }36.8}$. You can work backwards because it is multiple choice and you don't have to do critical thinking. ~Lopkiloinm

==Solution 5== Let$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)S = \{a_1, a_2, a_3, \hdots, a_n\}$with$a_1 < a_2 < a_3 < \hdots < a_n.$We are given the following: <cmath>{\begin{cases} \sum_{i=1}^{n-1} a_i = 32(n-1) = 32n-32, \\ \sum_{i=2}^n a_i = 40(n-1) = 40n-40, \\ \sum_{i=2}^{n-1} a_i = 35(n-2) = 35n-70, \\ a_n-a_1 = 72 \implies a_1 + 72 = a_n. \end{cases}}</cmath> Subtracting the third equation from the sum of the first two, we find that <cmath>\sum_{i=1}^n a_i = \left(32n-32\right) + \left(40n-40\right) - \left(35n-70\right) = 37n - 2.</cmath> Furthermore, from the fourth equation, we have <cmath>\sum_{i=2}^{n} a_i - \sum_{i=1}^{n-1} a_i = \left[\left(a_1 + 72\right) + \sum_{i=2}^{n-1} a_i\right] - \left[\left(a_1\right) + \sum_{i=2}^{n-1} a_i\right] = \left(40n-40\right)-\left(32n-32\right).</cmath> Combining like terms and simplifying, we have <cmath>72 = 8n-8 \implies 8n = 80 \implies n=10.</cmath> Thus, the sum of the elements in$S$is$37 \cdot 10 - 2 = 368,$and since there are 10 elements in$S,$the average of the elements in$S$is$\tfrac{368}{10}=\boxed{\textbf{(D) }36.8}$~peace09

==Solution 6== Let$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)n$be the number of elements in$S, m_l = 32, \Sigma_l = m_l \cdot (n-1), m_g = 40, \Sigma_g = m_g \cdot (n-1), m_{lg} = 35, \Sigma_lg = m_{lg} \cdot (n-2).$ \[\Sigma_g - \Sigma_l = 72 = (n-1) \cdot (m_g - m_l) \implies n = 1 + \frac {72}{m_g - m_l} = 1 + \frac {72}{40-32}=10.\] \[m = \frac {\Sigma_g + \Sigma_l - \Sigma_{lg}}{n} = \frac {40 \cdot 9 + 32 \cdot 9 - 35 \cdot 8}{10} = 36.8.\] vladimir.shelomovskii@gmail.com, vvsss

Video Solution by OmegaLearn (System of equations)

https://youtu.be/dRdT9gzm-Pg

~ pi_is_3.14

Video Solution by Hawk Math

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4iCAZRUESs

Video Solution by TheBeautyofMath

https://youtu.be/FV9AnyERgJQ?t=676

~IceMatrix

Video Solution by Interstigation

https://youtu.be/TbHluJQoy8s

~Interstigation

See Also

2021 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions
2021 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 18
Followed by
Problem 20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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