2002 AMC 10A Problem 11
Problem 11 of 25IntermediateAlgebra
Jamal wants to store computer files on floppy disks, each of which has a capacity of megabytes (mb). Three of his files require mb of memory each, more require mb each, and the remaining require mb each. No file can be split between floppy disks. What is the minimal number of floppy disks that will hold all the files?
Answer choices
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Solution
The files need mb. On any disk holding a mb file, only one mb file fits alongside it (since ), leaving at least mb wasted. Across the three such disks that is at least mb, so the effective demand is at least mb, requiring at least disks.
This is achievable: disks each hold one file and one file, disks each hold two files, and disks each hold three files.
Thus, the correct answer is B.