Skip to main content

2002 AMC 10A Problem 11

Problem 11 of 25IntermediateAlgebra

Jamal wants to store 3030 computer files on floppy disks, each of which has a capacity of 1.441.44 megabytes (mb). Three of his files require 0.80.8 mb of memory each, 1212 more require 0.70.7 mb each, and the remaining 1515 require 0.40.4 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

Show solution

Solution

The files need 3(0.8)+12(0.7)+15(0.4)3(0.8)+12(0.7)+15(0.4) =16.8=16.8 mb. On any disk holding a 0.80.8 mb file, only one 0.40.4 mb file fits alongside it (since 0.8+0.7>1.440.8+0.7\gt 1.44), leaving at least 0.240.24 mb wasted. Across the three such disks that is at least 0.720.72 mb, so the effective demand is at least 16.8+0.72=17.5216.8+0.72=17.52 mb, requiring at least 17.521.44=13\left\lceil\dfrac{17.52}{1.44}\right\rceil=13 disks. This is achievable: 33 disks each hold one 0.80.8 file and one 0.40.4 file, 66 disks each hold two 0.70.7 files, and 44 disks each hold three 0.40.4 files. Thus, the correct answer is B.

More practice

Concepts: optimization · bounding to limit cases

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.