Skip to main content

2022 AMC 10A Problem 14

Problem 14 of 25IntermediateCounting & Probability

How many ways are there to split the integers 11 through 1414 into 77 pairs such that in each pair, the greater number is at least 22 times the lesser number?

Answer choices

Show solution

Solution

The numbers from 88 through 1414 cannot be paired with one another, so they must be paired with the numbers from 11 through 7.7. In particular, 77 must be paired with 14,14, since no other available number is at least twice 7.7. Now let’s look at what the other numbers can pair with. 88 and 99 can pair with any number 14.1-4. 1010 and 1111 can pair with any number 15,1-5, and 1212 and 1313 can pair with any number 16.1-6. 88 can pair with 44 numbers, but then 99 only has 33 options since 88 took one. 1010 then has 33 options, since 22 choices are taken, but it has one more to choose from (5).(5). 1111 then has 22 options, 1212 has 22 options, and 1313 only has 1.1. Multiplying these together yields 43322=144. 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 = 144. Thus, E is the correct answer.

More practice

Concepts: arrangements with restrictions · pairing and grouping · multiplication principle

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