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2024 AMC 10A Problem 4

Problem 4 of 25EasierAlgebraProblem-Solving Techniques

The number 20242024 is written as the sum of not necessarily distinct two-digit numbers. What is the least number of two-digit numbers needed to write this sum?

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Solution

Each two-digit number is at most 99,99, so kk of them sum to at most 99k.99k. We need 99k≥2024,99k \ge 2024, which forces k≥20.4,k \ge 20.4, so k≥21.k \ge 21. And 2121 really works: twenty 9999s plus one 4444 give 1980+44=2024.1980 + 44 = 2024. Therefore, the answer is B.
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Tagged: inequality · bounding to limit cases · optimization

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