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2002 AMC 12B Problem 14

Problem 14 of 25IntermediateCounting & Probability

Four distinct circles are drawn in a plane. What is the maximum number of points where at least two of the circles intersect?

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Solution

Each pair of circles meets in at most 22 points, and there are (42)=6\binom{4}{2}=6 pairs, giving at most 62=126\cdot2=12 intersection points. The bound is attainable by taking four circles in general position so that every pair crosses twice and no three pass through the same point. Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Concepts: counting intersections · counting pairs

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