SENIOR SECONDARY SET 1

Logical Thinking
1. 31st August, 2022 is Wednesday, which date of the week will 13th November, 2027
be?
2. If ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑 + ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑏𝑐𝑑𝑎 + ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑐𝑑𝑎𝑏 + ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑑𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 39996, calculate 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑.
3. There are 60 pieces of white chopsticks, 47 pieces of yellow chopsticks and 12
pieces of brown chopsticks mixed together. Close your eyes. If you want to 1 pairs of
chopsticks that is not white colour and 3 pairs of chopsticks that is not brown
colour, at least how many piece(s) of chopstick(s) is / are needed to be taken?
4. There are 30 problems in a mathematics competition. The scores of each problem
are allocated in the following ways: 2 marks will be given for a correct answer, 1
marks will be deducted from a wrong answer and 0 marks will be given for a blank
answer. Find the minimum number of candidate(s) to ensure that 4 candidates will
have the same scores in the competition.
5. According to the pattern shown below, what is the number in the blank?
2 、 4 、 9 、 17 、 28、 42 、 __ 、….

Algebra

6. Find the value of x if log 2 𝑥 2 − log 2 2log2 𝑥 = 3.

7. Factorize 𝑥 3 − 13𝑥 − 12.
8. Simplify √27 + 12√5 .
9. Find the coefficient of 𝑥 4 in the expansion of (5 + 𝑥 − 3𝑥 3 )5.
10. If p is an integer, p<0, find the value of p such that (𝑝 − 1)𝑥 2 − 4𝑝𝑥 + 3𝑝 = 0 has
one real root.
Answer: -3
Number Theory
11. Now is Friday. Which day of the week will it be after 199211 days?
 12. Find the smallest positive integral solution of congruence equations
3𝑥 ≡ 4(𝑚𝑜𝑑 7)
{
5𝑥 ≡ 3(𝑚𝑜𝑑 11)
13. Given that 𝐴013680𝐵84 is a 10-digit number which is divisible by 66 find the
maximum value of 𝐴 + 𝐵.
128
14. It is known that x is rational, 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑥 = 8 + 128 . Find the value of x.
8+ 128
8+
8+⋯
15. Find the unit digit of A if 𝐴 = 8 + 2 × 82 + 3 × 83 + 4 × 84 + ⋯ + 99 × 899 + 100 ×
8100 .

Geometry
16. For four points on a coordinate
plane 𝐴(−9, −11), 𝐵(−8, −7), 𝐶(−5, −7), 𝐷(−5, −10), find the area of the convex
quadrilateral formed by using those four points as vertices.
1+sin 2𝑥
17. Find the minimum value of .
cos 𝑥+sin 𝑥
2
18. Find the area enclosed by the 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 3 and the straight line 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 3.
19. If point O is the centroid of the biggest triangle and the area of the biggest triangle is
414, find the area of the shaded region.

Question 19

20. As shown in the figure below, ABCD is a square with length 15. If the radius of the
smaller circle is half of the bigger circle, find the area of smaller circle. (Answer in
terms of surd form and 𝜋)
 A B

C 15 D

Question 20

Combinatorics
21. It is known that 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 𝑒 are integers and all of them are greater than 3.
Find the number of solution sets of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 𝑒 = 41.
22. Find the number of the permutation(s) arranging 4 identical bowls, 2 identical cups
and 3 identical dishes in a row.
23. A fair 6-faced die is thrown 8 times. Find the probability that the product of
numbers obtained is even number.
24. Alice draws 6 balls randomly from a bag with 8 black balls and 8 white balls. Find
the probability that at least 2 white balls are drawn.
25. Find the number of all integral solutions of the equation of 10𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 5𝑥𝑦.
 SENIOR SECONDARY SET 1
SOLUTION MANUAL

Logical Thinking
1. 31st August, 2022 is Wednesday, which date of the week will 13th November, 2027
be?
Answer: Saturday
Solution: From August 31, 2022 to August 31, 2027 there are (365*5+1) days and
(30+31+13) days from August 31, 2028 to November 13, 2027.

1826 + 74
= 271 𝑅3
7
Three days from Wednesday is Saturday

̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ + 𝑏𝑐𝑑𝑎
2. If 𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑 ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ + 𝑐𝑑𝑎𝑏
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ + 𝑑𝑎𝑏𝑐
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ = 39996, calculate 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑.
Answer: 36
Solution: Since a, b, c, d are the digits of the 4-digit number we can express each of
the four digit numbers as follows,
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑 = 1000(𝑎) + 100(𝑏) + 10(𝑐) + 1(𝑑)
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑏𝑐𝑑𝑎 = 1000(𝑏) + 100(𝑐) + 10(𝑑) + 1(𝑎)
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑐𝑑𝑎𝑏 = 1000(𝑐) + 100(𝑑) + 10(𝑎) + 1(𝑏)
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑑𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 1000(𝑑) + 100(𝑎) + 10(𝑏) + 1(𝑐)
Substituting we get,
1000(𝑎) + 100(𝑏) + 10(𝑐) + 1(𝑑) + 1000(𝑏) + 100(𝑐) + 10(𝑑) + 1(𝑎) +
1000(𝑐) + 100(𝑑) + 10(𝑎) + 1(𝑏)1000(𝑑) + 100(𝑎) + 10(𝑏) + 1(𝑐) = 39996
Factoring,
(𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑)(1000 + 100 + 10 + 1) = 39996
(𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑)(1111) = 39996
Dividing both sides by 1111,
𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 = 36
 3. There are 60 pieces of white chopsticks, 47 pieces of yellow chopsticks and 12
pieces of brown chopsticks mixed together. Close your eyes. If you want to 1 pairs of
chopsticks that is not white colour and 3 pairs of chopsticks that is not brown
colour, at least how many piece(s) of chopstick(s) is / are needed to be taken?
Answer: 63
Solution: Assuming the worst possible luck and drew all 60 white piece of chopstick
you need 1 pair of either yellow or brown, and assuming the worst possible luck
your drew 1 yellow then 1 brown then 1 yellow or vice versa. So the total piece of
chopsticks taken are 60+3=63.

4. There are 30 problems in a mathematics competition. The scores of each problem

are allocated in the following ways: 2 marks will be given for a correct answer, 1
marks will be deducted from a wrong answer and 0 marks will be given for a blank
answer. Find the minimum number of candidate(s) to ensure that 4 candidates will
have the same scores in the competition.
Answer: 271
Solution: The highest possible score is 60 and the lowest possible score is -30, the
total number of scores would be 91, but having a score of 59 is impossible given the
scoring system. Thus the total possible scores that can be attained is 90.

Using the pigeonhole principle

90(4 − 1) + 1 = 271.

5. According to the pattern shown below, what is the number in the blank?
2 、 4 、 9 、 17 、 28、 42 、 __ 、….
Answer: 59
Solution:
2+2=4
4 + (2+3(1)) = 9
9 + (2+3(2)) = 17
17 + (2+3(3)) = 28
28 + (2+3(4)) = 42
42 + (2+3(5)) = 59

Algebra

6. Find the value of x if log 2 𝑥 2 − log 2 2log2 𝑥 = 3.

Answer: 8
Solution: Using the power rule for logarithms we can express log 2 𝑥 2 −
log 2 2log2 𝑥 = 3 as 2 log 2 𝑥 − (log 2 𝑥)(log 2 2) = 3.
 Factoring,
log 2 𝑥 (2 − log 2 2) = 3

Dividing both sides by 2 − log 2 2,

log 2 𝑥 = 3

Expressing the logarithm as an exponential function,

𝑥 = 23
𝑥=8

7. Factorize 𝑥 3 − 13𝑥 − 12.

Answer: (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 4)
Solution:
𝑎 = 1 (𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 3 ), 𝑏 = 0(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑥 2 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚), 𝑐
= −13(𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥), 𝑑 = −12
𝑏 0
The sum of all roots should be − 𝑎 = 1 = 0
𝑑 12
The product should be 𝑎 = − = −12
1
Since it is a power 3 equation, we need to find three numbers whose sum is 0 and
whose product is -12. We have (−4,1,3). Hence
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 3)

8. Simplify √27 + 12√5 .

Answer: 2√3 + √15
Solution: Squaring the term,
(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 27 + 12√5
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 2𝑎𝑏 = 27 + 12√5
So,
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 27
2𝑎𝑏 = 12√5
𝑎𝑏 = 6√5
𝑎𝑏 = √180
𝑎𝑏 = √12√15
We need to find two numbers whose sum is 27, and product is 180. We have 15 and
12. Thus 𝑎 = √12, 𝑏 = √15
Finally,
2
√27 + 12√5 = √(√12 + √15) = √12 + √15 = 2√3 + √15
 9. Find the coefficient of 𝑥 4 in the expansion of (5 + 𝑥 − 3𝑥 3 )5.
Answer: -7475
Solution: Using Multinomial Theorem,

5!
(5)3 (𝑥)1 (−3𝑥 3 )1 = −7500 𝑥 4
3! × 1! × 1!

5!
(5)1 (𝑥)4 (−3𝑥 3 )0 = 25 𝑥 4
1! × 4! × 0!

−7500 𝑥 4 + 25 𝑥 4 = −7475 𝑥 4

10. If p is an integer, 𝑝 < 0, find the value of p such that (𝑝 − 1)𝑥 2 − 4𝑝𝑥 + 3𝑝 = 0 has
one real root.
Answer: -3
Solution: The discriminant of a quadratic equation with one real root is equal to one
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0
Substituting and simplifying
(−4𝑝)2 − 4(𝑝 − 1)(3𝑝) = 0
16𝑝2 − 12𝑝2 + 12𝑝 = 0
4𝑝2 + 12𝑝 = 0
4𝑝 + 12 = 0
𝑝 = −3

Number Theory
11. Now is Friday. Which day of the week will it be after 199211 days?
Answer: Monday
Solution:
199211 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
199
Dividing 7 yields a remainder of 3 thus,
3211 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
3210 × 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
335(6) × 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
72935 × 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
729
Dividing 7 yields a remainder of 1 thus,
135 × 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
Hence, 3 days from Friday is Monday
12. Find the smallest positive integral solution of congruence equations
3𝑥 ≡ 4(𝑚𝑜𝑑 7)
{
5𝑥 ≡ 3(𝑚𝑜𝑑 11)
Answer: 27
Solution: Simplify the two equations so that they only have the term x on the left
hand side.

3𝑥 = 4 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
3𝑥 = 11 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
3𝑥 = 18 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7
𝑥 = 6 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7

5𝑥 = 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
5𝑥 = 14 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
5𝑥 = 25 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
𝑥 = 5 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11

Converting 𝑥 = 6 𝑚𝑜𝑑 7,
𝑥 = 7𝑎 + 6
Equating the two,
7𝑎 + 6 = 5 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
7𝑎 = −1 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
7𝑎 = 10 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
7𝑎 = 21 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
𝑎 = 3 𝑚𝑜𝑑 11
𝑎 = 11𝑏 + 3

Substituting 𝑎 = 11𝑏 + 3 to 𝑥 = 7𝑎 + 6
𝑥 = 7(11𝑏 + 3) + 6
𝑥 = 77𝑏 + 21 + 6
𝑥 = 77𝑏 + 27
𝑥 = 27 𝑚𝑜𝑑 77

13. Given that 𝐴013680𝐵84 is a 10-digit number which is divisible by 66 find the
maximum value of 𝐴 + 𝐵.
Answer: 18
Solution: The number is divisible by 66 if it is divisible by 2,3,11.
It is divisible by two since the last digit is 4.
Divisible by three if the term A + B+ 30 is divisible by 3
𝐴 + 0 + 1 + 3 + 6 + 8 + 0 + 𝐵 + 8 + 4 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 30
Possible values of A+B are,
3,6,9,12,15,18
 Divisibility rule of 11
𝐴 + 1 + 6 + 0 + 8 = 0 + 3 + 8 + 𝐵 + 4 ± 11𝑧
𝐴 + 15 = 15 + 𝐵 ± 11𝑧
𝐴 = 𝐵 + 11𝑧
If A+B=18 (A=9, and B=9 thus satisfying that it is divisible by both 3 and 11 and
the maximum possible value for each digit)

128
14. It is known that 𝑥 is rational, x  0 and 𝑥 = 8 + 128 . Find the value of x.
8+ 128
8+
8+⋯
Answer: 16
Solution: The variable x can be substituted inside to terminate the infinite pattern.
Then the equation becomes,
128
𝑥 =8+
𝑥
2
𝑥 = 8𝑥 + 128
𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 128 = 0
(𝑥 − 16)(𝑥 + 8) = 0
𝑥 = 16 , −8
Since x is a positive number, therefore the answer is 16.

15. Find the unit digit of A if 𝐴 = 8 + 2 × 82 + 3 × 83 + 4 × 84 + ⋯ + 99 × 899 + 100 ×

8100 .
Answer: 0
Solution: A pattern can be observed when looking at the last digits of the powers of
8
81 = 8
82 = 64
83 = 512
84 = 4096
85 = 32768
The last digits are 8,4,2,6 then it repeats, since the problem asks the units or the last
digit, the equation can be evaluated based on the last digits.
8 + 2(4) + 3(2) + 4(6) + 5(8) + 6(4) + 7(2) + 8(6) + ⋯ + 100(6)

Simplifying,
8(1 + 5 + 9 + ⋯ + 97) + 4(2 + 6 + 10 + ⋯ + 98) + 2(3 + 7 + 11 + ⋯ + 99) + 6(4
+ 8 + 12 + ⋯ + 100)

Using the sum for arithmetic series,

25 25 25 25
8 ( (1 + 97)) + 4 ( (2 + 98)) + 2 ( (3 + 99)) + 6 ( (4 + 100)) = 25150
2 2 2 2
Geometry
16. For four points on a coordinate
plane 𝐴(−9, −11), 𝐵(−8, −7), 𝐶(−5, −7), 𝐷(−5, −10), find the area of the convex
quadrilateral formed by using those four points as vertices.
Answer: 12
Solution: By shoelace method,
(1/2) -9 -8 -5 -5 -9
-11 -7 -7 -10 -11

1
{[(−11)(−8) + (−7)(−5) + (−7)(−5) + (−10)(−9)]
2
− [(−9)(−7) + (−8)(−7) + (−5)(−10) + (−5)(−11)]} = 12

1+sin 2𝑥
17. Find the minimum value of .
cos 𝑥+sin 𝑥
Answer: −√2
Solution: Simplifying we get,
sin2 𝑥 + cos2 𝑥 + 2 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥
(sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥)2
cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥
sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥
Finding the derivative and equating to zero,
𝑑
(sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥
cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥 = 0
cos 𝑥 = sin 𝑥
𝑥 = 45, 225
Since we are to find the minimum value for 𝑥 we use 225
sin 225 + cos 225 = −√2

18. Find the area enclosed by the 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 3 and the straight line 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 3.
125
Answer: 6
Solution: Finding the intersections of the curve and the line
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 3 = 2𝑥 − 3
𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 6 = 0
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 6) = 0
 𝑥 = 1, 𝑥 = 6

Solving for the area,

6
𝐴 = ∫ (2𝑥 − 3) − (𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 3) 𝑑𝑥
1
6
𝐴 = ∫ (−𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 6) 𝑑𝑥
1

𝑥 3 7𝑥 2 6
𝐴 = [− + − 6𝑥] |
3 2 1

(6)3 7(6)2 (1)3 7(1)2

𝐴 = [− + − 6(6)] − [− + − 6(1)]
3 2 3 2
125
𝐴=
6
19. If point O is the centroid of the biggest triangle and the area of the biggest triangle is
414, find the area of the shaded region.

Question 19
 Answer: 69
Solution: Since the medians of the triangle intersects the centroid (point O), the six
smaller triangles are of the same area thus,
1
414 ( ) = 69
6

20. As shown in the figure below, ABCD is a square with length 15. If the radius of the
smaller circle is half of the bigger circle, find the area of smaller circle. (Answer in
terms of surd form and  )

r B

r r
r
r
2r
2r
2r 2r
C 15 2r D

Question 20

Answer: 150𝜋 − 100√2 𝜋

Solution: The diagonal of the smaller square is equal to √2𝑟 and the bigger square is
2√2𝑟. Therefore, the whole diagonal is
√2𝑟 + 2√2𝑟 + 2𝑟 + 𝑟
The side of the square is 15, the diagonal is 15√2, equating this with the above
expression,
15√2 = √2𝑟 + 2√2𝑟 + 2𝑟 + 𝑟
𝑟 = 10 − 5√2
Area of the smaller circle is,
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝐴 = 𝜋(10 − 5√2)2
𝐴 = 150𝜋 − 100√2 𝜋
Combinatorics
21. It is known that 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 𝑒 are integers and all of them are greater than 3.
Find the number of solution sets of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 + 𝑒 = 41.
Answer: 12650
Solution: Using the formula,
(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1 − ∑ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚𝑠)𝐶(𝑘 − 1)

Where n= sum of integers k=number of variable

Since all of the variables are greater than 3, the minimum value for each variable is 4
and since there are five variables so (4 × 5 = 20).

(41 + 5 − 1 − 20)𝐶(5 − 1) = 25𝐶4 = 12650

22. Find the number of the permutation(s) arranging 4 identical bowls, 2 identical cups
and 3 identical dishes in a row.
Answer: 1260
Solution:
(4 + 2 + 3)!
= 1260
4! ∗ 2! ∗ 3!

23. A fair 6-faced die is thrown 8 times. Find the probability that the product of
numbers obtained is even number.
255
Answer: 256
Solution:
𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑑𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 + 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 = 1
Thus,
𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 = 1 − 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑑𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡
We know that it will be odd, if an only if, all 8 numbers are odd. 3 of the 6 numbers
in the dice is odd, hence there is a ½ probability for each dice to be odd. Therefore
1 8
(2) probability for all 8 to be odd.
Hence
1 8 1 255
𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑑𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 = 1 − ( ) = 1 − =
2 256 256

24. Alice draws 6 balls randomly from a bag with 8 black balls and 8 white balls. Find
the probability that at least 2 white balls are drawn.
269
Answer: 286
Solution:
Summation of probabilities = 1
Probability of 0 whites + probability of 1 white + probability of at least 2 whites =1
 8𝐶0×8𝐶6 8𝐶1×8𝐶5
+ + Probability of at least 2 whites whites =1
16𝐶6 16𝐶6
1∗28 8∗56
+ 8008 + Probability of at least 2 whites whites =1
8008
1 16
Probability of at least 2 whites whites =1 − 286 − 286
269
Probability of at least 2 whites = 286

25. Find the number of all integral solutions of the equation of 10𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 5𝑥𝑦.
Answer: 2
Solution:
10𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 5𝑥𝑦
5𝑥𝑦 − 10𝑥 − 7𝑦 = 0
5𝑥𝑦 − 10𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 14 = 14
(5𝑥 − 7)(𝑦 − 2) = 14
Factors of 14,
14 × 1, 7 × 2, −14 × −1, −7 × −2

Equating each of the factors and finding all that have integer solution, we have,

5𝑥 − 7 = −7
𝑦 − 2 = −2
𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0

5𝑥 − 7 = −2
𝑦 − 2 = −7
𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = −5

Hence the answer is 2.