LOGICAL THINKING

1. There are n blue, yellow, red, green, orange, and purple balls each in a bag and balls are
drawn from it. If the rest are all red after drawing the 2024th ball, find the difference
between the maximum and the minimum values of n.
Answer: 66
Solution. The maximum value of n corresponds  to the
 case where almost every colored
2024
balls, except for red, are drawn, i.e., nmax = = 404. On the other hand, the
5
minimum value of n corresponds to drawing all the colored  balls,
 including some of the
2024
red balls since 2024 is not divisible by 5. That is, nmin = = 338. Therefore, the
6
difference is nmax − nmin = 404 − 338 = 66.

2. There are n lines on a circle which separate the circle into 562 parts. Find the maximum
value of n.
Answer: 33
Solution. The formula in finding the maximum number of regions into which a plane can
1
be cut by n lines is given by f (n) = (n2 + n + 2). Hence, using this formula, we have
2
1 2
(n + n + 2) = 562
2
n2 + n + 2 = 1124
n2 + n − 1122 = 0
(n − 33)(n + 34) = 0

Thus, the maximum number of lines is n = 33.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 8 + x2
3. How many integral solution(s) is/are there for x if 20 < < 24?
5
Answer: 2
Solution. Observe that

8 + x2
20 < < 24
5
100 < 8 + x2 < 120
92 < x2 < 112

Hence, the only integers that will satisfy the inequality are 10 and −10.

4. There are 495 pairs of white chopsticks, 500 pairs of yellow chopsticks, and 511 pairs of
brown chopsticks mixed together. Close your eyes. If you want to get 3 pairs of chopsticks
with different colors, at least how many piece(s) of chopstick(s) is/are needed to be taken?
Answer: 2024
Solution. In order to obtain the least number of chopsticks needed to be taken, we need
to get the two group of colored chopsticks with the most number of pairs ans simply add
a pair of chopsticks from the least colored group. In this case, we need at least

2(500) + 2(511) + 2 = 2024

pieces of chopsticks to get 3 pairs with different color.

5. In a quiz, no two students had the same score and the score of each student is equal to
n + 2 − 2k where n is a constant and k is the rank of that student. If the total score of
all participants is 2024, find the smallest possible value of n.
Answer: 89
Solution. Let m be the number of students taking the quiz. Then,

2024 = n + (n − 2) + (n − 4) + · · · + [n − 2(m − 1)]

2024 = mn − 2[1 + 2 + · · · + (m − 1)]
2024 = mn − m(m − 1)
2024 = mn − m2 + m
2024
n= +m−1
m

Observe that m must be a factor of 2024. By checking, both m = 44 and m = 46 give

the smallest value of n which is 89.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 ALGEBRA

6. Find the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of (3x2 − 2x + 5)4 .

Answer: 2100
Solution. Using the expansion of the trinomial, we have

X  4  X  4 
2 4 2 a b c
(3x − 2x + 5) = · (3x ) · (−2x) · 5 = · 3a · (−2)b · 5c · x2a+b
a,b,c≥0
a, b, c a,b,c≥0
a, b, c

 
4 4!
where a, b, c ≥ 0, a + b + c = 4 and = . Since a + b + c = 4, the only possible
a, b, c a!b!c!
triples (a, b, c) so that 2a + b = 2 are (1, 0, 3) and (0, 2, 2). Therefore, the coefficient of x2
is given by
   
4 1 0 3 4
· 3 · (−2) · 5 + · 30 · (−2)2 · 52
1, 0, 3 0, 2, 2
4! 4!
= · 31 · (−2)0 · 53 + · 30 · (−2)2 · 52
1!0!3! 0!2!2!
= (4)(3)(1)(125) + (6)(1)(4)(25)
= 1500 + 600
= 2100

Therefore, the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of (3x2 − 2x + 5)4 is 2100.

√
3
√
3
√
3
7. Find the value of x if log2024 x + 1+4 log2024 x2 − 64−1 = log2024 x3 + x2 − 64x − 64.
√
Answer: 6 58
Solution. Using the properties of logarithms, we have
√3
√
3
√
3
log2024 x + 1 + 4 log2024 x2 − 64 = log2024 x3 + x2 − 64x − 64 + 1
√ √
3
√3
√
log2024 3 x + 1 + 4 log2024 x2 − 64 = log2024 ( x2 − 64)( 3 x + 1) + 1
√ √
3
√
3
√
log2024 3 x + 1 + 4 log2024 x2 − 64 = log2024 x2 − 64 + log2024 3 x + 1 + 1
√
3
3 log2024 x2 − 64 = 1
log2024 (x2 − 64) = 1
x2 − 64 = 2024
x2 = 2088
√
x = ±6 58
√
We cannot take x = −6 58 since the given equation will be undefined. Thus, the only
√
solution is x = 6 58.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 28
8. If x = 7 − , find the minimum value of x.
2
7+
28
7−
7 + ···
√ √
19 − 753 19 753
Answer: or −
14 14 14
Solution. Let x be the expression. Observe that

28
x=7−
2
7+
x
28x
x=7−
7x + 2
2
7x + 2x = 49x + 14 − 28x
7x2 − 19x − 14 = 0.

Using the quadratic formula, we have

p √
−(−19) ± (−19)2 − 4(7)(−14) 19 ± 753
x= = .
2(7) 14
√
19 − 753
Therefore, the minimum value is x = .
14
9. If k is a negative integer, find the maximum value of k such that (k−2)x2 +(k−2)x−2 = 0
has real root(s).
Answer: −6
Solution. To find the integer values of k such that (k − 2)x2 + (k − 2)x − 2 = 0 has real
root(s), its discriminant must be greater than or equal to 0. Now,

(k − 2)2 − 4(k − 2)(−2) ≥ 0

k 2 − 4k + 4 + 8k − 16 ≥ 0
k 2 + 4k − 12 ≥ 0
(k + 6)(k − 2) ≥ 0

Solving the quadratic inequality we have k ≤ −6 or k ≥ 2. Therefore, the maximum

negative integer value of k must be −6.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

10. Factor x4 − 2x3 − 44x2 + 18x + 315 completely.
Answer: (x − 3)(x + 3)(x − 7)(x + 5)
Solution. Observe that

x4 − 2x3 − 44x2 + 18x + 315 = (x4 − 44x2 + 315) − (2x3 − 18x)

= (x2 − 9)(x2 − 35) − 2x(x2 − 9)
= (x2 − 9)(x2 − 2x − 35)
= (x − 3)(x + 3)(x − 7)(x + 5)

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 NUMBER THEORY

11. Find the value of the last 2 digits of A if A = 1 + 3 + 5 + · · · + (1 + 2 · 2023) + (1 + 2 · 2024).

Answer: 25
Solution. To find the last 2 digits, we express A in terms of the summation taking modulo
100. That is,

2024
X
last two digits of A ≡ (1 + 2n) mod 100
n=0
" 2024
#
X
≡ 1+ (1 + 2n) mod 100
n=1
" 2024 2024
#
X X
≡ 1+ 1+2 n mod 100
n=1 n=1
  
24 · 25
≡ 1 + (24)(1) + 2 mod 100
2
≡ 625 mod 100
≡ 25 mod 100

Therefore, the last 2 digits of A is 25.

12. If k 2 + (n − 293)k − 957 = 0 and n = 1 + 3 + 5 + · · · + k, find the integer value(s) of k.

Answer: 33
Solution. Note that the sum of the first m odd numbers is given by

1 + 3 + 5 + · · · + (2m − 1) = m2 .

(k + 1)2
This means that k = 2m − 1 and n = m2 which further implies that n = . Thus,
4

(k + 1)2
 
2 2
k + (n − 293)k − 957 = k + − 293 k − 957
4
0 = 4k 2 + (k 2 + 2k − 1171)k − 3828
0 = k 3 + 6k 2 − 1171k − 3828
0 = (k − 33)(k 2 + 39k + 116)

Therefore, the only integer value of k is 33.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

13. Find the remainder when 20242023 is divided by 13.
Answer: 9
Solution. Observe that

20242023 mod 13 ≡ 92023 mod 13

≡ 93·674+1 mod 13
≡ (93 )674 · 9 mod 13
≡ (728)674 · 9 mod 13
≡ (−1)674 · 9 mod 13
≡ 9 mod 13

Therefore, the remainder is 9.

(
7x ≡ 1 mod 5
14. Find the smallest positive integral solution of the congruence system
3x ≡ 1 mod 7.
Answer: 33
Solution. Note that
( (
7x ≡ 1 mod 5 x ≡ 3 mod 5
=⇒
3x ≡ 1 mod 7 x ≡ 5 mod 7

Let m = m1 · m2 = 5 · 7 = 35. Also, note that

M1 = m ÷ m1 = m2 = 7
M2 = m ÷ m2 = m1 = 5

Moreover,

7M1−1 ≡ 1 mod 5 =⇒ M1−1 ≡ 3 mod 5

5M2−1 ≡ 1 mod 7 =⇒ M2−1 ≡ 3 mod 7

Furthermore,

x ≡ [(7 · 3 · 3) + (5 · 3 · 5)] mod (5 · 7)

≡ 138 mod 35
≡ 33 mod 35

Therefore, the smallest positive integral solution is x = 33.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 r q
p √
15. It is known that x > 0 and x = 256 4 256 4 · · ·. Find the value of x.
Answer: 4096
r q
p √
Solution. Let x = 256 4 256 4 · · ·. Note that

√
q
x = 256 4 x
√ q√
x = 256 · 4 · x
1 1
x = 44 · 4 2 · x 4
3 9
x4 = 42
 9  43
x = 42

x = 46
x = 4096

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 GEOMETRY

16. Find the area enclosed by the y-axis and the straight lines x + 9y = 63 and 3y = 4x − 18.
117 1
Answer: or 58 or 58.5
2 2
Solution. Note that the region obtained is a triangle. Solving for the intersection of the
two lines, we obtain x = 9 and y = 6. Observe that the height of the triangle corresponds
to the x coordinate of the point of intersection of the two lines, i.e., h = 9. Also, the
y-intercepts of the two lines are y = −6 and y = 7, respectively. Therefore, the area is
given by
1h i 117
A = 7 − (−6) (9) = sq. units.
2 2
17. An interior angle of an n-sided regular polygon is (18n − 9)◦ . Find the maximum value
of n.
Answer: 8
Solution. Recall that the sum of the interior angles of an n-sided polygon is 180(n − 2)◦ .
If each of the interior angle measures (18n − 9)◦ , then

180(n − 2) = n(18n − 9)
20(n − 2) = n(2n − 1)
20n − 40 = 2n2 − n
2n2 − 21n + 40 = 0
(2n − 5)(n − 8) = 0

Since n must be a positive integer, therefore, the maximum value of n is 8.

√
18. If the area of a triangle with side lengths 36, 28, and 30 is a × b × c × d and a ̸= b ̸=
c ̸= d ̸= 1, find the value of a + b + c + d.
Answer: 94
Solution. Using the Heron’s Formula with semiperimeter

36 + 28 + 30 94
s= = = 47
2 2

we have
√ p √
a×b×c×d= 47(47 − 36)(47 − 28)(47 − 30) = 47 · 11 · 19 · 17.

Since the radicand is a product of relatively prime numbers, without loss of generality we
may have a = 47, b = 11, c = 19, and d = 17 so that a + b + c + d = 47 + 11 + 19 + 17 = 94.

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 24 sec x − tan x
19. It is known that x is an acute angle and satisfies sin x = . Find the value of .
25 1 + tan2 x
7
Answer:
625
Solution. Using the Pythagorean identity cos2 x + sin2 x = 1, and the given value of cos x,
we have

2 2 2 242 49 7
cos x = 1 − sin x =⇒ cos x = 1 − 2 =⇒ cos2 x = =⇒ cos x = .
25 625 25

Now, utilizing some trigonometric identities,

sec x − tan x sec x − tan x

2
= 2
1 + tan x  sec x 
1 sin x
= − · cos2 x
cos x cos x
 
1 − sin x
= · cos2 x
cos x
= (1 − sin x) · cos x
 
24 7
= 1− ·
25 25
1 7
= ·
25 25
sec x − tan x 7
2
= .
1 + tan x 625

20. A straight line 3x + 9y − 45 = 0 separates a circle x2 + y 2 + 12x − 14y − 15 = 0 into 2

parts. Find the value of the product of the area of these 2 parts. (Answer in π)
Answer: 2500π 2
Solution. Observe that the equation of the circle can be rewritten as

x2 + y 2 + 12x − 14y − 15 = 0
(x2 + 12x) + (y 2 − 14y) = 15
(x2 + 12x + 36) + (y 2 − 14y + 49) = 15 + 36 + 49
(x + 6)2 + (y − 7)2 = 102

This means that the center of the circle is at (−6, 7) and with radius 10. Hence, the area
of the entire circle is 100π. Also, observe that the line bisects the circle into two equal
parts. Thus, the product of the area of these two parts is 50π × 50π = 2500π 2 .

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

 COMBINATORICS

21. Thirty cards are marked from 51 to 80 and 2 are drawn at random. Find the probability
that one card drawn is a multiple of 5 and another is a multiple of 7.
23
Answer:
435
Solution. Observe that the set {55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80} are the cards marked with numbers
multiple of 5 and {56, 63, 70, 77} are of multiple 7. Consider the following cases:

Case 1: One number is a multiple of 5 and another is a multiple of 7, none of which is 70.
5
The probability that a number is a multiple of 5 but not the number 70 is while the
30
3
probability that a number is a multiple of 7 but not the number 70 is . Since there are
29
2 ways to do these, hence we have

5 3 30
2× × = .
30 29 870

Case 2: One number is 70 and the other is a multiple of 5.

1
The probability that a number is 70 is and the probability that the other number is
30
5
a multiple of 5 is . Since there are 2 ways to do these, hence we have
29
1 5 10
2× × = .
30 29 870

Case 3: One number is 70 and the other is a multiple of 7.

1
The probability that a number is 70 is and the probability that the other number is
30
3
a multiple of 7 is . Since there are 2 ways to do these, hence we have
29
1 3 6
2× × = .
30 29 870

30 10 6 46 23
Adding all these cases, we have + + = = .
870 870 870 870 435
22. There are 8 identical blue crayons, 3 identical black crayons, and 4 identical red crayons
put from left to right. How many way(s) of arrangements is/are there?
Answer: 225225
Solution. Since each set of the colored crayons are identical, we have

(8 + 3 + 4)! 15! 15 × 14 × 13 × 12 × 11 × 10 × 9 × 8!
= = = 225225.
8! × 3! × 4! 8! × 3! × 4! 8! × 3 × 2 × 1 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

23. There are 2024 balls in a box composed of 698 white, 672 black, and 654 red. A person
draws a ball randomly from the box. If a white ball is drawn, then he wins. If a black
ball is drawn, then he lost. If a red ball is drawn, then he can draw again from the box.
Find the probability that the person loses.
336
Answer:
685
Solution. Note that the odds can be seen as the chance of losing to the chance of winning.
Hence, the chance of losing is 672 out of 2024 while the chance of winning is 698 out of
2024. Therefore, the probability of losing is

672 672 336

P (losing) = = = .
698 + 672 1370 685

24. In a drawer, there are x white gloves and y red gloves with x > y and x + y ≤ 2024. When
two gloves are drawn at random, the probability that the two gloves are of the same color
1
is exactly . Find the largest possible value of x.
2
Answer: 990
Solution. The number of ways of selecting two gloves of the same color is C2x + C2y while
the number of ways of selecting two gloves of different color is xy. Since the probability
1
that the two gloves are of the same color is exactly , thus
2

C2x + C2y = xy
x(x − 1) y(y − 1)
+ = xy
2 2
x2 − x + y 2 − y = 2xy
x2 − 2xy + y 2 = x + y
(x − y)2 = x + y.

Now, since
(x − y) + (x + y) (x − y) + (x − y)2
x= = ,
2 2
maximizing x is equivalent to maximizing x−y. As (x−y)2 = x+y ≤ 2024, the maximum
possible value of x − y = 44. This corresponds to x + y = 442 = 1936. Therefore, the
maximum value of x is

(x − y) + (x + y) 44 + 1936
= = 990.
2 2

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1

25. There are 52 cards marked with numbers 1 to 13 and there are 4 cards of each number.
If we pick 6 cards randomly, what is the probability that the 6 cards are marked with
different numbers?
67584
Answer:
195755
Solution. Without restriction, the number of ways to draw 6 cards is C652 . Hence, the
probability of drawing 6 cards marked with different numbers is

C613 × (C14 )6 7028736 67584

52
= = .
C6 20358520 195755

VTAMPS 16 Senior Secondary Set 1