2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 11

Grade 8

1. Since 1000 is 1 more than 999, then 1000 + 1000 = 2000 is 2 more than 999 + 999.
Thus, 999 + 999 = 2000 2 = 1998.
Answer: (C)

2. An equilateral triangle has 3 sides of equal length.

15 m
If the perimeter of an equilateral triangle is 15 m, then the length of each side is = 5 m.
3
Answer: (B)

3. Since 25 ⇥ 4 = 100, then 100 is a multiple of 4.

Therefore, the greatest multiple of 4 less than 100 is 24 ⇥ 4 = 96 (or alternately, 100 4 = 96).
Answer: (B)

4. Points which lie to the right of the y-axis have x-coordinates which are positive.
Points which lie below the x-axis have y-coordinates which are negative.
Point P (x, y) lies to the right of the y-axis and below the x-axis and thus the value of x is
positive and the value of y is negative.
Answer: (B)

5. Substituting x = 6 into each expression and evaluating, we get

(A) 2 + x = 2 + ( 6) (B) 2 x = 2 ( 6) (C) x 1 = 6 1
= 4 = 2+6 = 7
= 8

(D) x = 6 (E) x ÷ 2 = ( 6) ÷ 2
= 3

Of these, 2 x gives the greatest value when x = 6.

Answer: (B)

6. At this rate, it would take 6 seconds to fill a 500 mL bottle.

A 250 mL bottle has half the volume of a 500 mL bottle and so it will take half as long or
3 seconds to fill.
Answer: (C)

7. If the tens digit of a two-digit number is even, then when the digits are reversed the new number
will have a units digit that is even and therefore the number will be even.
If a two-digit number is even, then it is divisible by 2 and so it cannot be a prime number.
Since 29, 23 and 41 each have a tens digit that is even, we may eliminate these three as possible
answers.
When the digits of 53 are reversed, the result is 35.
Since 35 is divisible by 5, it is not a prime number.
Finally, when the digits of 13 are reversed, the result is 31.
Since 31 has no positive divisors other than 1 and 31, it is a prime number.
Answer: (D)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 12

8. When 3 red beans are added to the bag, the number of red beans in the bag is 5 + 3 = 8.
When 3 black beans are added to the bag, the number of black beans in the bag is 9 + 3 = 12.
The number of beans now in the bag is 8 + 12 = 20.
8
If one bean is randomly chosen from the bag, the probability that the bean is red is 20 = 25 .
Answer: (B)

9. We begin by labelling additional points, as shown. D

A E
Beginning at A, the ant may travel right (to D) or down (to F ).
Assume the ant begins by travelling right, to D. From D, if the ant B
F G
continues travelling right (to E) the path cannot pass through B
H C
(since the ant can travel only right or down). I
From D, the ant must travel down to B. From B, there are two paths that end at C, one trav-
elling right to G and then down to C, and another travelling down to I and then right to C.
Therefore, there are two paths in which the ant begins by travelling right: A D B G C
and A D B I C.
Assume the ant begins by travelling down, to F . From F , if the ant continues travelling down
(to H) the path cannot pass through B (since the ant can travel only right or down).
Thus, from F , the ant must travel right to B. From B, there are two paths that end at C, as
discussed above.
Therefore, there are two paths in which the ant begins by travelling down: A F B G C
and A F B I C.
There are 4 di↵erent paths from A to C that pass through B.
Answer: (C)

10. By assigning the largest digits to the largest place values, we form the largest possible four-digit
number.
The largest four-digit number that can be formed by rearranging the digits of 2021 is 2210.
By assigning the smallest digits to the largest place values, we form the smallest possible four-
digit number.
The smallest four-digit number (greater than 1000) that can be formed by rearranging the
digits of 2021 is 1022.
Thus the largest possible di↵erence between two such four-digit numbers is 2210 1022 = 1188.
Answer: (A)

11. Solution 1
P Q and RS intersect at T . Thus, \P T R and \ST Q are vertically opposite angles and so
\P T R = \ST Q = 140 .
Since \P T R = \P T U + \RT U , then
\RT U = \P T R \P T U
= 140 90
= 50
and so the measure of \RT U is 50 .
Solution 2
RS is a line segment and so \RT Q + \ST Q = 180 or \RT Q = 180 140 = 40 .
P Q is a line segment and so \RT Q+\RT U +\P T U = 180 or \RT U = 180 40 90 = 50 .
Answer: (C)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 13

12. Given three consecutive integers, the smallest integer is one less than the middle integer and
the largest integer is one more than the middle integer.
So, the sum of the smallest and largest integers is twice the middle integer.
Then, the sum of three consecutive integers is equal to 3 times the middle integer and so the
sum of three consecutive integers is a multiple of 3.
Of the answers given, the only number that is a multiple of 3 is 21.
Alternately, we could use trial and error to solve this problem to find that 6 + 7 + 8 = 21.
Answer: (D)

13. Reading from the bar graph, there are 8 yellow shirts, 4 red shirts, 2 blue shirts, and 2 green
shirts. In total, the number of shirts is 8 + 4 + 2 + 2 = 16.
8
Thus, 8 yellow shirts represents 16 or 12 of the total number of shirts.
The only circle graph showing that approximately half of the shirts are yellow is (E) and thus
it probably best represents the information in the bar graph.
4
We may confirm that this circle graph also shows that approximately 16 = 14 of the shirts are
2 1 1
red, approximately 16 = 8 of the shirts are green and approximately 8 of the shirts are blue.
Answer: (E)

14. Let the unknown whole number be n.

Since 16 is a factor of n, then each positive factor of 16 is also a factor of n.
That is, the positive factors of n include 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and n.
Since 16 is a factor of n, then n is a positive multiple of 16.
The smallest whole number multiple of 16 is 16.
However, if n = 16, then n has exactly 5 positive factors, namely 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16.
The next smallest whole number multiple of 16 is 32.
If n = 32, then n has exactly 6 positive factors, namely 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32, as required.
Answer: (B)

15. Solution 1
The sum of the three interior angles in a triangle is 180 .
A triangle’s three interior angles are in the ratio 1 : 4 : 7 and so the smallest of the angles
1 1
measures 1+4+7 = 12 of the sum of the three interior angles.
1
Thus, the smallest angle in the triangle meausres 12 of 180 or 180
12
= 15 .
The measure of the next largest angle is 4 times the measure of the smallest angle or
4 ⇥ 15 = 60 .
The measure of the largest angle is 7 times the measure of the smallest angle or 7 ⇥ 15 = 105 .
The measures of the interior angles are 15 , 60 and 105 .
Solution 2
The sum of the three interior angles in a triangle is 180 .
Working backward from the possible answers, we may eliminate (B) and (C) since the sum of
the three given angles is not 180 .
The measures of the smallest and largest angles in the triangle are in the ratio 1 : 7.
Since 7 ⇥ 12 = 84 and not 120 , we may eliminate (A).
Since 7 ⇥ 14 = 98 and not 110 , we may eliminate (E).
The remaining possibility is (D) and we may confirm that 15 , 60 and 105 have a sum of 180
and are in the ratio 1 : 4 : 7. Answer: (D)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 14

16. The seven numbers 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 repeat to form the pattern shown.
Thus, the 7th number in the pattern is 100, the 14th number in the pattern is 100, the 21st
number in the pattern is 100, and so on.
The 14th number in the pattern is 100 and so the 15th number in the pattern is 1, the 16th is
2, the 17th is 5, and the 18th number in the pattern is 10.
Since 70 is a multiple of 7, the 70th number in the pattern is also 100 and so the 71st number in
the pattern is 1, the 72nd is 2, the 73rd is 5, the 74th is 10, and the 75th number in the pattern
is 25.
The sum of the 18th and 75th numbers in the pattern is 10 + 25 = 35. Answer: (E)

17. Solution 1
Gaussville’s soccer team won 40% of their first 40 games.
Thus they won 0.40 ⇥ 40 = 16 games.
After winning the next n games in a row, they had won 16 + n games and had played 40 + n
games.
At this point, they had won 50% or 12 of their games.
This means that the number of games won, 16+n, was 12 of the number of games played, 40+n.
For which of the possible answers is 16 + n equal to 12 of 40 + n?
Substituting each of the five possible answers, we get that 16 + 8 = 24 is 12 of 40 + 8 = 48, and
so the value of n is 8.
Solution 2
Gaussville’s soccer team won 40% of their first 40 games.
Thus they had 0.40 ⇥ 40 = 16 wins and 40 16 = 24 non-wins (losses or ties) in their first 40
games.
At this point, the team went on a winning streak which means they did not accumulate any
additional non-wins.
Thus, their 24 non-wins represent 50% of the final total, and so the final number of wins is 24.
Therefore, Gaussville’s soccer team won n = 24 16 = 8 games in a row.
Answer: (D)

18. The fraction of the area of the larger circle that is not shaded does not depend on the actual
radius of either circle, and so we begin by letting the radius of the smaller circle be 1 and thus
the radius of the larger circle is 3.
In this case, the area of the smaller circle is ⇡(1)2 = ⇡.
The area of the larger circle is ⇡(3)2 = 9⇡.
The area of the larger circle that is not shaded is 9⇡ ⇡ = 8⇡.
Therefore, the fraction of the area of the larger circle that is not shaded is 8⇡
9⇡
= 89 .
(Alternately, we could note that the fraction of the area of the larger circle that is shaded is
⇡
9⇡
= 19 and so the fraction of the area of the larger circle that is not shaded is 1 19 = 89 .)
Answer: (A)

19. We proceed to work backward from the final sum, 440, ‘undoing’ each of the three operations
to determine the sum of their two numbers before any operations were performed.
The final operation performed by each of Asima and Nile was to multiply their number by 4.
Multiplying each of their numbers by 4 increases the sum of the two numbers by a factor of 4.
That is, the final sum of their two numbers was 440, and so the sum of their two numbers
immediately before the last operation was performed was 440 ÷ 4 = 110.
The second operation performed by each of Asima and Nile was to subtract 10 from their
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 15

number.
Subtracting 10 from each of their numbers decreases the sum of the two numbers by 20.
That is, the sum of their two numbers immediately following the second operation was 110,
and so the sum of their two numbers immediately before the second operation was performed
was 110 + 20 = 130.
Finally, the first operation performed by each of Asima and Nile was to double their number.
Doubling each of their numbers increases the sum of the two numbers by a factor of 2.
That is, the sum of their two numbers immediately following the first operation was 130, and
so the sum of their two numbers before the first operation was performed was 130 ÷ 2 = 65.
Each of their original integers is greater than 0 and the two integers have a sum of 65.
Therefore, Asima’s original integer could be any integer from 1 to 64, inclusive.
Thus, there are 64 possibilities for Asima’s original integer.
Answer: (A)

20. Solution 1
The table below shows the possible di↵erences between the number on Ruby’s roll and the
number on Sam’s roll.

Number on Ruby’s Roll

1 2 3 4 5 6
Number on Sam’s Roll

1 0 1 2 3 4 5

2 1 0 1 2 3 4

3 2 1 0 1 2 3

4 3 2 1 0 1 2

5 4 3 2 1 0 1

6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Looking at the table above, the total number of possible outcomes is 6 ⇥ 6 = 36.
The total number of outcomes for which the di↵erence is negative is 15.
The probability that the result from subtracting the number on Sam’s roll from the number on
Ruby’s roll is negative is 15
36
5
= 12 .
Solution 2
Ruby and Sam each have 6 possible outcomes when they roll the dice, and so the total number
of possible outcomes is 6 ⇥ 6 = 36.
Of these 36 possible outcomes, there are 6 outcomes in which Sam and Ruby each roll the same
number and thus the di↵erence between the numbers rolled is 0.
For the remaining 36 6 = 30 possible outcomes, it is equally probable that the number on
Ruby’s roll is greater than the number on Sam’s roll as it is that the number on Sam’s roll is
greater than the number on Ruby’s roll.
That is, one half of these 30, or 15 possible outcomes have a result that is negative and 15 have
a result that is positive.
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 16

Therefore, the probability that the result from subtracting the number on Sam’s roll from the
number on Ruby’s roll is negative is 15
36
5
= 12 .
Answer: (B)

21. If n is a positive integer, 10n is equal to 1 followed by n zeros, when evaluated.

For example, 104 = 10 000 and 102021 is equal to 1 |00...0
{z }.
2021 0s
The result of adding 1 to the positive integer consisting of only n 9s is 10n .
For example, 1 + 9999 = 10 000 = 104 and 1 + 99...9
| {z } = 1 00...0
2021
| {z } = 10 .
2021 9s 2021 0s
Let S be the integer equal to 102021 2021.
Since 102021 = 1 + 99...9
| {z }, then S = 1 + 99...9
| {z } 2021 = 99...9
| {z } 2020 = 99...9
| {z } 7979.
2021 9s 2021 9s 2021 9s 2017 9s

The sum of the digits of the integer equal to 102021 2021 is 2019 ⇥ 9 + 2 ⇥ 7 = 18 185.
Answer: (E)

22. We begin by listing the prime numbers up to and including 31.

We choose to end the list at 31 since 30 ⇥ 30 = 900 and so 31 ⇥ 37 is greater than 900.
This list of prime numbers is

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31

Considering consecutive pairs of prime numbers from the list above, we get 10 positive integers
less than 900 that can be written as a product of two consecutive prime numbers. These are

2⇥3=6 3 ⇥ 5 = 15 5 ⇥ 7 = 35 7 ⇥ 11 = 77 11 ⇥ 13 = 143

13 ⇥ 17 = 221 17 ⇥ 19 = 323 19 ⇥ 23 = 437 23 ⇥ 29 = 667 29 ⇥ 31 = 899

There are 3 positive integers less than 900 that can be written as a product of three consecutive
prime numbers. These are

2 ⇥ 3 ⇥ 5 = 30 3 ⇥ 5 ⇥ 7 = 105 5 ⇥ 7 ⇥ 11 = 385

Since each positive integer greater than 1 is either a prime number or can be written as a unique
product of prime numbers, it must be that these 3 numbers, 30, 105, 385, are di↵erent than
those obtained from a product of two consecutive prime numbers. (Alternatively, we could
check that 30, 105 and 385 do not appear in the previous list.)
Further, we note that the next smallest positive integer that can be written as a product of
three consecutive prime numbers is 7 ⇥ 11 ⇥ 13 = 1001 which is greater than 900.
Exactly one positive integer less than 900 can be written as a product of four consecutive prime
numbers. This number is
2 ⇥ 3 ⇥ 5 ⇥ 7 = 210
The next smallest positive integer that can be written as a product of four consecutive prime
numbers is 3 ⇥ 5 ⇥ 7 ⇥ 11 = 1155 which is greater than 900.
There are no positive integers that can be written as a product of five or more consecutive
prime numbers since 2 ⇥ 3 ⇥ 5 ⇥ 7 ⇥ 11 = 2310 which is greater than 900.
In total, the number of positive integers less than 900 that can be written as a product of two
or more consecutive prime numbers is 10 + 3 + 1 = 14.
Answer: (A)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 17
A
23. We begin by labelling some additional points as shown.
With the leash extended the full 4 m, the dog can reach points A, E 2m F
B and D where AC = BC = DC = 4 m and thus the dog is able to
2m
play anywhere inside the shaded area shown. B
The doghouse EF GC is a square and so \ECG = 90 . 4m C G
Therefore, the shaded figure is 34 of a circle centred at C, has radius D
CD = 4 m, and thus has area 34 ⇡(4 m)2 = 12⇡ m2 .

There is additional area outside the doghouse in which the dog can
play, as shaded in the diagram. A
Since AC = 4 m and EC = 2 m, then AE = 2 m. Since
EC + EF = 2 m + 2 m = 4 m, the length of the leash, then the dog E 2m F
can reach F . 2m
Similarly, BG = 2 m and GC + GF = 2 m + 2 m = 4 m, the length B
of the leash, and so the dog can also reach F by travelling around 4m C G

sides GC and GF of the doghouse. D

Since \AEF = \F GB = 90 , then each of these two shaded figures
is 14 of a circle (centred at E and G respectively), has radius 2 m,
and thus each has area 14 ⇡(2)2 = ⇡ m2 . (For example, when the dog
is above and to the right of E, it can stretch to at most 2 m of rope
and so can form a quarter circle of radius 2 m coming from E.)
The area outside of the doghouse in which the dog can play is 12⇡ m2 + 2 ⇥ ⇡ m2 = 14⇡ m2 .
Answer: (A)

24. Let the sum of the numbers on the exterior faces of the n ⇥ n ⇥ n cube be S.
To determine the smallest value of n for which S > 1500, we choose to position the 1 ⇥ 1 ⇥ 1
cubes within the large cube in such a way that S is as large as possible.
The 1 ⇥ 1 ⇥ 1 cubes which contribute to the numbers on the exterior faces of the large cube
can be classified as one of three types.
We call these three types: corner, edge and inside.
In the portion of the large n ⇥ n ⇥ n cube shown in the diagram below, each of these three
types is shown.

(i) A corner cube is shown in Figure 1. These are cubes that appear in one of the “corners”
of the large cube and so there are 8 such corner cubes.
(ii) An edge cube is shown in Figure 2. These are cubes that appear along the edges but not
in the corners of the large cube.
A cube has 12 edges and each edge of the large cube contains n 2 edge cubes, and so
there are 12 ⇥ (n 2) such cubes.
(iii) An inside cube is shown in Figure 3. These are the remaining cubes that contribute to
the numbers on the exterior faces of the large cube.
A cube has 6 faces and each face of the large cube contains (n 2) ⇥ (n 2) inside cubes,
and so there are 6 ⇥ (n 2)2 such cubes.
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 18

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Each corner cube has 3 faces which contribute to S.

For S to be as large as possible, the 1 ⇥ 1 ⇥ 1 cube must be positioned in such a way that the
sum of the 3 external faces is as large as possible.
We may determine from the given net that the three faces meeting at a vertex of the 1 ⇥ 1 ⇥ 1
cube may contain the numbers: 1, 0, 1 or 1, 2, 0 or 2, 2, 0 or 2, 1, 0.
The sums of these three faces are 0, 1, 0, and 1 respectively.
To make S as large as possible, we choose to place each corner cube so that the numbers
appearing on the exterior faces of the large cube are 1, 2 and 0, and thus have the largest
possible sum of 1.
Therefore, the 8 corner cubes contribute 8 ⇥ 1 = 8 to S.
Each edge cube has 2 faces which contribute to S. For S to be as large as possible, the 1 ⇥ 1 ⇥ 1
cube must be positioned in such a way that the sum of the 2 external faces is as large as
possible.
We may determine from the given net that two faces which share an edge of the 1 ⇥ 1 ⇥ 1 cube
contain the numbers: 1, 0 or 1, 2 or 1, 1 or 2, 0 or 1, 0 or 2, 0 or 2, 1 or 2, 2.
The sums of these two adjacent faces are 1, 1, 0, 2, 1, 2, 1, and 0 respectively.
To make S as large as possible, we choose to place each edge cube so that the numbers appearing
on the exterior faces of the large cube are 2 and 0, and thus have the largest possible sum of 2.
Therefore, the 12 ⇥ (n 2) edge cubes contribute 2 ⇥ 12 ⇥ (n 2) or 24 ⇥ (n 2) to S.
Finally, each inside cube has 1 face which contributes to S. For S to be as large as possible,
we position each of these cubes so that 2 will appear on this face (since 2 is the largest number
in the given net).
Thus, the 6 ⇥ (n 2)2 inside cubes contribute 2 ⇥ 6 ⇥ (n 2)2 or 12 ⇥ (n 2)2 to S.
In total, we get S = 8 + 24 ⇥ (n 2) + 12 ⇥ (n 2)2 .
We want the smallest value of n for which S > 1500 or 8 + 24 ⇥ (n 2) + 12 ⇥ (n 2)2 > 1500.
Using trial and error with the given answers, we get the following:

• When n = 9, S = 8 + 24 ⇥ (n 2) + 12 ⇥ (n 2)2 = 8 + 24 ⇥ 7 + 12 ⇥ 72 = 764 which is less

than 1500.
• When n = 11, S = 8 + 24 ⇥ 9 + 12 ⇥ 92 = 1196 which is less than 1500.
• When n = 12, S = 8 + 24 ⇥ 10 + 12 ⇥ 102 = 1448 which is less than 1500.
• When n = 13, S = 8 + 24 ⇥ 11 + 12 ⇥ 112 = 1724 which is greater than 1500.

The smallest value of n for which the sum of the exterior faces of the n ⇥ n ⇥ n cube is greater
than 1500 is 13.
Answer: (D)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 19

25. We begin by drawing a well-labelled diagram, as shown.

P y V 8-y Q
Since P S = 8, by letting P T = x we get T S = 8 x. Similarly if
P V = y, then V Q = 8 y. x
The value of x, where 0 < x < 8, uniquely determines the position Z
T U
of line segment T U (which is parallel to P Q).
The value of y, where 0 < y < 8, uniquely determines the position 8-x
of line segment V W (which is parallel to QR).
Thus, the value of N is equal to the number of ordered pairs (x, y) S R
W
which give integer areas for each of the four rectangles P V ZT ,
T ZW S, V QU Z, and ZU RW .
Since the areas of rectangles P V ZT and V QU Z are integers, then the area of rectangle P QU T
is given by the sum of two integers and thus is also an integer.
The area of P QU T is equal to (P Q)(P T ) = 8x and so 8x is an integer.
Similarly, the area of P V W S is an integer and so 8y is an integer.
For what values of x is 8x an integer?
If x is an integer, then 8x is an integer and so x can equal any integer from 1 to 7 inclusive.
Similarly, y can equal any integer from 1 to 7 inclusive.
For each of the 7 possible values of x, there are 7 possible values for y, and so in this case where
each of x and y is an integer, there are 7 ⇥ 7 = 49 ordered pairs (x, y) which give integer areas
for each of the four rectangles P V ZT , T ZW S, V QU Z, and ZU RW .
As an example, consider (x, y) = (2, 3).
In this case, 8 x = 6, 8 y = 5 and the areas of the four rectangles P V ZT , T ZW S, V QU Z,
and ZU RW are the integers 2 ⇥ 3 = 6, 6 ⇥ 3 = 18, 2 ⇥ 5 = 10, and 6 ⇥ 5 = 30, respectively.
Having considered the cases in which both x and y are integers, next we will consider the
possible cases in which exactly one of x and y is an integer.
Specifically, we will assume that y is an integer and x is not an integer.
Are there non-integer values of x for which 8x is an integer?
When x = 12 , 8x = 8 ⇥ 12 = 4 and thus there exist fractional values of x for which 8x is an
integer.
Let x = ab where a and b are positive integers and a and b have no factors in common (that is,
a
b
is in lowest terms).
Since 8x = 8 ⇥ ab is an integer exactly when b is a positive divisor of 8, then b could equal 1, 2, 4,
or 8.
Next, we consider each of these possible values for b.
When b = 1, x = ab = a1 = a and so x is an integer.
Integer values of both x and y is the case previously considered in which we determined there
are 49 ordered pairs (x, y) that satisfy the given conditions.
Next, we consider the cases for which b = 2.
Since a and b have no common factors, then a must be odd.
Further, 0 < ab < 8 and so a can be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, or 15 (note that 17 2
> 8).
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
When x is equal to 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 , or 2 , what are the possible values of y?
Recall that we are considering cases in which exactly one of x and y is an integer and thus we
require y to be an integer.
The area of rectangle P V ZT is an integer and so (P V )(P T ) = xy is an integer. (We note that
the area of each of the other 3 rectangles is also an integer.)
When x is equal to a fraction of the form a2 (where a is odd and comes from the list above),
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 20

and xy is an integer, then 2 is a factor of y and so y is an even integer.

Since 0 < y < 8, then y can be 2, 4 or 6.
For each of the 8 choices for x, there are 3 choices for y and so in this case there are 8 ⇥ 3 = 24
ordered pairs (x, y) which give integer areas for each of the four rectangles P V ZT , T ZW S,
V QU Z, and ZU RW .
As an example, consider (x, y) = ( 32 , 6). In this case, 8 x = 13 2
, 8 y = 2 and the areas of the
four rectangles P V ZT , T ZW S, V QU Z, and ZU RW are the integers 32 ⇥ 6 = 9, 13 2
⇥ 6 = 39,
3 13
2
⇥ 2 = 3, and 2
⇥ 2 = 13, respectively.
Recall from earlier that 8y is also an integer.
Thus, each of the possible values of x is a possible value for y, and vice versa.
That is, y can be equal to 12 , 32 , 52 , 72 , 92 , 11
2 2
, 13 , or 15
2
, which gives x equal to 2,4 or 6, and 24
additional ordered pairs (x, y).
To summarize to this point, if both x and y are integers, there are 49 ordered pairs (x, y) which
satisfy the given conditions.
If x is a fraction of the form a2 for odd integers 1  a  15 and y is an integer, there are 24
ordered pairs (x, y) which satisfy the given conditions.
If y is a fraction of the form a2 for odd integers 1  a  15 and x is an integer, there are 24
ordered pairs (x, y) which satisfy the given conditions.
Next, we consider the cases for which b = 4.
Since a and b have no common factors, then a must be odd.
Further, 0 < ab < 8 and so a can be 1, 3, 5, . . . , 27, 29, or 31 (note that 33 4
> 8).
1 3 5 27 29 31
When x is equal to 4 , 4 , 4 , . . . 4 , 4 , or 4 , what are the possible values of y?
Recall that we are considering cases in which exactly one of x and y is an integer and thus we
require y to be an integer.
Since xy is an integer and x is equal to a fraction of the form a4 , then 4 is a factor of y.
Since 0 < y < 8, then y = 4.
For each of the 16 choices for x, there is 1 choice for y and so in this case there are 16 ⇥ 1 = 16
ordered pairs (x, y) which give integer areas for each of the four rectangles P V ZT , T ZW S,
V QU Z, and ZU RW .
As an example, consider (x, y) = ( 54 , 4).
In this case, 8 x = 274
, 8 y = 4 and the areas of the four rectangles P V ZT , T ZW S, V QU Z,
and ZU RW are the integers 54 ⇥ 4 = 5, 27 4
⇥ 4 = 27, 54 ⇥ 4 = 5, and 27
4
⇥ 4 = 27, respectively.
1 3 5 27 29 31
When y is equal to 4 , 4 , 4 , . . . 4 , 4 , or 4 , and x = 4, there are 16 additional ordered
pairs (x, y).
To complete the cases for which exactly one of x and y is an integer, we consider b = 8.
Since xy is an integer and x is equal to a fraction of the form a8 , then 8 is a factor of y.
However, y < 8 and thus cannot have a factor of 8 and so there are no ordered pairs (x, y)
when b = 8.
Finally, we consider cases in which both x and y are not integers.
As previously determined, if x is not an integer, then it is of the form a2 or a4 for some positive
odd integers a.
If y is not an integer, then it is similarly of the form a2 or a4 for some positive odd integers a.
However, if x and y are each of this form, then their product xy is of the form 4c , 8c or 16
c
where
c is the product of two odd integers and thus is odd.
Since it is not possible for 4, 8 or 16 to be a factor of an odd number, then xy cannot be an
integer and so the area of rectangle P V ZT cannot be an integer in this case.
Thus, there are no cases for which both x and y are not integers.
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 21

Therefore, the value of N is equal to 49 + (2 ⇥ 24) + (2 ⇥ 16) = 49 + 48 + 32 = 129, and so the

remainder when N 2 = 16 641 is divided by 100 is 41.
Answer: (D)