VTAMPS 19.

0 Secondary 1 Set 2

Part 1. Multiple Choices

1. Determine the median of the following numbers:

54, 54, 89, 67, 34, 25, 39, 22, 45, 33, 75, 68
A. 44.5
B. 45
C. 48.5
D. 49.5
E. 54

2. An 𝑛-sided polygon has integer interior angles. If no two angles have the same value, determine
the smallest possible exterior angle of this polygon.
A. 6 degrees
B. 5 degrees
C. 4 degrees
D. 2 degrees
E. 1 degree

3. From a universal set 𝑈 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, and sets 𝐴 = {2, 4, 6, 8} and 𝐵 = {5, 6, 7, 8, 9},
determine 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵̅ .
A. {6, 8}
B. {2, 4}
C. {5, 7, 9}
D. {2, 4, 6, 8}
E. {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8}

4. Which of the following is divisible by (𝑥 − 2)?

A. 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2
B. 2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2
C. 2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 2
D. 4𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 2
E. 4𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2
5. In a track, a driver drove the first third of the way at 12 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟, the second third at 15 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟,
and the last third at 24 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟. Determine his average speed for the duration of the trip.
𝑘𝑚
A. 15.65 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
B. 15.82 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
C. 16.36 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
D. 17.00 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
E. 17.14 ℎ𝑟

6. Which of the following is the longest?

A. 0.15 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
B. 0.25 𝑘𝑚
C. 285 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠
D. 260,000 𝑚𝑚
E. 837 𝑓𝑡

5−𝑥
7. Determine the number of positive integer solutions that satisfy −2 < < 2.
9
A. 19
B. 20
C. 21
D. 22
E. 23

𝑘𝑚
8. The speed of light can be approximated as 1.08 × 109 . Determine its closest equivalent in
ℎ𝑟
miles per second.
A. 180,051 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
B. 185,540 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
C. 186,451 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
D. 187,154 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
E. 190,000 𝑚𝑖/𝑠

5
9. ̂ = 𝜋. Determine the measure of ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 in degrees.
Given the unit circle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, 𝐴𝐵
6
A. 37.5°
B. 75°
C. 112.5°
D. 150°
E. Cannot be determined.
 2𝑥+9 𝑥+4
10. Determine the value of 𝑥 in + = 5𝑥 + 6.
10 5
46
A.
43
43
B.
46
34
C. −
46
43
D. −
46
46
E. −
43

Part 2. Open-ended Problems

11𝑥+15𝑥 2 +13𝑥+9𝑥 2
11. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = , evaluate 𝑓(4).
7𝑥

12. An equilateral triangle with side 𝑥 has an area which is twice its perimeter. Determine 𝑥.

2025
13. Determine the number of integers that do not satisfy −3 < < 3.
11𝑥+7

14. A bouncy rubber ball is dropped from a height of 100 meters, and each time it strikes the ground,
3
it bounces back at a height of of the distance from which it fell. Determine the total vertical
4
distance travelled by the ball before it comes to rest.

15. Determine the number of integers less than 2025 that are divisible by either 11 or 20.

(𝑥)!
16. Solve for 𝑥 if = (3!) × (5!) × (7!).
𝑥

17. The average of all the 𝑛 exterior angles of an 𝑛 −sided convex polygon is 24°. Determine the
number of diagonals that can be drawn on this polygon.

1 1
18. The first and third terms of a harmonic sequence are and respectively. Determine the
11 5
maximum possible sum of the harmonic sequence.

19. In a set of six consecutive odd numbers, 5 times the 2nd term is 3 more than twice the 5th term.
Determine the first term in the set.

20. Refer to the figure below. Circles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 overlap at 𝐴 and 𝐵 and ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐷 is tangent to circle
𝐴𝐵𝐶. Suppose ∠𝐵𝐸𝐷 = 63° and ∠𝐴𝐵𝐷 = 33°. Determine ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷.
21. Refer to the figure below. Three parallel horizontal lines are drawn with ̅̅̅̅ 𝐴𝐶 and ̅̅̅̅
𝐷𝐸
̅̅̅̅ : 𝐴𝐶
perpendicular to them. If 𝐴𝐵 ̅̅̅̅ = √3: 1 and 𝐸𝐹
̅̅̅̅ : 𝐹𝐷
̅̅̅̅ = √2: 1, determine the measure of ∠𝐶𝐺𝐹
in degrees.

22. A magic square can be made by arranging numbers 4 to 12 in the 9 places of a 3 × 3 square grid
such that all rows, columns, and both diagonals have the same sum. Suppose three of the
arranged numbers, as shown, are related in terms of 𝑥, determine the value of 𝐴.

2𝑥 + 3 𝐴

4𝑥 − 4

3𝑥 − 3
23. Alice is 40 years old. Alice is twice as old as Bob was when Alice was as old as Bob now. How old
is Bob now?

24. It is between 3 o’clock and 4 o’clock in the morning, and the minute hand is before the hour hand.
In 30 minutes, the minute hand will be as far from the hour hand as it was earlier. What time is
it?

25. Convert 120°17′105′′ into radians.

 VTAMPS 19.0 S1 Set 2 Solution Manual
Part 1

1. Determine the median of the following numbers:

54, 54, 89, 67, 34, 25, 39, 22, 45, 33, 75, 68
A. 44.5
B. 45
C. 48.5
D. 49.5
E. 54
Answer: D. 49.5
Solution:
Arranging the numbers from smallest to largest,
22, 25, 33, 34, 39, 45, 54, 54, 67, 68, 75, 89
Since we have an even number of numbers, take the average of the middle two terms:
45 + 54
= 49.5
2

2. An 𝑛-sided polygon has integer interior angles. If no two angles have the same value, determine
the smallest possible exterior angle of this polygon.
A. 6 degrees
B. 5 degrees
C. 4 degrees
D. 2 degrees
E. 1 degree
Answer: E. 1 degree
Solution:
The smallest possible exterior angle would be 1 degree. To illustrate, observe the case where the
distinct exterior angle values are:
1°, 2°, 3°, … , 𝑘
And the corresponding interior angles are
179°, 178°, 177°, … (180 − 𝑘)°
The sum of exterior angles is then
𝑘(𝑘 + 1)
1 + 2 + ⋯+ 𝑘 = = 360°
2
 When 𝑘 = 27, the sum would be:
27(28)
= 378
2
Removing one angle measuring 18°,
378 − 18 = 360
The sum of the corresponding interior angles is then:
179 + 178 + ⋯ + (180 − 27) − (180 − 18)
27(179 + 153)
= − 162
2
= 4320
From sum of interior angles formula:

∑ 𝑖𝑛𝑡. 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠 = 180(𝑛 − 2) = 4320

𝑛 − 2 = 24
𝑛 = 26
This holds true from when we set 𝑘 = 27 for the number of exterior angles and deducted one
angle, making 𝑛 = 27 − 1 = 26.

3. From a universal set 𝑈 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, and sets 𝐴 = {2, 4, 6, 8} and 𝐵 = {5, 6, 7, 8, 9},
determine 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵̅ .
A. {6, 8}
B. {2, 4}
C. {5, 7, 9}
D. {2, 4, 6, 8}
E. {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8}
Answer: B. {𝟐, 𝟒}
Solution:
𝐴 ∩ 𝐵̅ = 𝐴 ∩ (𝑈 − 𝐵)
= {2, 4, 6, 8} ∩ ({1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} − {5, 6, 7, 8, 9})
= {2, 4, 6, 8} ∩ {1, 2, 3, 4}
= {2, 4}

4. Which of the following is divisible by (𝑥 − 2)?

A. 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2
B. 2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2
C. 2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 2
D. 4𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 2
E. 4𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2
 Answer: D. 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐
Solution:
For an expression to be divisible by (𝑥 − 2), it must be 0 when evaluated at 𝑥 = 2. Testing the
choices,
A. 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2
= (2)3 − 2(2)2 − (2) − 2
= 8 − 8 − 4 = −4
B. 2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2
= 2(2)3 − 4(2)2 − (2) − 2
= 2(8) − 4(4) − 4
= 16 − 16 − 4 = −4
D. 4𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 2
= 4(2)3 − 6(2)2 − 3(2) − 2
= 4(8) − 6(4) − 6 − 2
= 32 − 24 − 8 = 0

5. In a track, a driver drove the first third of the way at 12 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟, the second third at 15 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟,
and the last third at 24 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟. Determine his average speed for the duration of the trip.
𝑘𝑚
A. 15.65 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
B. 15.82 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
C. 16.36 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
D. 17.00 ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚
E. 17.14 ℎ𝑟
𝒌𝒎
Answer: A. 𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟓 𝒉𝒓

Solution:
The average speed is given by:
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑎𝑣𝑔. 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
Calculate the time for each third:
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡. 𝑑/3 𝑑
𝑡1 = = =
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 12 36
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡. 𝑑/3 𝑑
𝑡2 = = =
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 15 45
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡. 𝑑/3 𝑑
𝑡3 = = =
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 24 72
The total time taken is:
 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
𝑡 = 𝑡1 + 𝑡2 + 𝑡3 = + +
36 45 72
𝑑(10 + 8 + 5) 23
= = 𝑑
360 360
Thus,
𝑑 360 𝑘𝑚
𝑎𝑣𝑔. 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = = ≈ 15.65
23 23 ℎ𝑟
360 𝑑

6. Which of the following is the longest?

A. 0.15 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
B. 0.25 𝑘𝑚
C. 285 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠
D. 260,000 𝑚𝑚
E. 837 𝑓𝑡
Answer: C. 285 yards
Solution:
Convert the choices to the same unit of measurement, say, 𝑘𝑚,
1.609 𝑘𝑚
A. 0.15 𝑚𝑖 × ≅ 0.241 𝑘𝑚
1 𝑚𝑖
B. 0.25 𝑘𝑚
3 𝑓𝑡 0.3048 𝑚 1 𝑘𝑚
C. 285 𝑦𝑑 ×
1 𝑦𝑑
× 1 𝑓𝑡 × 1000 𝑚 ≅ 𝟎. 𝟐𝟔𝟏 𝒌𝒎
1𝑚 1 𝑘𝑚
D. 260000 𝑚𝑚 × 1000 𝑚𝑚 × 1000 𝑚 = 0.26 𝑘𝑚
0.3048 𝑚 1 𝑘𝑚
E. 837 𝑓𝑡 × 1 𝑓𝑡 × 1000 𝑚 ≅ 0.255 𝑘𝑚

5−𝑥
7. Determine the number of positive integer solutions that satisfy −2 < < 2.
9
A. 19
B. 20
C. 21
D. 22
E. 23
Answer: D. 22
Solution:
−18 < 5 − 𝑥 < 18
−18 − 5 < −𝑥 < 18 − 5
−23 < −𝑥 < 13
23 > 𝑥 > −13
−13 < 𝑥 < 23
There are 22 positive integers from {1, …, 22}.
 𝑘𝑚
8. The speed of light can be approximated as 1.08 × 109 . Determine its closest equivalent in
ℎ𝑟
miles per second.
A. 180,051 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
B. 185,540 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
C. 186,451 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
D. 187,154 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
E. 190,000 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
Answer: C. 186,451 𝒎𝒊/𝒔
Solution:
𝑘𝑚 1 𝑚𝑖 1 ℎ𝑟
1.08 × 109 × × ≅ 186,451 𝑚𝑖/𝑠
ℎ𝑟 1.609 𝑘𝑚 3600 𝑠

5
9. ̂ = 𝜋. Determine the measure of ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 in degrees.
Given the unit circle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, 𝐴𝐵
6
A. 37.5°
B. 75°
C. 112.5°
D. 150°
E. Cannot be determined.
Answer: B. 75°
Solution:
̂ is equal to the central angle ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵, using inscribed angle theorem,
Since 𝐴𝐵
1
∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 2 ∠𝐴𝑂𝐵
1 5 5𝜋
=( 𝜋) =
2 6 12
5𝜋 180°
∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = × = 75°
12 𝜋

2𝑥+9 𝑥+4
10. Determine the value of 𝑥 in + = 5𝑥 + 6.
10 5
46
A.
43
43
B.
46
34
C. −
46
43
D. −
46
46
E. −
43
 𝟒𝟑
Answer: D. −
𝟒𝟔
Solution:
2𝑥 + 9 𝑥 + 4
10 ( + ) = 10(5𝑥 + 6)
10 5
2𝑥 + 9 + 2(𝑥 + 4) = 50𝑥 + 60
4𝑥 + 17 = 50𝑥 + 60
−46𝑥 = 43
43
𝑥=−
46

Part 2

11𝑥+15𝑥 2 +13𝑥+9𝑥 2
11. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = , evaluate 𝑓(4).
7𝑥
𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝟏
Answer: 𝑜𝑟 𝟏𝟕
𝟕 𝟕

Solution:
24𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 24 24
𝑓(𝑥) = = 𝑥+
7𝑥 7 7
24 24 96 + 24 120 1
𝑓(4) = (4) + = = = 17
7 7 7 7 7

12. An equilateral triangle with side 𝑥 has an area which is twice its perimeter. Determine 𝑥.

Answer: 𝟖√𝟑
Solution:
Given side 𝑥, the area and perimeter of an equilateral triangle are:
√3 2
𝐴= 𝑥 and 𝑃 = 3𝑥
4
⟹ 𝐴 = 2𝑃
√3 2
𝑥 = 2(3𝑥)
4
4
𝑥= (6)
√3
24 √3 24√3
= × = = 8√3
√3 √3 3

2025
13. Determine the number of integers that do not satisfy −3 < < 3.
11𝑥+7
Answer: 123
Solution:
Solving the two inequalities separately, for the first inequality:
2025
−3 <
11𝑥 + 7
If 11𝑥 + 7 > 0, then
−3(11𝑥 + 7) < 2025
−33𝑥 − 21 < 2025
−33𝑥 < 2046
2046
𝑥>−
33
𝑥 > −62
If 11𝑥 + 7 < 0, then the inequality flips:
−3(11𝑥 + 7) > 2025
−33𝑥 − 21 > 2025
−33𝑥 > 2046
2046
𝑥<−
33
𝑥 < −62
For the second inequality:
2025
<3
11𝑥 + 7
If 11𝑥 + 7 > 0, then
2025 < 3(11𝑥 + 7)
2025 < 33𝑥 + 21
2004 < 33𝑥
2004
𝑥>
33
668 8
𝑥> 𝑜𝑟 60
11 11
If 11𝑥 + 7 > 0, then the inequality flips:
2025 > 3(11𝑥 + 7)
2025 > 33𝑥 + 21
2004 > 33𝑥
2004
𝑥<
33
668 8
𝑥< 𝑜𝑟 60
11 11
To determine which inequalities are correct, test the original expression, say, with 𝑥 = 0:
 2025
−3 < <3
11(0) + 7
2025 2
−3 < = 289 < 3
7 7
which makes the inequality incorrect. Thus, the simplified inequalities should be:
8
𝑥 < −62 & 𝑥 > 60
11
8
𝑥 = (−∞, −62) ∪ (60 , ∞)
11
So, the range of 𝑥 values that do not satisfy the original inequality are within:
8
−62 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 60
11
Restricting to only integers,
−62 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 60
2025
So, there are 60 − (−62) + 1 = 123 integers that do not satisfy −3 < < 3.
11𝑥+7

14. A bouncy rubber ball is dropped from a height of 100 meters, and each time it strikes the ground,
3
it bounces back at a height of of the distance from which it fell. Determine the total vertical
4
distance travelled by the ball before it comes to rest.
Answer: 700 meters
Solution:
The ball’s total vertical distance can be expressed as
3 3 2 3 3
100 + 100 ( ) × 2 + 100 ( ) × 2 + 100 ( ) × 2 + ⋯
4 4 4
3
Note that this follows an infinite geometric series, with first term = 100 (4) = 75 and common
3
ratio = 4, whose sum is doubled (to account for both the fall and bounce), and added with the
original fall distance = 100 𝑚. So,
𝑎1
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡. = 100 + 2𝑆𝑛 = 100 + 2 ( )
1−𝑟
75
= 100 + 2 ( ) = 700
3
1−4

15. Determine the number of integers less than 2025 that are divisible by either 11 or 20.
Answer: 276
 Solution:
2024 2024 2024
⌊ ⌋+⌊ ⌋−⌊ ⌋
11 20 11 × 20
= 184 + 101 − 9 = 276

(𝑥)!
16. Solve for 𝑥 if = (3!) × (5!) × (7!).
𝑥

Answer: 11
Solution:
(𝑥)!
= (3!) × (5!) × (7!)
𝑥
= (3 × 2) × (5 × 4 × 3 × 2) × (7!)
= (5 × 2) × (3 × 3) × (4 × 2) × (7!)
= 10 × 9 × 8 × (7!) = 10!
(𝑥)!
⟹ = 10!
𝑥
(𝑥)! = 𝑥 × 10!
(11)! = 11 × 10!
𝑥 = 11

17. The average of all the 𝑛 exterior angles of an 𝑛 −sided convex polygon is 24°. Determine the
number of diagonals that can be drawn on this polygon.
Answer: 90
Solution:
The sum of exterior angles for any convex 𝑛 −sided polygon is 360°. Given the average,
360°
= 24°
𝑛
360
𝑛= = 15
24
For an 𝑛 −sided polygon, the number of diagonals is given by
𝑛(𝑛 − 3)
𝐷=
2
15(15 − 3) 15 × 12
= =
2 2
= 15 × 6 = 90

1 1
18. The first and third terms of a harmonic sequence are and respectively. Determine the
11 5
maximum possible sum of the harmonic sequence.
 𝟒𝟎𝟑
Answer:
𝟒𝟒𝟎

Solution:
A harmonic sequence has the form:
1 1 1
, , ,…
𝑎 𝑎 + 𝑑 𝑎 + 2𝑑
So,
1 1 1 1
= & =
𝑎 11 𝑎 + 2𝑑 5
Thus, 𝑎 = 11, and
𝑎 + 2𝑑 = 5
2𝑑 = 5 − (11) = −6
𝑑 = −3
Therefore, the sequence follows:
1 1 1 1 1
, , , , −1, − , …
11 8 5 2 4
To determine the maximum sum, take the positive terms only:
1 1 1 1
𝑆= + + +
11 8 5 2
8 × 5 + 11 × 5 + 11 × 8 + 11 × 5 × 4
=
11 × 8 × 5
40 + 55 + 88 + 220 403
= =
440 440

19. In a set of six consecutive odd numbers, 5 times the 2nd term is 3 more than twice the 5th term.
Determine the first term in the set.
Answer: 3
Solution:
The six consecutive odd numbers can be expressed as
𝑛, 𝑛 + 2, 𝑛 + 4, 𝑛 + 6, 𝑛 + 8, 𝑛 + 10
So, expressing the given in algebraic terms,
5(𝑛 + 2) = 3 + 2(𝑛 + 8)
5𝑛 + 10 = 2𝑛 + 16 + 3
3𝑛 = 19 − 10 = 9
𝑛=3

20. Refer to the figure below. Circles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 overlap at 𝐴 and 𝐵 and ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐷 is tangent to circle
𝐴𝐵𝐶. Suppose ∠𝐵𝐸𝐷 = 63° and ∠𝐴𝐵𝐷 = 33°. Determine ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷.
 Answer: 𝟏𝟏𝟕
Solution:
Suppose we have point 𝑋 (see figure):

Since 𝐴𝐵𝐸𝐷 is a cyclic quadrilateral,

∠𝐷𝐴𝐵 = 180 − 63 = 117°
⇒ ∠𝑋𝐴𝐵 = 180 − 117 = 63°
∠𝑋𝐴𝐵 is the angle between the tangent line to the smaller circle and its chord, which has the
same relationship to its subtended arc as an inscribed angle does (alternate segment theorem).
So,
∠𝑋𝐴𝐵 = ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 63°
⇒ ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷 = 180 − 63 = 117°

21. Refer to the figure below. Three parallel horizontal lines are drawn with 𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ and ̅̅̅̅
𝐷𝐸
perpendicular to them. If ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵 : ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐶 = √3: 1 and ̅̅̅̅
𝐸𝐹 : ̅̅̅̅
𝐹𝐷 = √2: 1, determine the measure of ∠𝐶𝐺𝐹
in degrees.
 Answer: 105
Solution:
Note that
∠𝐶𝐺𝐹 = 180 − ∠𝐺𝐶𝐹 − ∠𝐶𝐹𝐺
From similar angles,
̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐶
∠𝐺𝐶𝐹 = ∠𝐶𝐵𝐴 = tan−1 ( )
̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵
1 √3
= tan−1 ( ) = tan−1 ( )
√3 3
∠𝐺𝐶𝐹 = 30°
Also,
̅̅̅̅
𝐹𝐷
∠𝐶𝐹𝐺 = ∠𝐸𝐹𝐷 = cos −1 ( )
̅̅̅̅
𝐸𝐹
1 √2
= cos−1 ( ) = cos −1 ( )
√2 2
∠𝐶𝐹𝐺 = 45°
Therefore,
∠𝐶𝐺𝐹 = 180° − 30° − 45°
∠𝐶𝐺𝐹 = 105°

22. A magic square can be made by arranging numbers 4 to 12 in the 9 places of a 3 × 3 square grid
such that all rows, columns, and both diagonals have the same sum. Suppose three of the
arranged numbers, as shown, are related in terms of 𝑥, determine the value of 𝐴.

2𝑥 + 3 𝐴

4𝑥 − 4

3𝑥 − 3
 Answer: 6
Solution:
For a 3 × 3 magic square, the middle square must contain the median/average of the given
consecutive numbers. In this case,
4 + 12
=8
2
The same sum for the rows, columns and diagonals must be three times the middle square:
8 × 3 = 24
So, the value of the square in the middle left can be evaluated based on the given from the first
column and second row:
24 − (2𝑥 + 3) − (3𝑥 − 3) = 24 − 8 − (4𝑥 − 4)
24 − 2𝑥 − 3 − 3𝑥 + 3 = 24 − 8 − 4𝑥 + 4
24 − 5𝑥 = 20 − 4𝑥
𝑥=4
Filling in the values of the first column and second row:

11 𝐴

4 8 12

Using the ‘/’ diagonal,

24 − 9 − 8 = 24 − 11 − 𝐴
𝐴 = 17 − 11
𝐴=6

23. Alice is 40 years old. Alice is twice as old as Bob was when Alice was as old as Bob now. How old
is Bob now?
Answer: 30
Solution:
Let 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝑥 be Alice’s current age (40), Bob’s current age, and the number of years ago when
Alice was as old as Bob now, respectively.
 If Alice was as old as Bob’s current age 𝑥 years ago, then
40 − 𝑥 = 𝐵
𝑥 = 40 − 𝐵
Since Alice is currently twice as old as Bob’s age 𝑥 years ago,
𝐴 = 2(𝐵 − 𝑥) = 40
So,
2[𝐵 − (40 − 𝐵)] = 40
(2𝐵 − 40) = 20
2𝐵 = 60
𝐵 = 30
𝑥 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑔𝑜 𝑁𝑜𝑤
Alice 30 40
Bob 20 30

24. It is between 3 o’clock and 4 o’clock in the morning, and the minute hand is before the hour hand.
In 30 minutes, the minute hand will be as far from the hour hand as it was earlier. What time is
it?
𝟒
Answer: 𝟑: 𝟎𝟏 𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑴

Solution:
The angle (𝜃) between the minute (𝑀) and hour (𝐻) hands is given by the formula:
11
𝜃 = |30𝐻 − 𝑀|
2
The value inside the absolute value is positive when the minute hand is before the hour hand,
and negative when the minute hand is ahead of the hour hand.
Therefore, our problem can be expressed as
11 11
30𝐻 − 𝑀 = − [30𝐻 − (𝑀 + 30)]
2 2
11 11 11
30𝐻 − 𝑀 = −30𝐻 + 𝑀 + (30)
2 2 2
60𝐻 = 11𝑀 + 165
60(3) − 165
𝑀=
11
15 4
𝑀= =1
11 11
4
Therefore, the current time is 3: 01 11 𝐴𝑀.
25. Convert 120°17′105′′ into radians.
𝟑𝟖𝟓 𝟑𝟖𝟓𝝅
Answer: 𝟓𝟕𝟔 𝝅 𝑜𝑟 𝟓𝟕𝟔

Solution:
Convert degrees-minutes-seconds to degrees in fraction form:
17′ 105′′
120°17′ 105′ = 120° + +
60 3600
60(17) + 105
= 120 +
3600
1125 5
= 120 + = 120
3600 16
16(120) + 5 1925
= = °
16 16
Convert degrees to radians:
1925 𝜋 385𝜋 385
°× = = 𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑
16 180° 16(36) 576