Preface

Created in 1977 by Dr. George Lenchner, an internationally known math educator, the
Math Olympiads went public in 1979. Last year nearly 170,000 students from 6,000
teams worldwide participated in the Olympiads. All 50 states and about 30 other
countries were represented. In ASEAN, it is known as American Mathematics Olympiad
(AMO), www.amo.sg and is organized by Singapore International Math Contests Centre
(SIMCC).
This is an excellent contest to introduce middle and upper primary students to the
exciting world of mathematics competitions, without discouraging them with very tough
questions. So, let them take part in easier competitions to build their confidence and
interest, because the fastest way to kill interest is to fail badly. So, join AMO before
taking on tougher math competitions like SASMO, NMOS, Mathlympics, RIWPMC and
SMOPS.
The past year contest paper with detailed solutions and comments provided will
enhance your problem solving skills as well as your ability to think about and solve
complex problems.
We hope to expose more students from Primary 3 and up to a certain level of excitement
in participating with peers with similar interests and talents in a competitive activity. We
can then see them thinking and applying concepts they have learnt as well as utilising a
common sense approach to solve problems.
The aims of the American Mathematics Olympiad are:
o To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics
o To introduce important Mathematical concepts
o To teach major strategies for problem solving
o To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems
o To strengthen Mathematical intuition
o To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity
o To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

We hope to introduce more students to Math Olympiad competitions in a more

comfortable and interesting way that will also sustain their mathematical interest for the
years to come and hopefully we will succeed in developing many Scholars from these
competitions.
 CONTENTS

Competition Details 1
AMO Past Year Problems 5
Solutions for AMO Past Year Problems 19
 Competition Details

American Mathematics Olympiad is open to all Primary 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Secondary 1, 2 and

3 students in Singapore (or Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 for International Schools).

Primary 2 – 15 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 15 points.

Primary 3 – 15 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 15 points.
Primary 4 – 20 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 20 points.
Primary 5 – 25 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 25 points.
Primary 6 – 25 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 25 points.
Secondary 1 – 25 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 25 points.
Secondary 2 – 25 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 25 points.
Secondary 3 – 25 non-routine problems (1 point each), total 25 points.

• The duration of the AMO is 1 hour 30 minutes for each level.

• Calculators are not permitted during the contest.
• The aim of the AMO is to give more students an opportunity to perform
mathematically on an international stage, and so to discover, encourage and
challenge mathematically gifted students.

Awards:
Each participant will receive a Certificate of Participation or an award certificate and a
medal if he/she wins a Gold/Silver/Bronze award.

1
 Instructions for Using Answer Entry Sheet
DIRECTIONS FOR MARKING ANSWER SHEET EXAMPLES OF SHADING
1. Use ONLY a black 2B lead pencil. DO NOT Use ink or
ballpoint pen. CORRECT WRONG
2. Shade circles of your choice completely. Erase cleanly any
answer you wish to change.
3. Make no stray marks on this answer sheet.
4. DO NOT fold or staple this sheet.

1. Name of Participant & School Name

Write your name and school name in the given space. For example, if your name is James Smith
and your school is Flower Primary School, write your name and school as follows:

2. How to shade the level

Shade your level (grade) in the corresponding circle. For example, if your level is Primary 4, do as
follows:

3. How to shade Index Number

Write your 8-digit index number in the provided boxes and shade the corresponding circle. For
example, if your Index Number is 12345678, do as follows:

2
4. How shade the answers for the questions
Write your answer in the provided boxes and shade the corresponding circle.
Case 1: The answer is a 1-digit number. Shade “0” for the tens and hundreds place.
Example 1: 3 + 4 =? Example 2: 3 × 3 =?
CORRECT WRONG CORRECT WRONG

Case 2: The answer is a 2-digit number. Shade “0” for the hundreds place.
Example 3: 30 − 7 = 23 Example 4: 7 × 12 = 84

3
 CORRECT WRONG CORRECT WRONG

Case 3: The answer is a 3-digit number.

Example 5: 987 − 23 =? Example 6: 9 × 12 = 108
CORRECT WRONG CORRECT WRONG

4
 American Mathematics Olympiad 2017
Primary 6 Contest Paper

Name: ______________________________________________
School: ______________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Please DO NOT OPEN the contest booklet until the Proctor has given permission to start.

2. TIME : 1 hour 30 minutes

3. Attempt all 25 questions. Each question scores 1 point. No points are deducted for incorrect
answers.

4. Write your answers neatly on the answer sheet.

5. PROCTORING : No one may help any student in any way during the contest.

6. No calculators are allowed.

7. All students must fill in your Name and School.

8. MINIMUM TIME: Students must stay in the exam hall at least 1h 15 min.

9. Students must show detailed working and put answers on the answer sheet.

10. No spare papers can be used in writing this contest. Enough space is provided for your
working of each question.

Remark: Counting numbers are whole numbers except 0, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …

AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 1
What is the value of 80 × 3 − 70 × 4 + 60 × 5 − 50 × 6 + 40 × 7 − 30 × 8 + 20 × 9?

Question 2
As shown, the overlap of rectangles ABCD and EFGH is also a
rectangle. The area of ABCD is 174 cm2 and the area of EFGH is
52 cm2 . EF = 13 cm and BC = 29 cm. What is the area, in cm2, of
the entire figure?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 3
What is the value of
(115 + 114 + 113 + 112 + 111) − (101 + 102 + 103 + 104 + 105)?

Question 4
Larry’s 3-digit number satisfies the following conditions:
• The number is not a multiple of 3.
• Exactly one of the digits is a prime number.
• Another digit is a square number.
• The other digit is neither prime nor square.
What is the largest possible value of Larry’s number?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 5
Sandy multiplies 2 × 4 × 5 × 7 × 8 × 11 × 25 × 125 and writes the product as a whole
number. What is the sum of the digits of this whole number?

Question 6
The cost of 2 pencils and 3 markers is $3.80. The cost of 5 pencils and 4 markers is
$5.90. What is the total cost of 26 pencils and 25 markers?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 7
It is given that 25 = ⏟
2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2. If 4096 = 𝑎𝑏 find the sum of all possible values of
5

𝑎 where 𝑏 is a whole number greater than 1.

Question 8
Ten standard dice, each showing a different number from 1 to 6, are rolled and the top
faces are added. How many different sums are possible?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 9
How many perfect squares less than or equal to 500 are the sum of three consecutive
whole numbers?

Question 10
The length of each edge of a cube is increased by 10%. By what percent is the volume
increased?
(If your answer is 13.2%, then write 132; if your answer is 35.6%, then write 356; if
your answer is 4%, then write 004)

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 11
Given that ▲ + ◼ + ⯁ = 16 and ◼ + ⯁ + ⚫ = 21 and ⯁ + ⚫ + ▲ = 18 and ⚫ + ▲
+ ◼ = 14, what is the value of ▲?

Question 12
Sixteen 1cm by 1cm tiles are arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns to form a
single square as shown. The perimeter of the square is 16cm. If the shape
is cut into exactly two pieces along edges of the tiles, what is the greatest
total perimeter of the two pieces, in centimetres, that can be made?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 13
PQR is an isosceles triangle with PQ = QR. Point B is on Q
side 𝑃𝑅
̅̅̅̅ and point A is on side 𝑃𝑄
̅̅̅̅, so that when 𝐴𝐵
̅̅̅̅ is

extended it meets extended side 𝑄𝑅

̅̅̅̅ at point C as shown. A
P R
If triangle BRC is also isosceles with BR = RC and the B 24°
C
measure of C = 24°, find the number of degrees in the
measure of QAC.

Question 14
Phineas forms an ordered list consisting of seven consecutive whole numbers. The sum
of the first, third, and sixth of these numbers is 175. Find the sum of the remaining four
whole numbers.

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 15
A 4 cm by 4 cm by 4 cm solid cube is cut in two identical
rectangular solids, as shown. The top half is fully flipped over
one edge so that they are now tightly side-by-side. What is the
total surface area, in cm2, of the new solid?

Question 16
What is the difference between the sum of the multiples of 3 less than 200, and the sum
of the multiples of 5 less than 250?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 17
What’s the greatest 3-digit number that is divisible by both 24, 28 and 32?

Question 18
Each of 10 cards displays two different symbols, one on the front

and the other on the back. The symbols are , , , ♡, • . The

front of each card is shown. No two cards have the same pair of
symbols. What is the least number of cards you can turn over to
ensure that • will appear?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 19
How many 4-digit multiple of 37 are there in total?

Question 20
In the cryptarithm shown, each letter represents a different digit. How ADD
many possible values of 3-digit number “SUM” are there? A cannot ADD
equal 0. ADD

+ ADD

SUM

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 21
1 1
1+ 1
2+ 1+
Find the whole number value equal to 2
2
4
.
1−
5

Question 22
Lucy is Sherry’s mother. Lucy’s age and Sherry’s age have the same digits, but in
reverse order. In 13 years, Lucy will be twice as old as Sherry. How old will Lucy be
when Sherry reaches her age?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 23
Suppose Jason had a 5 × 5 × 5 cube. He removed a 3 × 2 × 1 cuboid
and a 5 × 1 × 1 cuboid from different corners of the cube. What is the
surface area of the remaining solid?

Question 24
How many different bricks can be formed when the eighty 1 × 1 × 1 cubes are glued
together? [Consider two bricks to be “different” when one brick cannot be rotated or
flipped to exactly coincide with another brick. Therefore, a 2 × 4 × 10 brick and a
4 × 10 × 2 brick are not “different”.]

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 25
The 7 x 7 chessboard contains one shaded square as
shown. How many squares of any size do not include the
shaded square?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 1
What is the value of 80 × 3 − 70 × 4 + 60 × 5 − 50 × 6 + 40 × 7 − 30 × 8 + 20 × 9?
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Look for patterns.
Notice that 80 × 3 = 30 × 8, 70 × 4 = 40 × 7, and 60 × 5 = 50 × 6. Thus the first six
products have a sum of 0. Then 20 × 9 = 180 and 0 + 180 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Apply the order of operations and simplify.
First multiply to find all of the products and then add and subtract:
240 − 280 + 300 − 300 + 280 − 240 + 180 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎.
METHOD 3: Strategy: Factor out a 10 from each of the products.
This simplifies to: 10 × (8 × 3 − 7 × 4 + 6 × 5 − 5 × 6 + 4 × 7 − 3 × 8 + 2 × 9) =
10 × (24 − 28 + 30 − 30 + 28 − 24 + 18) = 10 × (18) = 𝟏𝟖𝟎.
Answer: 180

Question 2
As shown, the overlap of rectangles ABCD and EFGH is also a
rectangle. The area of ABCD is 174 cm2 and the area of EFGH
is 52 cm2 . EF = 13 cm and BC = 29 cm. What is the area, in
cm2 , of the entire figure?

Solution
Strategy: Find the dimensions of the overlap (XYZW) and
eliminate the duplication of the overlap.
Since the area of rectangle EFGH is 52 𝑐𝑚2 and
𝐸𝐹 = 13 𝑐𝑚, then 𝐻𝐸 = 4 𝑐𝑚. Thus, the length of WX is also
4 cm. Likewise, 𝐴𝐵 = 174 ÷ 29 = 6 𝑐𝑚, so that the length of
XY is also 6 cm.
The area of the overlap XYZW is 𝑊𝑋 × 𝑋𝑌 = 24 𝑐𝑚2 . It is
included in the areas of both rectangles, ABCD and EFGH.
The area of the entire figure is
174 + 52 − 24 = 𝟐𝟎𝟐 𝑐𝑚2 .
Answer: 202

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 3
What is the value of
(115 + 114 + 113 + 112 + 111) − (101 + 102 + 103 + 104 + 105)?
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Pair the numbers to find a common difference.
The difference between the first term in the first group and the last term in the second
group is 115 − 105 = 10.
The difference between the second term of the first group and the second last term of
the second group is also 114 − 104 = 10.
This pattern continues for each of the rest of the term pairs. There are five pairs whose
difference is 10, therefore the value is 5 × 10 = 𝟓𝟎.
METHOD 2: Strategy: Find each sum and then take the difference.
The sum of 115 + 114 + 113 + 112 + 111 = 565.
The sum of 101 + 102 + 103 + 104 + 105 = 515. The value of 565 − 515 is 50.
Answer: 050

Question 4
Larry’s 3-digit number satisfies the following conditions:
• The number is not a multiple of 3.
• Exactly one of the digits is a prime number.
• Another digit is a square number.
• The other digit is neither prime nor square.
What is the largest possible value of Larry’s number?
Solution
Strategy: Determine which digits satisfy each condition.
The single digit prime numbers are 2, 3, 5 and 7. The single digit perfect squares are 0,
1, 4 and 9, leaving 6 and 8 as neither prime nor perfect square. Choose the largest digit
in each group and arrange from the greatest to least to get the largest possible number,
987. But 987 is divisible by 3. The greatest possible value of Larry’s number is 985.
Answer: 985

Question 5
Sandy multiplies 2 × 4 × 5 × 7 × 8 × 11 × 25 × 125 and writes the product as a whole
number. What is the sum of the digits of this whole number?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Solution
Strategy: Use the associative and commutative properties.
Reorder and insert parentheses to show grouping: (2 × 5) × (4 × 25) × (8 × 125) × 7 ×
11 = 77,000,000
This has a digit sum of 14.
Answer: 014

Question 6
The cost of 2 pencils and 3 markers is $3.80. The cost of 5 pencils and 4 markers is
$5.90. What is the total cost of 26 pencils and 25 markers?
Solution
Strategy: Write a set of equations to find the cost.
Let P = cost of a pencil and let M = cost of a marker.
Then 2𝑃 + 3𝑀 = 3.80 and 5𝑃 + 4𝑀 = 5.90. 3 times of the first equation plus 4 times of
the second equation will get 26𝑃 + 25𝑀 = 35. So, the total cost of 26 pencils and 25
markers is $35.
Answer: 035

Question 7
It is given that 25 = ⏟
2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2. If 4096 = 𝑎𝑏 find the sum of all possible values of
5
𝑎 when 𝑏 is a whole number greater than 1.
Solution
Strategy: Prime factorize 4096.
2 × 2 × … × 2 × 2 = 212 .
4096 = ⏟
12

212 can be expressed as

(1) 212
(2) (2 × 2)6 = 46
(3) (2 × 2 × 2)4 = 84
(4) (2 × 2 × 2 × 2)3 = 163
(5) (2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2)2 = 642
So, all possible values of 𝑎 are 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 4096. The sum is 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 64 =
𝟗𝟒.
Answer: 094

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 8
Ten standard dice, each showing a different number from 1 to 6, are rolled and the top
faces are added. How many different sums are possible?
Solution
Strategy: Find the range of possible sums.
If each dice shows 1, the total is 10. If each dice shows 6, the total is 60. All whole
number sums from 10 to 60 inclusive are possible. These are all the whole numbers up
to 60, except for 1 through 9. Then 60 − 9 = 𝟓𝟏 different sums are possible.
Answer: 051

Question 9
How many perfect squares less than or equal to 500 are the sum of three consecutive
whole numbers?
Solution
Strategy: Make a list of perfect squares.
The sum of three consecutive whole numbers must be a multiple of 3.
Make a list of the squares which are multiples of 3:
32 = 9 = 2 + 3 + 4
62 = 36 = 11 + 12 + 13
92 = 81 = 26 + 27 + 28
122 = 144 = 47 + 48 + 49
152 = 225 = 74 + 75 + 76
182 = 324 = 107 + 108 + 109
212 = 441 = 146 + 147 + 148
Perfect squares greater that 212 result in a number greater than 500. Therefore there
are only 7 perfect squares less than 500 equal to the sum of three consecutive integers.
Answer: 007

Question 10
The length of each edge of a cube is increased by 10%. By what percent is the volume
increased?
(If your answer is 13.2%, then write 132; if your answer is 35.6%, then write 356; if
your answer is 4%, then write 004)

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Choose a convenient length for the edge.
Let the edge be 10 so the volume is 103 = 1000. Increase the edge by 10% to get 11.
The volume is now 113 = 1331. The percent increase is (1331 − 1000)/1000 = 0.331 =
𝟑𝟑. 𝟏%
METHOD 2: Strategy: Apply the formula for the volume of a cube.
If the side of the original cube is s its volume is V = s 3 . The side of the changed cube is
1𝑠 + 0.1𝑠 = 1.1𝑠 and its volume is 𝑉 = (1.1𝑠)3 = 1.331𝑠 3 . The volume has increased by
0.331 or 33.1%.
Answer: 331

Question 11
Given that ▲ + ◼ + ⯁ = 16 and ◼ + ⯁ + ⚫ = 21 and ⯁ + ⚫ + ▲ = 18 and ⚫ + ▲
+ ◼ = 14, what is the value of ▲?
Solution
Strategy: Sum up all the equations.
(▲ + ◼ + ⯁) + (◼ + ⯁ + ⚫) + (⯁ + ⚫ + ▲) + (⚫ + ▲ + ◼)
= 16 + 21 + 18 + 14 = 69
3 × (▲ + ◼ + ⯁ + ⚫) = 69 ➔ (▲ + ◼ + ⯁ + ⚫) = 23
So, ▲ = 23 − 21 = 𝟐, ◼ = 23 − 18 = 5, ⯁ = 23 − 14 = 9 and ⚫ = 23 − 16 = 7.
Answer: 002

Question 12
Sixteen 1cm by 1cm tiles are arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns to form a
single square as shown. The perimeter of the square is 16cm. If the shape
is cut into exactly two pieces along edges of the tiles, what is the greatest
total perimeter of the two pieces, in centimeters, that can be made?
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Maximize the perimeter by cutting along as many tile edges as
possible.
In order to cut along the most possible tile edges, the cut should not be directly across
or down. By making an indirect cut, the perimeter is maximized. The cut along the
most possible tile edges will be 10 cm. Since the cut will create a new edge for each
figure, it will add 10 × 2 = 20 𝑐𝑚 to the original perimeter. Thus, the greatest combined
perimeter of the two pieces will be 16 + 20 = 𝟑𝟔 𝑐𝑚.

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

METHOD 2: Strategy: Draw pictures.

P = 14 P = 10 P = 16 P = 12 P = 22 P = 10 P = 24 P = 12
Total P = 24 Total P = 28 Total P = 32 Total P = 36
Answer: 036

Question 13
PQR is isosceles with PQ = QR. Point B is on side ̅̅̅̅
𝑃𝑅 Q
and point A is on side 𝑃𝑄 , so that when 𝐴𝐵 is extended it
̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
meets extended side 𝑄𝑅̅̅̅̅ at point C as shown. If BRC is
also isosceles with BR = RC and the measure of C = A
24°, find the number of degrees in the measure of P B
R
24°
QAC.
C
Solution
Strategy: Use properties of angles in triangles.
In  BCR, BR = CR so  BCR   CBR and each measure 24°. Since 24 + 24 = 48, and
the sum of the angles in any triangle is 180°, then m∠𝐵𝑅𝐶 = 180 − 48 = 132°. The
∠𝑄𝑅𝐵 = 180 − 132 = 48°. In  PQR, since 𝑃𝑄 = 𝑄𝑅,  QRP  QPR and each
measures 48°. It follows that m∠𝑄 = 180 − (48 + 48) = 84°. In AQC, ∠𝑄𝐴𝐶 = 180 −
(84 + 24) = 𝟕𝟐°.
Answer: 072

Question 14
Phineas forms an ordered list consisting of seven consecutive whole numbers. The sum
of the first, third, and sixth of these numbers is 175. Find the sum of the remaining four
whole numbers.
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Use algebra.
Let the seven consecutive whole numbers be: x − 3, x − 2, x − 1, x, x + 1, x + 2, and x + 3.
The statement of the problem suggests the following equation: (x − 3) + (x − 1) +
(x + 2) = 175 → 3x − 2 = 175 → 3x = 177 and finally 𝑥 = 177/3 = 59. The seven
consecutive numbers are 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62. The sum of the four requested
numbers is 57 + 59 + 60 + 62 = 𝟐𝟑𝟖.

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

METHOD 2: Strategy: Use number sense.

Seven consecutive numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The sum of the first, third and
sixth numbers is 10. Phineas seeks numbers with a sum of 175. Since 175 − 10 = 165
and 165/3 = 55, we can add 55 to each of the original seven numbers to get the
sequence 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62. The sum of the four remaining numbers is
57 + 59 + 60 + 62 = 𝟐𝟑𝟖.
METHOD 3: Strategy: Use an educated guess.
1
Since three nearly consecutive numbers have a sum of 175, divide 175/3 to get 58 3.
First try a middle number of 58 for the seven numbers. The sum 55 + 57 + 60 ≠ 175.
Next try a middle number of 59. The seven consecutive numbers would be 56, 57, 58,
59, 60, 61, and 62. Verify that 56 + 58 + 61 = 175 so the sum of the other four
numbers is 57 + 59 + 60 + 62 = 𝟐𝟑𝟖.
Answer: 238

Question 15
A 4cm by 4cm by 4cm solid cube is cut in two identical
rectangular solids, as shown. The top half is fully flipped over
one edge so that they are now tightly side-by-side. What is the
total surface area, in 𝑐𝑚2 , of the new solid?
Solution
METHOD 1: Strategy: Determine the dimensions of the new solid
and add the areas of the six faces.
The top and bottom measure 8cm by 4cm, the left and right faces measure 4cm by
2cm, and the front and back faces measure 8cm by 2cm. The surface area is
2 × (8 × 4) + 2 × (4 × 2) + 2 × (8 × 2) = 2 × (32) + 2 × (8) + 2 × (16) = 𝟏𝟏𝟐 𝑐𝑚2 .
METHOD 2: Strategy: Consider the surface area one half at a time.
The surface area of one half of the result is (4 × 2) + (4 × 2) + (4 × 2) + (4 × 2) +
(4 × 4) + (4 × 4) = 64 𝑐𝑚2. Since there are two such solids, we double the result,
2 × 64 = 128 𝑐𝑚2. Finally we need to subtract the areas of the two faces that touch
each other. Thus 128 − 2 × (4 × 2) = 𝟏𝟏𝟐 𝑐𝑚2 .
Answer: 112

Question 16
What is the difference between the sum of the multiples of 3 less than 200, and the sum
of the multiples of 5 less than 250?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Solution
Strategy: Find the multiples of 3 and 5.
The multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, …, 192, 195, and 198. There are 66 such numbers. The
sum of the multiples of 3 is (3 + 198) × 66 ÷ 2 = 6633.
The multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, …, 235, 240 and 245. There are 49 such numbers. The
sum of the multiples of 5 is (5 + 245) × 49 ÷ 2 = 6125.
So, the difference between two numbers is 6633 − 6125 = 𝟓𝟎𝟖.
Answer: 508

Question 17
What’s the greatest 3-digit number that is divisible by 24, 28 and 32?
Solution
Strategy: Use the least common multiple (LCM) of 24, 28 and 32.
Factor 24, 28 and 32 to find the LCM: 24 = 23 × 3, 28 = 22 × 7, and 32 = 25 so the LCM
is 25 × 3 × 7 = 𝟔𝟕𝟐, which is the greatest 3-digit multiple.
Answer: 672

Question 18
Each of 10 cards displays two different symbols, one on the front
and the other on the back. The symbols are , ,, , • . The front
of each card is shown. No two cards have the same pair of
symbols. What is the least number of cards you can turn over to
ensure that • will appear?
Solution
Strategy: Determine the possible pairs of numbers on each tile.
The following is the list of possible pairings, with the first shape
representing the front of the tile:
 ,  ,  ,•
, , •
 ,•
•
Now consider the four tiles that have • on the back. Each row must have exactly one
such tile, or else two tiles would be identical. The • tile, however, is the only tile in the
bottom row. You can point to the tile that shows the and know the back has a • . The
fewest tiles you can point is 1.
Answer: 001
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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 19
How many 4-digit multiples of 37 are there in total?
Solution
Strategy: Use what you know about remainders to find the first and the last number.
The largest 4-digit number is 9999. Divide 9999 by 37 and the quotient is 270 r 9.
Subtract 9 from 9999. 9999 − 9. So the largest 4-digit number is 9,990 = 37 × 270.
The smallest 4-digit number is 1000. Divide 1000 by 37 and the quotient is 27 r 1.
Subtract 1 from 1000. 1000 − 1 = 999. So the smallest 4-digit number is 999 + 37 =
1036 = 37 × 28.
So, there are 270 − 27 = 𝟐𝟒𝟑 4-digit multiples of 37.
Answer: 243

Question 20
In the cryptarithm shown, each letter represents a different digit. How ADD
many possible values of 3-digit number “SUM” are there? A cannot
equal 0. ADD

Solution ADD

Strategy: Find 𝐴𝐷𝐷 × 4 = 𝑆𝑈𝑀. + ADD

The word SUM is a 3-digit multiple of 4 since it is the result of adding 4 SUM
of the same number. The only possible value for A is 1 or 2. D cannot
be less than 3 since D ≠ U ≠ M.
Case 1: A = 1.
If ADD = 133, then 4 × 133 = 532 which means U = 3. But U ≠ D, so ADD ≠ 133.
If ADD = 144, then 4 × 144 = 576. This is a possible solution for SUM.
If ADD = 155, then 4 × 155 = 620. This is a possible solution for SUM.
If ADD = 166, then 4 × 166 = 664 which means U = 6. But U ≠ D, so ADD ≠ 166.
If ADD = 177, then 4 × 177 = 708 which means S = 7. But S ≠ D, so ADD ≠ 177.
If ADD = 188, then 4 × 188 = 752. This is a possible solution for SUM.
If ADD = 199, then 4 × 199 = 796 which means U = 9. But U ≠ D, so ADD ≠ 199.
Case 2: A = 2. D cannot be more than 4, or else will give a 4 digit solution.
If ADD = 233, then 4 × 233 = 932 which means U = 3. But U ≠ D, so ADD ≠ 133.
If ADD = 244, then 4 × 244 = 976. This is a possible solution for SUM.
So, there are 4 possible values for SUM.
Answer: 004

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 21
1 1
1+ 1
2+ 1+
Find the whole number value equal to 2
2 .
4
1−
5

Solution
Strategy: Solve each fraction first.
1 1 1 1
+
1+ 1 5 5 2 4 6
2+2 1+4 + 6
= 2 4 = 5 5 = 5 = =𝟐
2 3 3 3 3
1−
5 5 5 5

Answer: 002

Question 22
Lucy is Sherry’s mother. Lucy’s age and Sherry’s age have the same digits, but in
reverse order. In 13 years, Lucy will be twice as old as Sherry. How old will Lucy be
when Sherry reaches her age?
Solution
Strategy: Make a table for all possible ages.
Since Sherry’s age and Lucy’s age have the same digits but in reverse, they could be 12
and 21; 13 and 31; 14 and 41; etc., as shown in the table below.
Age Sherry 13 14 15 16
Now Lucy 31 41 51 61

Age in 13 Sherry 26 27 28 29
years Lucy 44 54 64 74
Looking at the ages in 13 years, there is only one pair where Lucy’s age would be twice
Sherry’s age, which is 27 and 54. Therefore, Sherry is currently 14 years old and Lucy is
41. When Sherry is 41, Lucy will be 41 + (41 − 14) = 𝟔𝟖 years old.
Answer: 068

Question 23
Suppose Jason had a 5 × 5 × 5 cube. He removed a 3 × 2 × 1 cuboid
and a 5 × 1 × 1 cuboid from different corners of the cube. What is the
surface area of the remaining solid?

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AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Solution
Strategy: Compare the new solid to the original cube.
Removing the 3 × 2 × 1 cuboid and a 5 × 1 × 1 cuboid created five new faces. Each of
those “new” faces is identical to one of the removed faces! But when removing 5 × 1 × 1
cuboid, two of the 1 × 1 faces will not be counted. Thus, the surface area of the new
solid is 6 × (5 × 5) − 2 × (1 × 1) = 𝟏𝟒𝟖 𝑐𝑚2.
Answer: 148

Question 24
How many different bricks can be formed when the eighty 1 × 1 × 1 cubes are glued
together? [Consider two bricks to be “different” when one brick cannot be rotated or
flipped to exactly coincide with another brick. Therefore, a 2 × 4 × 10 brick and a
4 × 10 × 2 brick are not “different”.]
Solution
Strategy: Find the factors of 80.
The prime factorization of 80 are 24 × 5. The possible dimension of the bricks are:
1 × 1 × 80 2 × 2 × 20 4×4×5
1 × 2 × 40 2 × 4 × 10
1 × 4 × 20 2×5×8
1 × 5 × 16
1 × 8 × 10
There are 9 possible bricks can be formed by gluing 80 1 × 1 × 1 cubes.
Answer: 009

29
AMO 2017, Primary 6 Contest

Question 25
The 7 x 7 chessboard contains one shaded square as
shown. How many squares of any size do not include the
shaded square?
Solution
Strategy: Count in an organized way.
The desired number of squares is the same as the total
squares minus the number of squares containing the shaded part.

Total number of squares:

1x1 squares: 72 = 49 squares
2x2 squares: 62 = 36 squares
3x3 squares: 52 = 25 squares
4x4 squares: 42 = 16 squares
5x5 squares: 32 = 9 squares
6x6 squares: 22 = 4 squares
7x7 square: 12 = 1 square
Total squares = 49 + 36 + 25 + 16 + 9 + 4 + 1 = 140

Squares containing the shaded part:

1x1 square: 1 square
2x2 squares: 4 squares
3x3 squares: 6 squares
4x4 squares: 8 squares
5x5 squares: 6 squares
6x6 squares: 4 squares
7x7 square: 1 square

Therefore, the number of squares that do not contain the shaded square is
140 – (1+4+6+8+6+4+1)=110.
Answer: 110

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