The CENTRE for EDUCATION

in MATHEMATICS and COMPUTING

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2021 Gauss Contests

(Grades 7 and 8)

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

(in North America and South America)

Thursday, May 13, 2021

(outside of North America and South America)

Solutions

©2021 University of Waterloo

2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 2

Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing Faculty and Staff

Ed Anderson Conrad Hewitt

Jeff Anderson Angie Hildebrand
Terry Bae Carrie Knoll
Jacquelene Bailey Wesley Korir
Shane Bauman Judith Koeller
Jenn Brewster Laura Kreuzer
Ersal Cahit Bev Marshman
Diana Castañeda Santos Paul McGrath
Sarah Chan Jen Nelson
Ashely Congi Ian Payne
Serge D’Alessio J.P. Pretti
Fiona Dunbar Alexandra Rideout
Mike Eden Nick Rollick
Sandy Emms Kim Schnarr
Barry Ferguson Ashley Sorensen
Steve Furino Ian VanderBurgh
Lucie Galinon Troy Vasiga
Robert Garbary Christine Vender
Rob Gleeson Heather Vo
Sandy Graham Bonnie Yi

Gauss Contest Committee

Ashley Sorensen (Chair), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Kevin Grady (Assoc. Chair), Cobden District P.S., Cobden, ON
Sarah Garrett, Mitchell Woods P.S., Guelph, ON
Kora Lee Gallant, Madeline Symonds M.S., Hammonds Plains, NS
JoAnne Halpern, Toronto, ON
Clay Kellough, Fort Richmond C.I., Winnipeg, MB
David Matthews, Waterloo, ON
John McLoughlin, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB
Nick Rollick, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
David Switzer, Scott Central P.S., Sandford, ON
Rachael Verbruggen, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Robert Wong, Edmonton, AB
Chris Wu, Ledbury Park E. and M.S., Toronto, ON
Lori Yee, William Dunbar P.S., Pickering, ON
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 3

Grade 7
1. Arranging the five numbers from largest to smallest, we get 10 000, 1000, 100, 10, 1.
The middle number is 100.
Answer: (D)
2. Each side of the square has length 5 cm.
The perimeter of the square is 4 × 5 cm = 20 cm.
Answer: (A)

3. The right side of the equation is 10 + 20 = 30.

The equation is true when the left side is also equal to 30.
Since 5 + 25 = 30, the value that goes in the box to make the equation true is 25.
Answer: (E)

4. Reading from the graph, Dan spent 6 hours on homework, Joe spent 3 hours, Bob spent 5 hours,
Susie spent 4 hours, and Grace spent 1 hour.
Adding their times together, Bob and Grace spent the same amount of time on homework as
Dan.
Answer: (C)

5. Each of the five fractions is positive and so the smallest of these fractions is the fraction that
is closest to 0.
Since each fraction has a numerator equal to 1, the smallest of these fractions is the one with
the largest denominator.
Of those given, the fraction that is closest to 0 is thus 19 .
Answer: (E)

6. If the bag contained a total of 6 candies and exactly 5 of these candies were red, then the
probability of Judith choosing a red candy from the bag would be 56 .
Therefore, the total number of candies in the bag could be 6.
Can you explain why each of the other four answers is not possible?
Answer: (D)

7. Each point that lies to the right of the y-axis has an x-coordinate that is positive.
Each point that lies below the x-axis has a y-coordinate that is negative.
Since P (x, y) lies to the right of the y-axis and below the x-axis, then the value of x is positive
and the value of y is negative.
Answer: (B)

8. Begin by locating 2 km on the vertical (Distance) axis. Andrew’s Walking Distance

Next, locate the point on the line graph for which Andrew’s distance 3
walked is 2 km, as shown.
Distance (km)

2
The time in hours corresponding to this point is 34 of an hour greater
than 1 hour. 1

Since 14 of an hour is equal to 15 minutes, then 34 of an hour is

1 2 3
45 minutes, and so it takes Andrew 1 hour, 45 minutes to walk the Time (hours)
first 2 km.
Answer: (C)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 4

9. The five numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 repeat to form the pattern shown.

Thus, the 5th number in the pattern is 9, the 10th number in the pattern is 9, the 15th number
in the pattern is 9, and so on.
Since 220 is a multiple of 5, the 220th number in the pattern is also a 9 and so the 221st number
in the pattern is 5.
Answer: (A)

10. 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. B
F G
From D, if the ant continues travelling right (to E) the path cannot
H C
pass through B (since the ant can travel only right or down). I
Thus, from D, the ant must travel down to B.
From B, there are two paths that end at C, one travelling 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 different paths from A to C that pass through B.
Answer: (C)

11. Solution 1
Writing the numbers that appear in the list, we get
4, 11, 18, 25, 32, 39, 46, 53, . . .
Of the given answers, the number that appears in Laila’s list is 46.
Solution 2
Laila begins her list at 4 and each new number is 7 more than the previous number.
Therefore, each of the numbers in her list will be 4 more than a multiple of 7.
Since 42 is a multiple of 7 (6 × 7 = 42), then 42 + 4 = 46 will appear in Laila’s list.
Answer: (B)

12. If a letter is folded along its vertical line of symmetry, both halves of the letter would match
exactly.
Three of the given letters, H, O and X, have a vertical line of symmetry, as shown.
H L O R X D P E
Answer: (C)

13. Since 4BCE is equilateral, then each of its three interior angles measures 60◦ .
Vertically opposite angles are equal in measure, and so ∠DEA = ∠BEC = 60◦ .
In 4ADE, the sum of the three interior angles is 180◦ .
Thus, x◦ + 90◦ + 60◦ = 180◦ or x + 150 = 180 and so x = 30.
Answer: (E)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 5

14. 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.
For example, 10, 11 and 12 are three consecutive integers, and 10 is one less than the middle
integer 11, and 12 is one more than 11.
So, the sum of the smallest and largest integers is twice the middle integer.
(In the example, 10 + 12 = 2 × 11.)
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)

15. There is no integer greater than 13931 and less than 14000 that is a palindrome. (You should
consider why this is true before reading on.)
Let the next palindrome greater than 13931 be N .
We proceed under the assumption that N is between 14000 and 15000 and will show that this
assumption is correct.
A 5-digit palindrome is a number of the form abcba. That is, the ten thousands digit, a, must
equal the ones digit and the thousands digit, b, must equal the tens digit.
Since N is at least 14000, the smallest possible value of a (the ten thousands digit) is 1.
Since the smallest possible value of a is 1 and N is at least 14000, the smallest possible value
of b (the thousands digit) is 4.
Thus N is a number of the form 14c41.
Letting the hundreds digit, c, be as small as possible we get that N is 14041 and has digit sum
1 + 4 + 0 + 4 + 1 = 10.
Answer: (D)

16. The positive factors of 14 are 1, 2, 7, and 14.

The positive factors of 21 are 1, 3, 7, and 21.
The positive factors of 28 are 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28.
The positive factors of 35 are 1, 5, 7, and 35.
The positive factors of 42 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 42.
There are 3 numbers in the list (14, 21 and 35) that have exactly 4 positive factors.
Answer: (C)

17. The percentage discount of the third price off the original price does not depend on the original
price of the shirt.
That is, we may choose an original price for the shirt and calculate the combined percentage
discount.
Since the discounts are given as percentages, letting the original price of the shirt be $100 might
make the calculations simpler.
If the original price of the shirt is $100 and this price is reduced by 50%, the discounted price
is half of $100 or $50.
A further 40% reduction on $50 is equal to a 100 40
× $50 = 0.40 × $50 = $20 discount.
After both price reductions, the $100 shirt is priced at $50 − $20 = $30 and thus the total
discount is $100 − $30 = $70.
The original price of the shirt was $100, the final discounted price is $70 less, and so the discount
$70
of the third price off the original price is $100 × 100% = 70%.
Answer: (C)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 6

18. The perimeter of 4ABC is equal to AB + BC + CA or AB + BM + M C + CA.

Since AB = CA and BM = M C, then half of the perimeter of 4ABC is equal to AB + BM .
The perimeter of 4ABC is 64 and so AB + BM = 21 × 64 = 32.
The perimeter of 4ABM is 40, and so AM + AB + BM = 40.
Since AB + BM = 32, then AM = 40 − 32 = 8.
Answer: (B)

19. We begin by calling the missing digits A and B, as shown. Each of 5 A

the digits A and B is chosen from the digits 1 to 9 and A 6= B. B 5
The top 2-digit number 5A is at most 59.
Thus, B cannot equal 6, 7, 8, or 9 since the result of subtracting the bottom number from the
top would be negative.
If B = 5, then the bottom number is 55 and for the result to be positive, A could equal 6, 7,
8, or 9 (with the results being 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively).
Thus, there are 4 possible positive results in this case.
If B = 4, then the bottom number is 45 and for the result to be positive, A could equal each
of the digits from 1 to 9 with the exception of 4 (since A 6= B).
In this case, the results of subtracting the bottom number from the top are 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12,
13, and 14 respectively. Thus, there are 8 possible positive results when B = 4.
If B = 3, then the bottom number is 35 and for the result to be positive, A could equal 1, 2,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 (with the results being 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 respectively).
Thus, there are 8 possible positive results when B = 3.
Similarly, when B = 2 there are 8 possible positive results and when B = 1 there are 8 possible
positive results (and each of these results is different from any of the other results).
In total, the number of possible results that are positive is 4 + (8 × 4) = 36.
Answer: (A)

20. The table below shows the possible sums when two standard dice are rolled.
Each sum in bold is equal to a prime number.
Number on the First Die

1 2 3 4 5 6
Number on the Second Die

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Looking at the table above, the total number of possible outcomes is 6 × 6 = 36.
The total number of outcomes for which the sum is a prime number is 15.
15 5
The probability that the sum of the numbers on the top faces is a prime number is 36
= 12
.
Answer: (A)
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 7

21. We begin by considering cases in which 1 is subtracted from numbers that start with one and
are followed by smaller numbers of zeros.

10 100 1000 10 000 100 000

−1 −1 −1 −1 −1
9 99 999 9999 99 999

In the examples above, each result consists of 9s only and the number of 9s is equal to the
number of zeros in the original number. Can you explain why this pattern continues as we
increase the number of zeros?
Since each of the digits in the result is a 9 and the sum of these digits is 252, then the number
of 9s in the result is equal to 252
9
= 28.
The number of zeros in the original number equals the number of 9s in the result, which is 28.
Answer: (B)

22. The perimeter of Figure 1 consists of 4 rectangle side lengths of 10 cm (each of which is
horizontal) and 4 rectangle side lengths of 5 cm (each of which is vertical).
Thus, the perimeter of Figure 1 is (4 × 10 cm) + (4 × 5 cm) = 40 cm + 20 cm = 60 cm.
The perimeter of Figure 2 consists of 4 rectangle side lengths of 10 cm (each of which is
horizontal) and 6 rectangle side lengths of 5 cm (each of which is vertical).
Thus, the perimeter of Figure 2 is (4 × 10 cm) + (6 × 5 cm) = 40 cm + 30 cm = 70 cm.
The perimeter of Figure 3 consists of 4 rectangle side lengths of 10 cm (each of which is
horizontal) and 8 rectangle side lengths of 5 cm (each of which is vertical).
Thus, the perimeter of Figure 3 is (4 × 10 cm) + (8 × 5 cm) = 40 cm + 40 cm = 80 cm.
Each figure after Figure 1 is formed by joining two rectangles to the bottom of the previous
figure.
The bottom edge of a figure (consisting of two 10 cm side lengths) is replaced by two 10 cm
lengths when the two new rectangles are adjoined.
That is, the addition of two rectangles does not change the number of 10 cm side lengths
contributing to the perimeter of the new figure and so the number of 10 cm lengths remains
constant at 4 for each figure.
The addition of two new rectangles does not replace any of the previous 5 cm (vertical) side
lengths.
Thus, the addition of the two rectangles does add two 5 cm vertical segments to the previous
perimeter, increasing the perimeter of the previous figure by 2 × 5 cm = 10 cm.
That is, the perimeter of Figure 1 is 60 cm, and the perimeter of each new figure is 10 cm
greater than the previous figure.
We need to add 10 cm 65 times to get a total of 710 cm (that is, 60 cm + 10 cm × 65 = 710 cm).
Thus, Figure 66 has a perimeter of 710 cm, and so n = 66.
Answer: (C)

23. To encode a letter, James multiplies its corresponding number by 3 and then subtracts 5, con-
tinuing this process a total of n times.
To decode a number, the inverse operations must be performed in the opposite order.
The inverse operation of multiplication is division. The inverse operation of subtraction is ad-
dition.
Thus to decode a number, add 5 and then divide by 3, and continue this process a total of n
times.
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 8

For example, when n = 1 the number 4 (corresponding to the letter D) is encoded to

4 × 3 − 5 = 7. The number 7 is decoded by adding 5 and then dividing by 3. We may
check that this works by noting that (7 + 5) ÷ 3 = 4 (which corresponds to the letter D), as
required.
Each letter of James’ original message corresponds to a number from 1 to 26, inclusive.
To determine the value of n, we may begin with the four given encoded numbers (367, 205, 853, 1339)
and continue to apply the decoding process until the resulting numbers are each equal to a num-
ber from 1 to 26, inclusive (since each letter of the original message corresponds to a number
from 1 to 26, inclusive).
We show this work in the table below.
367 205 853 1339
n=1 (367 + 5) ÷ 3 = 124 (205 + 5) ÷ 3 = 70 (853 + 5) ÷ 3 = 286 (1339 + 5) ÷ 3 = 448
n=2 (124 + 5) ÷ 3 = 43 (70 + 5) ÷ 3 = 25 (286 + 5) ÷ 3 = 97 (448 + 5) ÷ 3 = 151
n=3 16 10 34 52
n=4 7 5 13 19
10
n=5 4 3
6 8
From the table, the first value of n for which each of the four numbers is from 1 to 26 inclusive,
is n = 4.
Further, we note that if n = 5 the original number corresponding to 205 is 10 3
, which is not
possible.
Therefore, the value of n used by James was 4.
(Although the question did not ask for the original message, the letters corresponding to
7, 5, 13, 19 are G, E, M , S.)
Answer: (C)

24. We begin by considering the prime factors (called the prime factorization) of each of the two
numbers, 4 and 4620.
4=2×2
4620 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 7 × 11
Let a pair of positive whole numbers whose greatest common factor is 4 and whose lowest
common multiple is 4620 be (a, b).
Since the pair (a, b) has a greatest common factor of 4, then each of a and b is a multiple of 4
and thus 2 × 2 is included in the prime factorization of each of a and b.
Further, each of a and b cannot have any other prime factors in common otherwise their greatest
common factor would be greater than 4.
The lowest common multiple of a and b is 4620 and so each of a and b is less than or equal to
4620.
Further, if for example a has prime factors which are not prime factors of 4620 then 4620 is
not a multiple of a.
That is, each of a and b must have prime factors which are chosen from 2, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 only.
Summarizing, a is a positive whole number of the form 2 × 2 × m and b is a positive whole
number of the form 2 × 2 × n, where:
• m and n are positive whole numbers
• the prime factors of m are chosen from 3, 5, 7, 11 only
• the prime factors of n are chosen from 3, 5, 7, 11 only
• m and n have no prime factors in common
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 9

In the table below, we list the possible values for m and n which give the possible pairs a and b.
To ensure that we don’t double count the pairs (a, b), we assume that a ≤ b and thus m ≤ n.
m n a b (a, b)
1 3 × 5 × 7 × 11 2×2×1 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 7 × 11 (4, 4620)
3 5 × 7 × 11 2×2×3 2 × 2 × 5 × 7 × 11 (12, 1540)
5 3 × 7 × 11 2×2×5 2 × 2 × 3 × 7 × 11 (20, 924)
7 3 × 5 × 11 2×2×7 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 11 (28, 660)
11 3×5×7 2 × 2 × 11 2×2×3×5×7 (44, 420)
3×5 7 × 11 2×2×3×5 2 × 2 × 7 × 11 (60, 308)
3×7 5 × 11 2×2×3×7 2 × 2 × 5 × 11 (84, 220)
3 × 11 5×7 2 × 2 × 3 × 11 2×2×5×7 (132, 140)
There are 8 different pairs of positive whole numbers having a greatest common factor of 4 and
a lowest common multiple of 4620.
Answer: (D)

25. Since 12 × 12 × 12 = 1728, Jonas uses each of his 1728 copies of a 1 × 1 × 1 cube with the net
shown to build the large cube.
The net contains the numbers 100 and c only, and so each of the numbers appearing on the
exterior faces of the large cube is 100 or c.
Jonas builds the large cube in such a way that the sum of the numbers on the exterior faces is
as large as possible.
Since c < 100, Jonas builds the large cube so that the number of 100s appearing on the exterior
faces is as large as possible (and the number of c’s appearing on the exterior faces is as small
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 12 × 12 × 12 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 10 edge cubes, and so there are 10 × 12 = 120 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 10 × 10 inside cubes, and so there are 6 × 10 × 10 = 600 such cubes.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Let S be the sum of the numbers on the exterior faces of the large cube.
Each corner cube has 3 faces which contribute to S. For S to be as large as possible, 100 will
2021 Gauss Contest Solutions Page 10

appear on exactly 1 of these 3 faces (there is exactly one 100 in the net of the 1 × 1 × 1 cube),
and c will appear on the remaining 2 faces.
Thus, the 8 corner cubes contribute 8 × 100 + 8 × 2 × c or 800 + 16c to S.
Each edge cube has 2 faces which contribute to S.
For S to be as large as possible, 100 will appear on exactly 1 of these 2 faces and c will appear
on the other face.
Thus, the 120 edge cubes contribute 120 × 100 + 120 × c or 12 000 + 120c to S.
Finally, each inside cube has 1 face which contributes to S.
For S to be as large as possible, 100 will appear on this face.
Thus, the 600 inside cubes contribute 600 × 100 or 60 000 to S.
In total, we get S = 800 + 16c + 12 000 + 120c + 60 000 and so S = 136c + 72 800.
Since we want S to be at least 80 000 and 80 000 − 72 800 = 7200, then 136c is at least 7200.
Because 136 × 52 = 7072 and 136 × 53 = 7208, it must be the case that c is at least 53.
Since we want S to be at most 85 000 and 85 000 − 72 800 = 12 200, then 136c is at most 12 200.
Because 136 × 90 = 12 240 and 136 × 89 = 12 104, it must be the case that c is at most 89.
This means that c is a positive integer that is at least 53 and at most 89.
There are 89 − 52 = 37 such integers. (Think of listing the integers from 1 to 89 and removing
the integers from 1 to 52.)
Answer: (C)
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 different 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 difference 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 = 41 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.
◦
Thus, the smallest angle in the triangle meausres 121
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 21 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 21 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 π(1)2 = π.
The area of the larger circle is π(3)2 = 9π.
The area of the larger circle that is not shaded is 9π − π = 8π.
8π
Therefore, the fraction of the area of the larger circle that is not shaded is 9π = 89 .
(Alternately, we could note that the fraction of the area of the larger circle that is shaded is
π
9π
= 19 and so the fraction of the area of the larger circle that is not shaded is 1 − 19 = 98 .)
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 differences 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 difference 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 difference 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 } −2021 = 99...9
| {z }, then S = 1 + 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 different 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 43 of a circle centred at C, has radius D
CD = 4 m, and thus has area 34 π(4 m)2 = 12π 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 41 of a circle (centred at E and G respectively), has radius 2 m,
and thus each has area 41 π(2)2 = π 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 12π m2 + 2 × π m2 = 14π 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) = ( 23 , 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 23 × 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 21 , 32 , 52 , 27 , 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 = 27
4
, 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 45 × 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)