2025 Chapter Competition Solutions

Are you wondering how we could have possibly thought that a Mathlete® would be able
to answer a particular Sprint Round problem without a calculator?

Are you wondering how we could have possibly thought that a Mathlete would be able
to answer a particular Target Round problem in less 3 minutes?

Are you wondering how we could have possibly thought that a particular Team Round
problem would be solved by a team of only four Mathletes?

The following pages provide detailed solutions to the Sprint, Target and Team
Rounds of the 2025 MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition. These solutions show
creative and concise ways of solving the problems from the competition.

There are certainly numerous other solutions that also lead to the correct answer, some
even more creative and more concise!

We encourage you to find a variety of approaches to solving these fun and challenging
MATHCOUNTS problems.

Special thanks to solutions author

Howard Ludwig
for graciously and voluntarily sharing his solutions
with the MATHCOUNTS community.
 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Sprint 1
2 + (2 × 2) + (2 × 2 × 2) = 2 + 4 + 8 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
Sprint 2
There are 3 vowels (A, O, U), each worth 8, and 7 consonants (M, T, H, C, N, T, S), each worth 5. As a
cross-check (it being easy to overlook a letter), let’s count all the letters in MATHCOUNTS and verify
it is 3 + 7 = 10—yes, keep going. The total value is, therefore, 3 × 8 + 7 × 5 = 24 + 35 = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓.
Sprint 3
12𝑥𝑥 = 36, so 𝑥𝑥 = 36/12 = 𝟑𝟑.
Sprint 4
Of the five values (21, 15, 12, 37, 48), only two (12, 48) are multiples of 6, so the probability is 2/5.
Sprint 5
Let 𝐴𝐴, 𝐵𝐵. and 𝐸𝐸 be the current age of Al, Ben, and Ed, respectively. 𝐸𝐸 − 𝐵𝐵 = (𝐴𝐴 + 2) − (𝐴𝐴 − 5) =
(𝐴𝐴 − 𝐴𝐴) + (2 + 5) = 𝟕𝟕.
Sprint 6
= 1. Multiply both sides by 3: 12 − ♥ = 3. Add ♥ − 3 to both sides: 𝟗𝟗 = ♥.
12−♥
3

Sprint 7
𝐴𝐴 = (2 × 10 cm)(2 × 15 cm) = 20 × 30 cm2 = 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 cm2.
Sprint 8
Because only positive values are involved, the least product is the product of the two least elements,
1 and 2, and the greatest product is the product of the two greatest elements, 3 and 4. Therefore,
the desired sum is 1 × 2 + 3 × 4 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
Sprint 9
The figure suggests a linear relationship. When 𝑥𝑥 shifts by 6 from 0 to 6, 𝑦𝑦 shifts 4 from −4 to 0.
Therefore, when 𝑥𝑥 shifts another 6 to 12, 𝑦𝑦 shifts another 4 from 0 to 4.
Sprint 10
A sphere inscribed in a cube is tangent to each face of the cube. Any line segment connecting the
points of tangency on opposite faces of the cube constitutes a diameter of the sphere. Therefore,
both the diameter of the sphere and edge-length of the cube are the same, 6 cm. The radius of the
circle is half that diameter, thus 3 cm. Therefore, the volume enclosed by the sphere is given by
4 4π×27
𝑉𝑉sphere = π(3 cm)3 =
3 3
cm3 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑π cm3 .

Sprint 11
15+7+12+5+𝑥𝑥
= 10, so 𝑥𝑥 = 5 × 10 − 15 − 7 − 12 − 5 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 .
5

Sprint 12
The volume of a rectangular prism is the square root of the product of the surface areas of three
mutually adjacent faces (all three faces intersecting at one vertex). For any such set of three faces,
one face has area 35 in2 , another has area 45 in2 , and yet another has area 63 in2 . The numeric
parts have respective prime factorizations of 5 × 7, 32 × 5, 32 × 7. Therefore, we need
�34 × 52 × 72 (in2 )3 = 32 × 5 × 7 in3 = 9 × 5 × 7 in3 = 45 × 7 in3 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 in3 .

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Sprint 13
The only way to use quarters in 1 quarter is with 1 nickel. Without quarters, there must be 0, 1, 2,
or 3 dimes, with the only choice for nickels in each case being 6 minus twice the number of dimes.
The total number of coin distributions is, therefore, 𝟓𝟓.
Sprint 14
Use the complement technique—shaded area is total area minus unshaded areas. The total area is
4 cm × 5 cm = 20 cm2. The upper left unshaded area is 3 cm × 3 cm/2 = 4.5 cm2. The lower left
unshaded area is 1 cm × 5 cm/2 = 2.5 cm2. The upper right unshaded area is 4 cm × 2 cm/2 =
4 cm2. Therefore, the shaded area is (20 − 4.5 − 2.5 − 4) cm2 = 𝟗𝟗 cm2.
Sprint 15
The total count of marbles is 12 + 7 + 11 + 3 = 33. The first selection is to be pink, which is 3
3 1
desire choices out of 33 total choices, so = . Now there are 32 marbles left to choose from, of
33 11
12 3
which 12 are the desired purple, so 32 = . These two
8
events are independent, so the overall
1 3 𝟑𝟑
probability is the product of these two individual probabilities: × = .
11 8 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖

Sprint 16
The tank volume is 10 ft × 3 ft × 2 ft = 60 ft 3 . At 11:00 the water volume is 70% = 0.7 of the tank
volume, thus 0.7 × 60 ft 3 = 42 ft 3 . After 1 h, it is down to 0.4 × 60 ft 3 = 24 ft 3 , thus dropping
42 ft 3 − 24 ft 3 = 18 ft 3 each hour. Therefore, after 1 h more, the water volume will drop another
18 ft 3 to 24 ft 3 − 18 ft 3 = 𝟔𝟔 ft 3 .
Sprint 17
2025 = 81 × 25 = 34 × 52 , so the requisite sum is 3 + 4 + 5 + 2 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
Sprint 18
Each path starts at 5. Then there are 4 choices: squares 2, 4, 6, or 8. For each of those, there are 2
adjacent corner squares that can be chosen. Then, no matter how you got to where you are, there is
only 1 unused adjacent square. This yields a total of 4 × 2 × 1 = 8 distinct paths. However, these 8
paths are paired based on covering the same four squares, thus having the same sum, and merely
swapping which square is covered by move 1 versus move 3. This results in 4 distinct patterns for
sum: the 2×2 squares in (1) the upper-left corner, (2) the upper-right corner, (3) the lower-left
corner, (4) the lower-right corner. The sum of the respective sums is:
(1 + 2 + 4 + 5) + (2 + 3 + 5 + 6) + (4 + 5 + 7 + 8) + (5 + 6 + 8 + 9) = 12 + 16 + 24 + 28 = 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖.

Sprint 19
The amount of increase in the average is the average increase in the ten values is
(1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10) 10×11/2
10
= 10
= 5.5, so the new average is 9.5 + 5.5 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.

Sprint 20
The prime factorization of 64 is 26 ; that exponent 6 has 4 factors: 6, 3, 2, 1, so we have (26 )1 = 641 ;
(23 )2 = 82 ; (22 )3 = 43 ; (21 )6 = 26 . Desired sum is (64 + 1) + (8 + 2) + (4 + 3) + (2 + 6) = 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗.

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Sprint 21
The first three positive integers violate the triangle inequality theorem, thus do not form a triangle.
With 2 and 3 available, the next length needs to be at least 2 + 3 = 5 to violate the triangle
inequality theorem, so pick 5 for bare minimum violation. Similarly, with 3 and 5 available, the last
length needs to be at least 3 + 5 = 8. We are generating the Fibonacci sequence starting with 1 and
2. The five needed values are 1; 2; 3; 5; 8. Two ways to add these: (1) There are only five values and
they are small integers, so just add them. (2) The sum of a general contiguous finite subsequence of
Fibonacci values is given by 𝐹𝐹𝑚𝑚 + 𝐹𝐹𝑚𝑚+1 + ⋯ + 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛−1 + 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛 = 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛+2 − 𝐹𝐹𝑚𝑚+1 —if you have the Fibonacci
sequence memorized to at least 21 or the problem involved more than five matches, this would be
faster, but for this problem, we have 5 + 8 = 13; 8 + 13 = 21, and the second one in our list is 2, so
subtract 21 − 2 = 19. Therefore, with all lengths being in centimeters, the desired sum is 19 cm.
Sprint 22
For 2𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 + 3, 2𝑥𝑥 > 0 for all real numbers 𝑥𝑥, so the equation requires 𝑥𝑥 + 3 > 0. Dividing both
2𝑥𝑥
sides of the equation by the nonzero value 𝑥𝑥 + 3 yields = 1, so
𝑥𝑥 + 3
2𝑥𝑥 (2𝑥𝑥 )
2 2 2(𝑥𝑥+3) 2𝑥𝑥 ⋅ 23 2𝑥𝑥
= = = = ⋅ 8 = 1 × 8 = 𝟖𝟖.
𝑥𝑥 + 3 𝑥𝑥 + 3 𝑥𝑥 + 3 𝑥𝑥 + 3 𝑥𝑥 + 3
Sprint 23
Square both sides of �6 + 2√5 = 𝑎𝑎 + √𝑏𝑏 yields 6 + 2√5 = 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏 + 2𝑎𝑎√𝑏𝑏, so 𝑏𝑏 = 5 and 𝑎𝑎 = 1.
(With these values for 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏, 𝑎𝑎 + √𝑏𝑏 > 0 and √ applied to a positive value always yields a
positive value, so the signs of the two sides match and squaring both sides will not trigger any
extraneous “solutions”.) Therefore, 𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 = 1 + 5 = 𝟔𝟔.
Sprint 24
2 𝑚𝑚 2
Because 𝑛𝑛 > 0, ≤ < 1 is equivalent to 𝑛𝑛 ≤ 𝑚𝑚 < 𝑛𝑛. Because 𝑚𝑚 and 𝑛𝑛 are integers, we can
3 𝑛𝑛 3
2
tighten the last pair of inequalities to � 𝑛𝑛� ≤ 𝑚𝑚 ≤ 𝑛𝑛 − 1 (where ⌈□⌉ denotes the ceiling operator,
3
the least integer greater than or equal to the one operand, which is enclosed between the two parts
of the operator). Thus, the number of satisfactory values of 𝑚𝑚 for any particular value of 𝑛𝑛 is given
2
by 𝑛𝑛 − � 𝑛𝑛�, which is positive only for 𝑛𝑛 ≥ 3. For 𝑛𝑛 of the form of any of 3𝑘𝑘, 3𝑘𝑘 + 1, 3𝑘𝑘 + 2 for some
3
integer 𝑘𝑘, there are 𝑘𝑘 values of 𝑚𝑚 that satisfy the constraints. For 3 ≤ 𝑛𝑛 ≤ 10, 𝑛𝑛 ranges from 3(1)
through 3(3) + 1, yielding 3 with 𝑘𝑘 = 1, 3 with 𝑘𝑘 = 2, and 2 with 𝑘𝑘 = 3. Therefore, there are in total
3 × 1 + 3 × 2 + 2 × 3 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 distinct (𝑛𝑛, 𝑚𝑚) pairs satisfying the given constraints.
Sprint 25 A E
Establish a coordinate system with the 𝑥𝑥-axis along ����
BD and origin at
C. All coordinates represent number of inches for 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦. Then A is F H G
at �−7, 7√3�; B is at (−14, 0); C is at (0, 0); D is at (+14, 0); E is at
�+7, 7√3�; F is at �−10.5, 3.5√3�; G is at �+10.5, 3.5√3�. The slope B D
C
3.5√3−0 √3
���� is
of BG = . The horizontal distance traversed from B to
10.5−(−14) 7
√3
H is [0 − (−14)] in = 14 in; multiplying that by the slope yields a 𝑦𝑦-coordinate at H of 0 +
7
2√3 =
2√3 . Therefore, H is at �0, 2√3�, which is a distance of 𝟐𝟐√𝟑𝟑 in above C.

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Sprint 26
𝑎𝑎−1 𝑏𝑏−1 𝑐𝑐−1
Let’s define 𝑎𝑎′ = , 𝑏𝑏 ′ = , 𝑐𝑐 ′ = , so that we are dealing with consecutive nonnegative
2 2 2
49−3
integers so as not having to compensate for skips, etc. By now requiring 𝑎𝑎′ + 𝑏𝑏 ′ + 𝑐𝑐 ′ = = 23
2
23−3
with 0 ≤ 𝑎𝑎′ < 𝑏𝑏 ′ < 𝑐𝑐′, we have a parallel case with the same total counts. Now, 0 ≤ 𝑎𝑎′ ≤ � �= 6.
3
For 𝑎𝑎′ = 6, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ ) ranges from (7, 10) to (8, 9) [2 cases]. For 𝑎𝑎′ = 5, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ ) ranges from (6, 12) to
(8, 10) [3 cases]. For 𝑎𝑎′ = 4, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ ) ranges from (5, 14) to (9, 10) [5 cases]. For 𝑎𝑎′ = 3, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ )
ranges from (4, 16) to (9, 11) [6 cases]. For 𝑎𝑎′ = 2, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ ) ranges from (3, 18) to (10, 11) [8 cases].
For 𝑎𝑎′ = 1, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ ) ranges from (2, 20) to (10, 12) [9 cases]. For 𝑎𝑎′ = 0, (𝑏𝑏 ′ , 𝑐𝑐 ′ ) ranges from (1, 22)
to (11, 12) [11 cases]. The total is 2 + 3 + 5 + 6 + 8 + 9 + 11 = 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 valid ordered triples.
Sprint 27
The 𝑘𝑘th term of the series is 4! 𝑘𝑘+3⁠C4 . The sum of the first 𝑚𝑚 such terms is 4! 𝑚𝑚+4⁠C5 . Thus, for
29×28×27×26×25 29×28×27×26×25
𝑚𝑚 = 25, the sum is 4! × = = 29 × 28 × 27 × 26 × 5. The 28 provides
5! 5
2 factors of 2 and the 26 provides 1 factor of 2, for a total of 3 factors of 2. Therefore, 𝑛𝑛 = 𝟑𝟑.
Sprint 28
762 − 752 = (76 + 75)(76 − 75) = 151 × 1 = 151. Similarly, 752 − 742 = 75 + 74 = 149.
Therefore, by linear interpolation, for 742 ≤ 𝑛𝑛 ≤ 752 , √𝑛𝑛 + 1 averages about 1/149 greater than
√𝑛𝑛; for 752 ≤ 𝑛𝑛 ≤ 762 , √𝑛𝑛 + 1 averages about 1/151 greater than √𝑛𝑛. We have 𝑛𝑛 right at 752 , the
boundary between these two intervals, so it is reasonable to expect that √752 + 1 is very close to
1 1 1 0.04
1/150 greater than √752 = 75. Now, = × = = 0.006 � , so √752 + 1 ≈ 75.0067 (true
150 25 6 6
value is 75.006 666 3…]. The first nonzero digit to the right of the decimal mark is 6.
Sprint 29
This technique is sometimes referred to as Simon’s [Rubinstein-Salzedo] Favorite Factoring Trick.
Let’s adjust the satisfying equation by multiplying both sides by (𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏) to get 7𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 2025(𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏).
Now expand the right side and shift both terms to the left side: 7𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 2025𝑎𝑎 − 2025𝑏𝑏 = 0. The
equation is symmetric in 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏. We need to do some factoring somewhat similar to completing
the square, but 7 is prime. To maintain the symmetry for factoring, let’s multiply both sides of the
equation by 7: 0 = 72 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 7(2025𝑎𝑎) − 7(2025𝑏𝑏) = 7𝑎𝑎(7𝑏𝑏 − 2025) − 2025(7𝑏𝑏 − 2025) − 20252
= (7𝑎𝑎 − 2025)(7𝑏𝑏 − 2025) − 20252. Add 20252 to both sides of the equation:
(7𝑎𝑎 − 2025)(7𝑏𝑏 − 2025) = 20252 = 38 × 54 . Now we need to decompose 38 × 54 into all possible
pairs of factors whose product is 38 × 54 such that one factor corresponds to (7𝑎𝑎 − 2025) and the
other factor to (7𝑏𝑏 − 2025). There are (8 + 1)(4 + 1) = 45 positive divisors of 38 × 54 . One of them
is 45, which pairs with itself. The remaining 44 divisors form 22 pairs if we ignore order of factors.
If one factor in a pair matches up, then so does the other factor. Thus, we need consider only the 23
divisors less than or equal to 34 × 52 = 2025, and determine how many of them match, then double
that count because for 𝑎𝑎 < 𝑏𝑏 both (𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) and (𝑏𝑏, 𝑎𝑎) qualify as distinct solutions for this problem,
except that if (45, 45) works, then it is a special case yielding only one solution, not two. Each factor
must match with one of (7𝑎𝑎 − 2025) or (7𝑏𝑏 − 2025), each satisfying (7𝑥𝑥 − 2025) ≡ 5 (mod 7).
Therefore, we will count those numeric divisors of 38 × 54 whose remainder upon dividing by 7 is
5. The divisors of 38 × 54 less than or equal to 2025 are, with those satisfying the modular
congruence in italic: 1; 3; 9; 27; 81; 243; 729; 5; 15; 45; 135; 405; 1215; 25; 75; 225; 675; 2025;
125; 375; 1125; 625; 1875. There are 4 qualifying divisors, thus 8 suitable ordered pairs.

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Sprint 30
Regard △ABC as the base as the tetrahedron and BD as its height, given that BD ���� is perpendicular to
the base. A tetrahedron is a pyramid composed of a triangular base and three lateral triangular
sides, and its volume is 1/3 of the product of the area of the base times the height. Because
𝑚𝑚∠ABC = 90°, the base is a right triangle and its area is BA ⋅ BC/2. The given angular measures
indicate that △ABD and △BCD are 30°-60°-90° triangles, making the longer leg √3 times as long the
shorter leg. 𝑚𝑚∠DAB = 30° means BD is the shorter leg and BA is the longer leg, so BA = √3BD.
𝑚𝑚∠DCB = 60° means BC is the shorter leg and BD is the longer leg, so BC = BD/√3. Therefore, the
1 1 1 BD 1
volume of the tetrahedron is � BA ⋅ BC� ⋅ BD = ��√3 BD� ⋅ � 3�� ⋅ BD = (BD)3 = 2025 cm3.
3 2 6 6 √
3 3 3 𝟑𝟑
Therefore, BD = √6 × 2025 cm3 = √2 × 35 × 52 cm3 = 3√2 × 32 × 52 cm = 𝟑𝟑√𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 cm.

Target 1
10(10+1)
The integers 1 through 10 sum to 2
= 55. Dropping one value would yield a value for the sum
in the interval 45 through 54, of which the only perfect square is 72 = 49, so 55 − 49 = 𝟔𝟔.
Target 2
Because the trapezoid is isosceles, AD ���� ≅ ����
BC. Because DE ���� are
���� and CF D 15 in C
���� ≅ �CF
heights of the trapezoid, DE ���. Therefore, by the Hypotenuse-Leg 4 in
theorem, △DAE ≅ △CBF, so corresponding sides ���� AE and ����
BF are A B
E F
congruent. As opposite sides of a rectangle, EF = DC = 15 in. 21 in
AE + BF = 21 in − EF = 6 in, so AE = BF = 3 in. Thus right triangles
DAE and CBF are 3-4-5 triangles with scale factor 3 in and AD = BC = 5 in. Therefore, the perimeter
is 21 in + 15 in + 2 × 5 in = 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 in.

Target 3
7−5
Line 1 passes through (2, 5) and (0, 7), so its slope is 𝑚𝑚1 = = −1.
0−2
1 1
The slope of perpendicular line 2 is 𝑚𝑚2 = − =− = 1.
𝑚𝑚1 −1
Therefore, line 2 passes through (2, 5) and (0, 𝑏𝑏2 ) for 𝑏𝑏2 = 5 + (0 − 2)1 = 𝟑𝟑.

• [NOTE: There was some controversy over the form of the answer at some of the competitions.
There are two different definitions of 𝑦𝑦-intercept in common use:
(1) the 𝑦𝑦-value of a line or curve when 𝑥𝑥 = 0;
(2) the coordinates of a point, as an ordered pair, where a line or curve intersects the 𝑦𝑦-axis.
In this question, the 𝑦𝑦-intercept would be stated as 3 per definition (1) and as (0, 3) per
definition (2). Some students wrote the latter as the answer—likely because a teacher taught
them vehemently and vigorously that an intercept is always and only a point, which, therefore,
must be expressed as an ordered pair with both components explicitly stated no matter what.
Different mathematicians working in different branches of mathematics often find it convenient
and useful to borrow a term from another branch but tweak the definition to suit their own
special purposes; there is no authoritative organization in mathematics to remedy such
differences. It is appropriate for a teacher to state the specific definitions that will be adhered to
in class, likely subject to deduction of points if violated in classwork; however, students should
also be made aware that there are people who use alternative definitions that are not wrong

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
outside that class, and students will likely encounter some of them, so a person needs to be
flexible when reading mathematics material. In the case of this question, there are three very
strong indicators—two within the question itself and one in the School Handbook—that the
correct answer is 3, not (0, 3):
(1) The question states “the 𝑦𝑦-intercept of one of the lines is 7”, thus providing an explicit
example of what is being looked for, so follow the same pattern for the answer, even if that
pattern does not match what you were taught. The instructions in a question prevail.
(2) With the one exception of monetary amounts, the default is that all answers are integers
unless explicitly stated to the contrary (Express your answer in simplest radical form. Express
your answer as a common fraction. …). An ordered pair of integers does not qualify as an
integer, so if the answer was to be given as an ordered pair, then that would have been
explicitly stated, but it was not.
(3), In this year’s School Handbook on page 25 in the lower right corner, there is a table
“Equation of a Line” and the second entry is “Slope-Intercept Form” with equation “𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑏𝑏”,
where “𝑚𝑚 = slope 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑦𝑦-intercept”, so that the real number 𝑏𝑏, thus not the coordinate (0, 𝑏𝑏), is
explicitly stated to be the 𝑦𝑦-intercept.
Therefore, the directive to scorers at the concerned competitions was to regard (0, 3) as an
incorrect answer.
Target 4
The only ways to add distinct prime numbers to yield 10 are 2 + 3 + 5 and 3 + 7. For products of
these sets of primes to be less than 100, we have 2 × 3 × 5 = 30; 22 × 3 × 5 = 60; 2 × 32 × 5 = 90;
3 × 7 = 21; 32 × 7 = 63. The sum is 30 + 60 + 90 + 21 + 63 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.
Target 5
By subtracting 2 from the various inequalities, −6 ≤ 𝑥𝑥 + 2 ≤ 6 is equivalent to −8 ≤ 𝑥𝑥 ≤ 4, which
has 4 − (−8) + 1 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 integer solutions.
Target 6
The two moduli, 5 and 7, are small, so brute force works faster than a high-powered technique like
Chinese remainder theorem. To step through candidates faster, focus on the greater number 7. The
least positive integer of the form 7𝑘𝑘 + 1 is 7 (for 𝑘𝑘 = 0). That is not a multiple of 5. Increment by 7:
8 (No); 15 (Yes). With the moduli 5 and 7 being relatively prime, the next qualifying values will
occur in steps of 5 × 7 = 35, so the first three are 15; 50; 85. This is an arithmetic sequence of
terms whose sum is the product of the count of terms times the median value: 3× 50 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
Target 7
Designate the 𝑛𝑛th triangular number as 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛 , with 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛 = 1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 𝑛𝑛 = 𝑛𝑛(𝑛𝑛 + 1)/2 for any
positive integer 𝑛𝑛. Thus, 𝑇𝑇8 is the sum of the integers 1 through 8. Subtracting 𝑇𝑇6 means subtracting
the integers 1 through 6, which are the first 6 terms of 𝑇𝑇8 , leaving only 7 + 8 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Target 8 𝑦𝑦 C(20, 25)
Because the triangle is specified to be equilateral, rotating line segment
����
BA by +60° about B would result in a match with BC ����. Drop an altitude
����
from C meeting BA at midpoint D. △CBD is a 30°-60°-90° triangle.
Going from B to D involves moving 𝑎𝑎/2 right and 𝑏𝑏/2 down. B(0, 𝑏𝑏)
DC = √3 BD and ����
DC ⊥ ����
BD, so the motion from D to C involves D(𝑎𝑎/2, 𝑏𝑏/2)
multiplying the motions from B to D by √3, and, because the slopes of 𝑥𝑥
A(𝑎𝑎, 0)
two perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals of each other,
swapping which value is horizontal and vertical, and negating one of the two motions so that we are
1 √3 1 √3
moving up and right. Thus, point A would be transformed to � 𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏, 𝑏𝑏 + 𝑎𝑎� = C = (20, 25).
2 2 2 2
Therefore, we have a system of two linear equations in the two unknowns 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏.
1 √3
𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 = 20, which can be simplified a bit to Eqn ① 𝑎𝑎 + √3𝑏𝑏 = 40.
2 2
√3 1
𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 = 25, which can be simplified a bit to Eqn ② √3𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 = 50.
2 2
√3① − ② yields 2𝑏𝑏 = 40√3 − 50, and √3② − ① yields 2𝑎𝑎 = 50√3 − 40. Therefore,
√3𝑠𝑠2
𝑎𝑎 = 25√3 − 20 and 𝑏𝑏 = 20√3 − 25. The area of an equilateral triangle with side length 𝑠𝑠 is .
4
2 2
Now, 𝑠𝑠 2 = (AB)2 = 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏 2 = �25√3 − 20� + �20√3 − 25�
= �1875 − 1000√3 + 400� + �1200 − 1000√3 + 625� = 4100 − 2000√3, so the triangular area is
= 1025√3 − 1500 = 275.352⁠ …, which rounds to the nearest
√3�4100−2000√3� �4100√3−6000�
4
= 4
hundredth as 275.35.

Team 1
𝐴𝐴 = 4𝑃𝑃; 100 = 𝐴𝐴 + 𝑃𝑃 = 5𝑃𝑃; 𝑃𝑃 = 100/5 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.
Team 2
There is a total of 8 + 3 + 7 + 10 = 28 students, of which 7 are wearing both long pants and a
jacket, so the desired probability is 8/28 = 𝟐𝟐/𝟕𝟕.
Team 3
Selling 60 kazoos requires buying 60/4 = 15 packs at $3 per pack for a total of $45 spent. Then they
are resold as 20 sets of 3 and $2.85 per set for a total of $57 revenue. The profit is $57 − $45 =
$𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 $𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎.
Team 4
1 1
Let 𝑑𝑑 be the number of doughnuts bought by Ashton. Then 24 = �1 − � �1 − � 𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑/3, so 𝑑𝑑 =
2 3
3 × 24 = 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕.
Team 5
There are 3 rows, 3 columns, and 2 diagonals for a total of 8 qualifying arrangements out of a total
9 9×8×7
of � � = = 12 × 7 = 84 possible arrangements (ordering of selection of the three squares is
3 3×2×1
8 𝟐𝟐
unimportant and not accounted for in both cases). Therefore, the probability is = . 84 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐

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 2025 CHAPTER COMPETITION Solutions
Team 6
𝐷𝐷 = 2𝐵𝐵 = 3𝑀𝑀; 𝐵𝐵 = 𝑀𝑀 + 8. Therefore, 3𝑀𝑀 = 𝐷𝐷 = 2𝐵𝐵 = 2(𝑀𝑀 + 8) = 2𝑀𝑀 + 16. Subtracting 2𝑀𝑀 from
both ends yields 𝑀𝑀 = 16, 𝐷𝐷 = 3𝑀𝑀 = 3 × 16 = 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒.
Team 7
Start with the greatest possible square and work downward decomposing squares into sums of
smaller squares. For the following list, in the interest of space and readability, when a particular
perfect square occurs at least 3 times, it is denoted as a product of the count times the square:
[1] 42 + 12 + 12 ; [2] 32 + 32 ; [3] 32 + 22 + 22 + 12 ; [4] 32 + 22 + 5(12 ); [5] 32 + 9(12 );
[6] 4(22 ) + 12 + 12 ; [7] 3(22 ) + 6(12 ); [8] 22 + 22 + 10(12 ); [9] 22 + 14(12 ); [10] 18(12 ).
There are 10 ways.
Team 8
The sum of the terms of a finite arithmetic sequence is the product of the number of terms times the
average of the first and last terms. There are 100 terms, the first of which is given to be 32. We are
also given that the second term is 35, so the common difference is 35 − 32 = 3. The last term is
term #100, which is 99 after term #1, so the last term is 32 + 99 × 3 = 329. Therefore, the sum is
32+329 361
100 × 2
= 100 ×
2
= 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎.

Team 9
Let 𝑝𝑝, 𝑛𝑛, and 𝑑𝑑 be the number of pennies, nickels, and dimes, respectively. We are given 𝑑𝑑 = 𝑛𝑛 + 3,
𝑛𝑛 = 𝑝𝑝 + 6, so 𝑑𝑑 = 𝑝𝑝 + 9. The total number of coins is 𝑝𝑝 + 𝑛𝑛 + 𝑑𝑑 = 𝑝𝑝 + (𝑝𝑝 + 6) + (𝑝𝑝 + 9) = 3𝑝𝑝 + 15.
We need the total value of the coins. The value of each penny, nickel, and dime is 1 ¢, 5 ¢, and 10 ¢,
respectively. The total value is 𝑝𝑝(1 ¢) + 𝑛𝑛(5 ¢) + 𝑑𝑑(10 ¢) = 𝑝𝑝(1 ¢) + (𝑝𝑝 + 6)(5 ¢) + (𝑝𝑝 + 9)(10 ¢) =
16𝑝𝑝 ¢ + 120 ¢. The average coin value is 7 ¢, so the total value is (3𝑝𝑝 + 15)(7 ¢) = 21𝑝𝑝 ¢ + 105 ¢.
The two expressions of the total value must be equal, so we have 16𝑝𝑝 ¢ + 120 ¢ = 21𝑝𝑝 ¢ + 105 ¢.
Each term in the equation has a common factor ¢, so divide both sides of the equation by ¢.
Subtracting 16𝑝𝑝 + 105 from both sides yields 15 = 5𝑝𝑝, so 𝑝𝑝 = 15/5 = 3 and 𝑑𝑑 = 𝑝𝑝 + 9 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
Team 10
���� and the 𝑦𝑦-axis along DB
Set up an 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥-coordinate plane with the 𝑥𝑥-axis along AC ����, so that the origin O
���� and the four vertices in question are A(−12, 0), C(12, 0), B(0, 16), and
is at the midpoint of AC
D(0, 9)—with OD = 9 deriving from CDO being a 3-4-5 right triangle with scale factor 3, and
OB = 16 deriving from CBO being a 3-4-5 right triangle with scale factor 4. The point of minimum
sum must be on the 𝑦𝑦-axis, because moving to the right from the 𝑦𝑦-axis causes PA to increase
slightly faster than PC decreases, plus PB and PD increase as well; symmetry says the case of P
moving left of the 𝑦𝑦-axis behaves likewise. If P starts at O and moves toward D, each unit of
movement causes PB + PD to decrease by 2 while PA + PC increases much less, for a net decrease
in the sum. Once P passes D moving toward B, PB decreases at the same rate that PD increases, but
PA and PC are increasing. Therefore, D is the optimum position, resulting in DA + DB + DC + DD =
15 + 7 + 15 + 0 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑.

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