THE SOUTH AFRICAN MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

SENIOR SECOND ROUND 2018

Solutions
1. Answer 820 √
2018 − (1000 + 100) − ( 100)2 + 2 = 2018 − 1100 − 100 + 2 = 820.
2. Answer 012
From left to right, the first pile has six blocks, the second four blocks, and the third
two blocks. The total number of blocks is 6 + 4 + 2 = 12.
3. Answer 009
The two smaller numbers must be positive, different, and as small as possible, that
is, 1 and 2. The largest number is therefore 12 − 1 − 2 = 9.
4. Answer 031
The numbers of problems solved on the five days are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and the total
number of problems solved is 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 = 31, which can also be found from
the formula 25 − 1.
5. Answer 052
The area of a square with perimeter P is ( 41 P )2 = 16 1
P 2 , and the area of a circle
P 2 1 16
with circumference P is π( 2π ) = 4π P 2 . The ratio of the areas is therefore 4π = π4 ,
4
so the area of the circle is π (13π) = 52.
6. Answer 006
If the child’s age is x, then x + 3 = (x − 3)2 , giving x2 − 7x + 6 = 0, which has
solutions x = 6√or x = 1. [The answer x = 1 is not valid, because then x +√
3 = 4 and
x − 3 = −2 6= 4. Remember that square roots cannot be negative, and 4 = +2.]
7. Answer 968
If the original triangle has base b and height h, then 21 bh = 800. The new triangle
has base 1.1 × b and height 1.1 × h, so its area is 12 (1.1b)(1.1h) = 1.21 × 12 bh =
1.21 × 800 = 968.
8. Answer 960
There are ten such numbers from 51 to 141, so
51 + 61 + · · · + 131 + 141 = 10 × 12 (51 + 141) = 5 × 192 = 960,
using the formula for the sum of an arithmetic series. [Otherwise simply add them.]
9. Answer 100
b = 180◦ −110◦ = 70◦ , so ABD
Since ABkCD, it follows that ABC b = 70◦ −30◦ = 40◦ .

Then B AD b = 40◦ also, since AD = BD, and finally ADB

b = ABD b = 180◦ − (40◦ +
◦ ◦
40 ) = 100 .
10. Answer 032
If the larger number is n, then the smaller is n − 8, so 4(n − 8) = 3n, giving n = 32.
11. Answer 477
From 25 to 99 there are 99 − 25 + 1 = 75 numbers with two digits each, and from
100 to 208 there are 208 − 100 + 1 = 109 numbers with three digits each. The total
number of digits is therefore 2 × 75 + 3 × 109 = 477.
12. Answer 061
If Thembi has k keyrings, then k − 1 must be positive and divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5. The
smallest value of k − 1 is the LCM of 2, 3, 4, 5, which is 60, so k = 61.

13. Answer 401

The sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the remaining side,
so if the unknown side is s cm, then 150 + s > 200. The smallest integer value is
therefore s = 51, and the minimum perimeter is 200 + 150 + 51 = 401.

14. Answer 009

If the tens and units digits of the number are T and U , then the number is 10T + U ,
which is equal to T × U + T + U . Therefore 9T = T U , so U = 9 (since T 6= 0), and
T can have any value from 1 to 9. [If T = 0, then it is not a 2-digit number.]

15. Answer 270

Since the paths are straight lines, the pairs of angles

A1 and A2 , B1 and B2 , and D1 and D2 are supplemen-
tary angles. Considering the sum of all the angles of
the three quadrilaterals XACD, AY BC and CBZD,
we have the following:

x + ∠A + y + ∠B + z + ∠D + 3 × ∠C = 3 × 360◦
∴ x + 180◦ + y + 180◦ + z + 180◦ + 3 × 90◦ = 3 × 360◦
∴ x + y + z = 270◦

A much easier, shorter solution is to consider the special case of respectively moving
Y to H, X to I, and Z to J, from which it immediately follows that x + y +
z = 3 × 90◦ = 270◦ . One can use this simplified method because the sum of the
marked angles is clearly independent of the positions of X, Y and Z. (This strategy
holds provided a part of all the indicated paths remain on the respective surfaces
containing the three quadrilaterals XACD, AY BC and CBZD. For example,
moving X to C, Y to the corner directly below C, and Z to J would not be valid,
since no part of the path XDZ would then still lie on the rectangular surface
containing quadrilateral XACD.)

16. Answer 039

If g(x) = f (x) − 5 = ax7 + bx3 + cx, then g(x) involves only odd powers of x, so
g(−x) = −g(x). Therefore f (7) = g(7) + 5 = −g(−7) + 5 = −[f (−7) − 5] + 5 =
−[−29 − 5] + 5 = 39.

17. Answer 048

The horizontal distance
√ between A and B is 11 − 3 = 8, so√the vertical distance
between them is 8 35, since they lie on a line of gradient 35. By Pythagoras’
theorem, AB 2 = 82 (1 + 35) = 82 × 62 , so AB = 48.

18. Answer 003

We are given that 2a + b = 15, so b = 15 − 2a. Considering the possible values of a
 from 1 to 9, we must eliminate:
a = 1 and a = 2 because b > 9,
a = 5 because b = a,
a = 6 because 636 is divisible by 4,
a = 8 and a = 9 because b < 0.
This leaves the three numbers 393, 474, and 717.

19. Answer 004

The sequence Sk contains 2019 if 2019 = 1 + mk for some m, that is, if k is a factor
of 2018, so we need all the factors of 2018. Clearly 2018 = 2 × 1009, and (not so
easily) 1009 √
is prime. (You need to test for divisibility by all primes up to 31, that
is, less than 1009). Thus the four factors of 2018 are 1, 2, 1009, and 2018.

20. Answer 010

The sum of the roots of the equation is −a, so a must also be an integer. For rational
roots, the discriminant a2 − 24a must be a perfect square, say a2 − 24a = d2 , and we
complete the square to give (a − 12)2 = d2 + 122 . The Pythagorean triples including
12 are 3 × (3, 4, 5), 4 × (3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), and (12, 35, 37), so a − 12 = ±15, ±20,
±13, ±37 or ±12 (in the case that d = 0). This gives 10 values of a for which the
equation has rational roots, and a quick check shows that in all 10 of these cases
the roots are indeed integers.

21. Answer 018

In square metres, let x be the area covered by three layers of carpet, and z the area
covered by exactly one layer. Then x + 24 + z = 140 and 3x + 2(24) + z = 200.
These equations simplify to x + z = 116 and 3x + z = 152, so 2x = 36 and x = 18.
Alternatively, as with finding the number of elements in the union of three sets, it
is possible to use a Venn diagram or the Principle of Inclusion and Exclusion.

22. Answer 027

The series ends after at most four games, and we can list the sequences of game
winners leading to an overall series win for A:
AA (probability 41 );
ABA, BAA (probability 18 each);
1
ABBA, BABA, BBAA (probability 16 each).
Thus the probability of a series win for A is 14 + 28 + 16
3
= 11
16
, and 11 + 16 = 27.

23. Answer 021

Since Y E × M E = T T T = T × 3 × 37, we know that one of the factors (say Y E)
is divisible by 3 and the other factor M E is divisible by 37, so M E = 37 or 74.
If M E = 74, then E = 4, so Y E = 24 or 54 or 84, which are all too large, since
74×24 > 1000.Thus M E = 37 and Y E can only be 27, since 57 and 87 are too large.
Therefore the equation is 27 × 37 = 999 and E + M + T + Y = 7 + 3 + 9 + 2 = 21.
24. Answer 200
EA
Firstly tan(ABE)
b =
AB
= 12 , so

b ) = tan(45◦ − α) = 1 − 21 1
tan(E BF 1 = .
1 + 1. 2 3

√
For convenience, let x = 20 3. Then√4ABC has area√2x2 and 4ABE has area
x2 . By Pythagoras’ theorem, BE = x 5, so EF = 31 x 5 and the area of 4BEF
is 56 x2 . Finally, the area of 4CEF equals 2x2 − x2 − 56 x2 = 61 x2 = 200.
The fact that tan−1 ( 12 ) + tan−1 ( 13 ) = 45◦ can be proved in other ways, for example,
by joining the points (2; 1) and (1; 3) to the origin and to each other to form an
isosceles right-angled triangle. This breaks the right angle xOy into the angles
tan−1 ( 12 ), 45◦ , and tan−1 ( 31 ).
Alternatively, drop a perpendicular from F to AC to intersect it at D. Then
4CF A|||4CBA and 4EF D|||4BEA. Therefore, if we let F D = y, then CD = y
√ 20
and DE = 2y. Hence CE = 3y = 20 3y and so y = √ . Thus, area of
3

1 √ 20
4CF E = × 20 3 × √ = 200.
2 3

25. Answer 970 √ √ √ √

Firstly, let a = ( 3 + 2)2 = 5 + 2 6, so we must estimate a3 . If b = 5 − 2 6,
then a + b = 10 and ab = 1, so

1000 = (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2 b + 3ab2 + b3 = a3 + 3ab(a + b) + b3 = a3 + 30 + b3 .

It follows that a3 = 970 − b3 = 970 − a−3 , which is just less than 970.
√ √
Alternatively, instead of trying to compute ( 3 + 2)6 directly, we compute some-
thing slightly larger and easier to compute,
√ because
√ 6 many√ terms√ 6 cancel. Namely,
using the binomial theorem, √ we compute
√ ( 3 + 2) + ( 3 − 2) = 2[27 + 15(18 +
12)
√ + 8] √ =6 970. Since 0 < 3 − 2 < 1, 970 is the smallest integer larger than
( 3 + 2) .
24. Antwoord 200
EA
Eerstens: tan(ABE)
b =
AB
= 21 , sodat
1− 12 1
tan(E BF
b ) = tan(45◦ − α) = = .
1 + 1. 21 3
√
Geriefshalwe laat ons x = 20 3. Dan is 4ABC se oppervlakte √ 2x2 en 4ABE√ se
oppervlakte x2 . Uit Pythagoras se stelling is BE = x 5, sodat EF = 31 x 5 en
die oppervlakte van 4BEF is 65 x2 . Die oppervlakte van 4CEF is dan gelyk aan
2x2 − x2 − 65 x2 = 61 x2 = 200.
Die feit tan−1 ( 12 ) + tan−1 ( 31 ) = 45◦ kan op ander maniere bewys word, bv. deur die
punte (2; 1) en (1; 3) met die oorsprong en met mekaar te verbind om ’n gelykbenige
reghoekige driehoek te vorm. Nou is die regte hoek xOy opgebreek in die hoeke
tan−1 ( 21 ), 45◦ , en tan−1 ( 31 ).
Alternatiewelik, kan ons ’n loodlyn vanaf F op AC trek om AC in D te sny.
Dan is 4CF A|||4CBA en 4EF D|||4BEA. As F D = y, dan is CD = y en
√ 20
DE = 2y. Dus is CE = 3y = 20 3y en y = √ en die oppervlakte van
3
1 √ 20
4CF E = × 20 3 × √ = 200.
2 3
25. Antwoord 970 √ √ √ √
Eerstens, laat a = ( 3 + 2)2 = 5 + 2 6, en nou kan ons a3 skat. As b = 5 − 2 6,
is a + b = 10 en ab = 1, sodat
1000 = (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2 b + 3ab2 + b3 = a3 + 3ab(a + b) + b3 = a3 + 30 + b3 .
Dit volg nou dat a3 = 970 − b3 = 970 − a−3 , wat net kleiner is as 970.
√ √
Alternatiewelik, kan ons iets makliker en net groter as ( 3 + 2)6 probeer bereken,
waar meer terme kan uitkanselleer. Deur die binomiaalstelling te gebruik, bereken
√ √ √ √
ons √
dan (√3 + 2)6 + ( 3 − 2)6 = 2[27 + 15(18 + 12) √ +√ 8] = 970. Omdat
0 < 3 − 2 < 1, is 970 die kleinste heelgetal groter as ( 3 + 2)6 .
18. Antwoord 003
Uit 2a + b = 15 het ons b = 15 − 2a. Uit die moontlike waardes van a van 1 tot 9,
moet ons sekere waardes elimineer:
a = 1 en a = 2, want b > 9,
a = 5, want b = a,
a = 6, want 636 is deelbaar deur 4,
a = 8 en a = 9, want b < 0.
Dit laat die drie getalle, naamlik 393, 474, en 717.
19. Antwoord 004
Die ry Sk bevat 2019 as 2019 = 1 + mk vir sommige m, i.e., as k ’n faktor van 2018
is, en gevolglik benodig ons al die faktore van 2018. Ons weet dat 2018 = 2 × 1009,
en (dalk nie so maklik nie) dat 1009 priem is. (Jy
√ moet vir deelbaarheid deur alle
priemgetalle toets tot by 31, m.a.w. kleiner as 1009). Dus is die vier faktore van
2018 gelyk aan 1, 2, 1009 en 2018.
20. Antwoord 010
Die som van die wortels van die vergelyking is −a, sodat a ook ’n heelgetal moet
wees. Vir rasionale wortels is die diskriminant a2 − 24a ’n volkome vierkant, a2 −
24a = d2 , en met vierkantsvoltooiing het ons dan (a − 12)2 = d2 + 122 . Die Pythago-
rasdrietalle wat 12 insluit, is 3 × (3, 4, 5), 4 × (3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), en (12, 35, 37),
sodat a − 12 = ±15, ±20, ±13, ±37 of ±12 (in die geval waar d = 0). Dit gee 10
waardes vir a waarvoor die vergelyking rasionale wortels het, en ’n vinnige toets vir
elke geval toon dat al hierdie wortels inderdaad heelgetalle is.
21. Antwoord 018
Laat x die oppervlakte, in vierkante meter, wees van die deel wat bedek is deur
drie lae mat. Laat z die oppervlakte wees van die deel wat deur slegs een laag mat
bedek word. Dan is x + 24 + z = 140 en 3x + 2(24) + z = 200. Hierdie vergelykings
vereenvoudig na x + z = 116 en 3x + z = 152, sodat 2x = 36 en x = 18.
Alternatiewelik, soos ons die aantal elemente vind in die vereniging van drie ver-
samelings is dit moontlik om ’n Venn diagram te gebruik of the Beginsel van In-
sluiting en Uitsluiting.
22. Antwoord 027
Die reeks eindig na ’n maksimum van vier spelle, en ons kan dan ’n lys maak van
die spelwenners wat lei tot ’n totale reeksoorwinning vir A:
AA (waarskynlikheid 41 );
ABA, BAA (waarskynlikheid 81 each);
ABBA, BABA, BBAA (waarskynlikheid 1 elk. 16
3 11
Dus is die waarskynlikheid van ’n reeksoorwinning vir A gelyk aan 14 + 82 + 16 = 16 ,
en 11 + 16 = 27.
23. Antwoord 021
Omdat Y E × M E = T T T = T × 3 × 37, weet ons dat een van die faktore (bv. Y E)
deelbaar is deur 3 en die ander faktor M E deelbaar is deur 37, sodat M E = 37 of 74.
As M E = 74, dan is E = 4, en Y E = 24 of 54 of 84, wat almal te groot is, want
74 × 24 > 1000. Dus is M E = 37 en Y E kan slegs 27 wees omdat 57 en 87 albei te
groot is. Die vergelyking is dan 27×37 = 999 en E +M +T +Y = 7+3+9+2 = 21.
11. Antwoord 477
Vanaf 25 tot 99 is daar 99 − 25 + 1 = 75 getalle met twee syfers elk, en vanaf 100
tot 208 is daar 208 − 100 + 1 = 109 getalle met drie syfers elk. Die totale aantal
syfers is dus 2 × 75 + 3 × 109 = 477.
12. Antwoord 061
Thembi het k sleutelringe, en k − 1 is positief en deelbaar deur 2, 3, 4, 5. Die kleinste
waarde van k − 1 is die KGV van 2, 3, 4, 5, wat gelyk is aan 60, en dus is k = 61.
13. Antwoord 401
Die som van enige twee sye van ’n driehoek moet groter wees as die derde sy en
as die onbekende sy s cm is, is 150 + s > 200. Die kleinste heelgetalwaarde is dan
s = 51, en die kleinste omtrek is 200 + 150 + 51 = 401.
14. Antwoord 009
As die tiene- en enesyfers van die getal onderskeidelik T en U is, is die getal 10T +U ,
wat gelyk is aan T × U + T + U . Dan is 9T = T U , sodat U = 9 (omdat T 6= 0), en
T kan enige waarde van 1 tot 9 hê. [As T = 0, dan is dit nie ’n 2-syfergetal nie.]
15. Antwoord 270
Aangesien die paaie reguit lyne is, is die pare hoeke A1
en A2 , B1 en B2 , en D1 en D2 supplementêre hoeke.
Beskou die som van al die hoeke van die drie vierhoeke
XACD, AY BC en CBZD. Dan het ons die volgende:
x + ∠A + y + ∠B + z + ∠D + 3 × ∠C = 3 × 360◦
∴ x + 180◦ + y + 180◦ + z + 180◦ + 3 × 90◦ = 3 × 360◦
∴ x + y + z = 270◦
’n Veel makliker en korter oplossing is om die spesiale geval te beskou waar respek-
tiewelik Y na H, X na I, en Z na J geskuif word, waaruit dit dan onmiddellik volg
dat x + y + z = 3 × 90◦ = 270◦ . Ons kan hierdie vereenvoudigde metode gebruik
want die som van die aangeduide hoeke is duidelik onafhanklik van die posisies van
X, Y en Z. (Hierdie strategie werk mits ’n gedeelte van alle aangeduide paaie op
die onderskeie vlakke bly wat die drie vierhoeke XACD, AY BC and CBZD bevat.
Byvoorbeeld, om X na C, Y na die hoekpunt direk onder C, en Z na J te skuif
sal nie geldig wees nie, aangesien geen gedeelte van die pad XDZ dan meer op die
reghoekige vlak sal lê wat die vierhoek XACD bevat nie.)
16. Antwoord 039
As g(x) = f (x) − 5 = ax7 + bx3 + cx, dan bevat g(x) slegs onewe magte van x,
en is g(−x) = −g(x). Dus f (7) = g(7) + 5 = −g(−7) + 5 = −[f (−7) − 5] + 5 =
−[−29 − 5] + 5 = 39.
17. Antwoord 048
Die horisontale afstand tussen
√ A en B is 11 − 3 = 8, sodat die vertikale
√ afstand
tussen hulle gelyk is aan 8 35, omdat hulle op ’n lyn met helling 35 lê. Volgens
die stelling van Pythagoras is AB 2 = 82 (1 + 35) = 82 × 62 , sodat AB = 48.
 DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE WISKUNDE OLIMPIADE
SENIOR TWEEDE RONDTE 2018
Oplossings
1. Antwoord 820 √
2018 − (1000 + 100) − ( 100)2 + 2 = 2018 − 1100 − 100 + 2 = 820.
2. Antwoord 012
Van links na regs is daar onderskeidelik ses blokkies, vier blokkies en twee blokkies
op elke stapel. Die totale aantal blokkies is 6 + 4 + 2 = 12.
3. Antwoord 009
Die twee kleiner getalle moet positief, verskillend en so klein as moontlik wees, i.e.,
1 en 2. Die grootste getal is dus 12 − 1 − 2 = 9.
4. Antwoord 031
Die hoeveelheid wat gedurende die vyf dae opgelos word, is 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, en die totale
hoeveelheid probleme wat opgelos is, is 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 = 31, wat ook deur die
formule 25 − 1 verkry kan word.
5. Antwoord 052
1
Die oppervlakte van ’n vierkant met omtrek P is ( 14 P )2 = 16 P 2 en die oppervlakte
P 2 1
van ’n sirkel met omtrek P is π( 2π ) = 4π P 2 . Die verhouding van die oppervlaktes
16
is dus 4π = π4 , en dus is die oppervlakte van die sirkel π4 (13π) = 52.
6. Antwoord 006
As die kind se ouderdom x is, is x + 3 = (x − 3)2 , sodat x2 − 7x + 6 = 0, met
oplossings x = 6 of x = 1. [Die antwoord
√ x = 1 is nie geldig nie, omdat ons dan het
dat x + 3 = √4 en x − 3 = −2 6= 4. Onthou dat vierkantwortels nie negatief kan
wees nie, en 4 = +2.]
7. Antwoord 968
As die oorspronklike driehoek basis b het en hoogte h, dan is 21 bh = 800. Die
nuwe driehoek se basis is 1.1 × b en die hoogte is 1.1 × h, en dus is die oppervlakte
1
2
(1.1b)(1.1h)
= 1.21 × 21 bh = 1.21 × 800 = 968.
8. Antwoord 960
Van 51 tot 141 is daar tien sulke getalle, en is
51 + 61 + · · · + 131 + 141 = 10 × 21 (51 + 141) = 5 × 192 = 960,
deur die formule vir die som van ’n rekenkundige reeks te gebruik. [Andersins kan
dit eenvoudig net bymekaar getel word.]
9. Antwoord 100
ABkCD, en dus volg dit dat ABC
b = 180◦ − 110◦ = 70◦ , sodat ABD
b = 70◦ − 30◦ =
40◦ .
Dan is B AD
b = ABD
b = 40◦ , omdat AD = BD, en dus is ADB
b = 180◦ − (40◦ +
40◦ ) = 100◦ .
10. Antwoord 032
Laat die groter getal n wees sodat die kleiner een dan gelyk is aan n − 8, met
4(n − 8) = 3n, wat n = 32 gee.