AoPSWiki
Looking for a challenging algebra text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams?
Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Algebra by Richard Rusczyk.

2002 AIME II Problems/Problem 4

From AoPSWiki

Problem

Patio blocks that are hexagons 1 unit on a side are used to outline a garden by placing the blocks edge to edge with n on each side. The diagram indicates the path of blocks around the garden when n=5.

Image:AIME 2002 II Problem 4.gif

If n=202, then the area of the garden enclosed by the path, not including the path itself, is m\left(\sqrt3/2\right) square units, where m is a positive integer. Find the remainder when m is divided by 1000.

Solution

When n>1, the path of blocks has 6(n-1) blocks total in it. When n=1, there is just one lonely block. Thus, the area of the garden enclosed by the path when n=202 is

(1+6+12+18+\cdots +1200)A,

where A is the area of one block. Since A=\dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}, the area of the garden is

120601\cdot \dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}=\dfrac{361803\sqrt{3}}{2}.

m=361803, \dfrac{m}{1000}=361 Remainder \boxed{803}.

See also

2002 AIME II (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 3
Followed by
Problem 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Try our innovative online adaptive learning system, Alcumus.
Over 1100 problems and 60+ video lessons. FREE!
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us