VTAMPS 18.

0 S1 Set 1
Section A

8
1. It is known 1 −
2
.
that 4 = 65536. Find the value of 1 257

1
− 1
2. Find the value of 𝑥 from the system of linear
5 7

equations: 𝑥 + 2𝑦 =
7 5𝑥 + 8𝑦
= 7

3. Find the value of 3

− 3
+ 3
− 3
+ 3
− 3
.
4 16 25 102 4096
64 6 4

4. In the first 9999 natural numbers, how many number(s) is/are divisible by 29?

5. Find the solution of the linear equation 10𝑥

− 5 = 5𝑥
+ 5
.
4 4 4

6. [𝑛] always represents the lower integer value of the decimal such that [1. 8] = 1
and
⎡
⎡ 33 ⎤+⎡5− 17 ⎤ ⎤
[− 6. 4] =− 7. Find the value ⎣ ⎣
⎥.
2
2 ⎦
⎦
of ⎢ ⎡
⎦
41

⎣
⎤
⎣ 5
⎦

2 2 2 2 2 2
7. Find the value of 4 + 5 + 6 +... + 22 + 23 + 24 .

55 55 55
8. Find the value of the units digit of 5 + 6 +7 .

9. The diagonal of a square is 8 cm. Find the area of this square.

2 2
10. Real numbers 𝑎, 𝑏 satisfy (𝑎 − 2) + (𝑏 + 5) = 0. Find the solution of the
equation
𝑎𝑥 + 2𝑏 = 6.
Section B

11. There are 189 diagonals in a regular 𝑛 polygon. Find the value of 𝑛.
 2
12. Factorize (𝑥 + 2𝑦) − 4𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 1.
13. Find the units 16 32 48 64 80
80 + 64 + 48 + 32 + 16 .
value of

14. Find the sum of all possible value(s) of 𝑥 if |𝑥 − 7| + |𝑥 + 2| = 11.

2
15. Real numbers 𝑥, 𝑦 satisfy (𝑥 + 7) + |𝑦 − 8| = 0. Find the value of
2 3 2024
|𝑥 + 𝑦| + |𝑥 + 𝑦| + |𝑥 + 𝑦| +... + |𝑥 + 𝑦| .

16. How many non-negative integer(s) 𝑥 will satisfy the linear inequality 87 − 8𝑥
> 38?

17. There are 5 green marbles and 5 blue marbles. If 3 marbles are drawn
randomly, find the probability that at least one marble is green.

2 2
18. It is known that real numbers 𝑝, 𝑞 satisfy 𝑝 + 𝑞 = 10 and 𝑝𝑞 = 24. Find the
value of 𝑝 + 𝑞 .

𝑜
19. When do the hour hand and the minute hand form 30 between 4AM and 5AM
for the earliest
case?

20. If 𝑎, 𝑏 are integers such that 12 + = + 𝑏, find the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏.

𝑎 > 𝑏 and �

Section C
2024
𝑛 ∏ 𝑘
21. Define ∏ 𝑓(𝑖) = 𝑓(1) × 𝑓(2) × 𝑓(3) ×... × 𝑓(𝑛). Find
2024
𝑘=1
.
the value of

( )
𝑖=1 !

22. Simplif −
1
1
÷
1
+
1
) to become the difference
(
𝑎− 𝑎+
y 𝑏 𝑏
2

between 2
2 2

𝑎 𝑎 +2𝑎𝑏+𝑏
−2𝑎𝑏+𝑏
fractions.

23. If 𝑝 , 𝑝 , 𝑝 are all prime numbers, find the largest possible value of positive
factor(s) of
1 2 3
1 𝑝
1 2
4
𝑝 ×
 3
×𝑝 .
3

24. If 𝑥 and 𝑦 are positive integers, and 9𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 267, find the minimum value
of 𝑥 + 𝑦.

5 2
25. Factorize 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1.
 8
Section A
.
1 1 2
1. It is known = 65536. Find the 15 17 257
that 4 value of − −
Answer:

Solution:
4/65535

15− 17− = −2 −
1 1 2 1 1 2
25 4
2
4
4
4 +1
7 −1 +1
2 2

= −
(4 +1)−(4 −1) 2
2 2 4
(4 −1)(4 +1) 4 +1

= 2⎡⎢ 4
(4 +1)−(4 −1) ⎤
= − ⎥
4 4
2 2

⎣ (4 −1)(4 +1) ⎦
4 4 4
4 −1 4
+1

= 48 = 65535
2(2) 4

−1

2. Find the value of 𝑥 from the system of linear 𝑥 + 2𝑦 =

equations: 7 5𝑥 + 8𝑦
= 7
Answer: -21
Solution:
Eliminate 𝑥 by multiplying − 5 to the 1st equation, and adding it to the 2nd
one, that is,
5𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 7
− 5(𝑥 + 2𝑦) =− 5(7)

8𝑦 − 10𝑦 = 7 − 35
− 2𝑦 =− 28
𝑦 = 14
So
, ⇒ 𝑥 = 7 − 2(14) =−
21

3. Find the value of 3

− 3
+ 3
− 3
+ 3
− 3
.
4 16 25 102 4096
64 6 4
Answer: 2457/4096

(1 −
Solution:
⇒ +1 −
)
3 1 1 1
−
4 4 6 25 1
102
6 4 6 4
+

( )
1

( )
3 1024−256+64−16+4−1
4 1024

=
3 1092−273
4
 ( )
1024

=
34 819 2457
102 4096
4
=
4. In the first 9999 natural numbers, how many number(s) is/are
divisible by 29? Answer: 344
 Solutio
n: 9999
2
= 344 𝑟. 23
9

5. Find the solution of the linear equation 10𝑥

− 5 = 5𝑥
+ 5
.
4 4 4
Answer: 5
Solution:
10𝑥 − 20 = 5𝑥 + 5
5𝑥 = 25
𝑥 = 5

6. [𝑛] always represents the lower integer value of the decimal such that [1. 8] = 1
and
⎡
⎡ 33 ⎤+⎡5− 17 ⎤ ⎤
[− 6. 4] =− 7. Find the value of ⎣ ⎣
⎥.
2
2 ⎦
⎦
⎢ ⎡
⎦
41

⎣
⎤
⎣ 5
Answer: 1 ⎦

Solution:
⇒⎡ ⎤ =⎣⎡ 8 ⎦ ⎤
[16.5]+[−3.5] 16+(−4)
⎣ [8.2] ⎦
= ⎡ ⎤ = [1. 5] = 1
3

⎣2⎦
2 2 2 2 2 2
7. Find the value of 4 + 5 + 6 +... + 22 + 23 + 24 .
Answer: 4886
Solution:
The sum of squares from 1 to 𝑛 terms =
[𝑛(𝑛+1)
(2𝑛+1)] 6
Subtract the sum of 1 to 3 terms from the sum of 1 to 24 terms:
⇒ −
[24(24+1)(2(24)+1)] [3(3+1)(2(3)+1)]
6 6

= = 4886
29400−84
6

55
8. Find the value of the units digit of 5 +
55 55
6 + 7 . Answer: 4
Solution:
The pattern of units digits for powers of 5, 6, and 7 are:
5: 5
6: 6
7: 7, 9, 3, 1
(repeats every 4 powers)
 55 3
55 ÷ 4 = 13 𝑟. 3 ⇒ 7 has same units digit as 7 .
⇒ 5 + 6 + 3 = 14
The units digit of 14 is
4.

9. The diagonal of a square is 8 cm. Find the area of

this square. Answer: 32 cm2
Solution:
Diagonal of a square is the hypotenuse of the right triangle whose other
sides are equal. Using Pythagorean theorem,
2 2 2
2 {𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎 = 𝑏}
𝑐 =𝑎 +𝑏 =
2𝑎
2 2
2𝑎 = (8)
2 2
𝑎 =8 ÷ 2
= 32
So
, ⇒ 𝐴 = 𝑎 = 32
2 2

𝑐𝑚

2 2
10. Real numbers 𝑎, 𝑏 satisfy (𝑎 − 2) + (𝑏 + 5) = 0. Find the solution of the
equation
𝑎𝑥 + 2𝑏 = 6.
Answer: 8
Solution:
Since the sum of squares is zero, each term must be zero (because the square of
a real number is always non-negative). So,
𝑎 − 2 = 0⇒𝑎 = 2
𝑏 + 3 = 0 ⇒ 𝑏 =− 5
⇒ (2)𝑥 + 2(− 5) = 6
2𝑥 = 16
𝑥 = 8

11. There are 189 diagonals in a regular 𝑛 polygon.

Section B

Find the value of 𝑛. Answer: 21

Solution:
For any 𝑛-sided polygon,
𝑛𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑠 = 2𝑛(𝑛−3)

⇒ = 189
𝑛(𝑛−3)
2
2
𝑛 − 3𝑛 = 378
 2
𝑛 − 3𝑛 − 378 = 0
(𝑛 + 18)(𝑛 − 21) = 0
𝑛 = 21, 𝑛 =− 18
OR
2
Quadratic formula for 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0:
2

𝑥 =
−𝑏± 𝑏
−4𝑎𝑐 2𝑎
2

⇒𝑛 =
−(−3)± (−3) −4(1)
(−378) 2(1)

𝑛 = = 2
3± 9+1512 3±39
2
𝑛 = 21, 𝑛 =− 18
𝑛 should be positive, thus, 𝑛 =
21.

2
12. Factorize (𝑥 + 2𝑦) − 4𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 1.
2
Answer: (𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 1)
Solution:
⇒ (𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 ) − 4𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 1
2

(4𝑦 − 4𝑦 + 1)
2
= 𝑥 + (4𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥) +
2 2
= 𝑥 + 2𝑥(2𝑦 − 1) + (2𝑦 − 1)
2 2 2
Note that this has the form 𝑎 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 , which is equal to (𝑎 + 𝑏) . So,
2
⇒ = (𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 1)

13. Find the 16 32 48 64 80

80 + 64 + 48 + 32 + 16 .
units value of
Answer: 4
Solution:
16 32 48 64 80
Only unit digit matters: ⇒ 0 + 4 + 8 + 2 +6
The pattern of units digits for powers of 0, 4, 8, 2, and 6 are:
0: 0
4: 4, 6
8: 8, 4, 2, 6
2: 2, 4, 8, 6
6: 6
⇒ Units digit repeats every 4th power for 8 and 2, and every 2nd power for 4.
32 2
⇒ 32 ÷ 2 = 16 𝑟. 0 ⇒ 4 has same units digit as 4 .
48 4
⇒ 48 ÷ 4 = 12 𝑟. 0 ⇒ 8 has same units digit as 8 .
 64 4
⇒ 64 ÷ 4 = 16 𝑟. 0 ⇒ 2 has same units digit as 2 .
⇒ 0 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24
The units digit of 24 is 4.

14. Find the sum of all possible value(s) of 𝑥 if |𝑥 −

7| + |𝑥 + 2| = 11. Answer: 5
Solution:
Critical values:
𝑥 − 7 = 0⇒𝑥 = 7
𝑥 + 2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 =− 2
Case 1: For 𝑥 <− 2: (both terms
negative)
− (𝑥 − 7) − (𝑥 + 2) = 11
− 2𝑥 + 5 = 11
− 2𝑥 = 6
⇒ 𝑥 =− 3
Since 𝑥 =− 3 <− 2 satisfies the case, it is a
solution.

Case 2: For − 2 ≤ 𝑥 < 7: (𝑥 − 7 is negative, 𝑥 + 2 is positive)

− (𝑥 − 7) + (𝑥 + 2) =
11 9 = 11
This is a contradiction, so no solutions in this case.

Case 3: For 𝑥 ≥ 7: (both terms

positive)
(𝑥 − 7) + (𝑥 + 2) = 11
2𝑥 − 5 = 11
2𝑥 = 16
⇒𝑥 = 8
Since 𝑥 = 8 ≥ 7 satisfies the case, it is a
solution. Thus, the sum of all possible values
of 𝑥 is:
− 3 + 8 = 5

2
15. Real numbers 𝑥, 𝑦 satisfy (𝑥 + 7) + |𝑦 − 8| = 0. Find the value of
2 3 2024
|𝑥 + 𝑦| + |𝑥 + 𝑦| + |𝑥 + 𝑦| +... + |𝑥 + 𝑦|
Answer: 2024
Solution:
Since the first term is a square and the second one is an absolute value,
they are both always non-negative. For their sum to equal zero, each term
must be zero. So,
𝑥 + 7 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 =− 7
 𝑦 − 8 = 0⇒𝑦 = 8
|𝑥 + 𝑦| = |− 7 + 8| = 1
The sum then
becomes 2 3 2024
1 + 1 + 1 +... + 1 = 2024

16. How many non-negative integer(s) 𝑥 will satisfy the linear

inequality 87 − 8𝑥 > 38? Answer: 7
Solution:
8𝑥 < 87 − 38
8𝑥 < 49
𝑥 < 6. 125
There are 7 non-negative integers for 𝑥 from 0
to 6.

17. There are 5 green marbles and 5 blue marbles. If 3 marbles are drawn
randomly, find the probability that at least one marble is green.
Answer: 11/12
Solution:
Using complement rule,
𝑃(𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 1 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛) = 1 − 𝑃(𝑛𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛)= 1 −
𝑃(𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝑃(𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒)

𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠)
= 1 − =12
5𝐶3 11
10𝐶3

2 2
18. It is known that real numbers 𝑝, 𝑞 satisfy 𝑝 + 𝑞 = 10 and 𝑝𝑞 = 24. Find the
value of 𝑝 + 𝑞 .
Answer: 52
Solution:
2 2 2
Use identity: (𝑝 + 𝑞) = 𝑝 + 2𝑝𝑞 + 𝑞
2 2 2
⇒ 𝑝 + 𝑞 = (𝑝 + 𝑞) − 2𝑝𝑞
2
= (10) − 2(24) = 52
OR
Given the sum (10) and product (24) of two real numbers, by inspection,
𝑝 = 6 and 𝑞 = 4
Or vice versa, 𝑝 = 4 and 𝑞 = 6. So,
2 2 2 2
𝑝 + 𝑞 = 6 + 4 = 52

𝑜
19. When do the hour hand and the minute hand form 30 between 4AM and
5AM for the earliest case?
Answer: 4:16 4/11 AM
 Solution:
Use formula: 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 θ = |30𝐻 − 5. 5𝑀|
30 = |30(4) − 5. 5𝑀|
30 = 120 − 5. 5𝑀 ⇒4 𝑀 = 90 = 180

= 16
5.5 11 11

⇒ 4: 16 4
1
𝐴𝑀
1

20. If 𝑎, 𝑏 are integers such that 𝑎 12 + = � + 𝑏, find the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏.

> 𝑏 and Answer: 12
Solution:

( )
= ( 𝑎 + 𝑏)
2
2
12 + 44
12 + 2 11 = 𝑎 + 2 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏
⇒ 𝑎𝑏 = 11, 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 12

Section C
2024
𝑛 ∏ 𝑘
21. Define ∏ 𝑓(𝑖) = 𝑓(1) × 𝑓(2) × 𝑓(3) ×... × 𝑓(𝑛). Find 𝑘=1
2024
.
the value of
𝑖=1 !
Answer: 1
Solution:
2024
∏ 𝑘

( )÷ (
= 2024×2023×...×2×1 = 1
𝑘=1 1×2×3×...×2024

) to become the difference

2024!

− +
1
22. Simplify 1 1
2 2 2 2 𝑎−
1 𝑏 between 2
𝑎 𝑎 +2𝑎𝑏+𝑏 𝑎+
−2𝑎𝑏+𝑏 𝑏
fraction
s.
Answer: 1
− 1

𝑎− 𝑎+𝑏
Solutio
𝑏

n: 2 2 2 2

⇒⎡ ⎢ 2 ⎤⎥÷ ⎡ (𝑎−𝑏)(𝑎+𝑏) ⎤= ⎡ 24𝑎𝑏 2 ⎥ ⎤ × ⎡ 2𝑎 ⎤

(𝑎 +2𝑎𝑏+𝑏 )−(𝑎 −2𝑎𝑏+𝑏 ) (𝑎+𝑏)+(𝑎−𝑏) (𝑎−𝑏)(𝑎+𝑏)
⎦ ⎦
⎢ ⎣
2 2

⎣
2

⎣ (𝑎 −2𝑎𝑏+𝑏 )(𝑎 +2𝑎𝑏+𝑏 ) ⎦ ⎣ (𝑎−𝑏) (𝑎+𝑏) ⎦

= = =𝑎− −𝑎+𝑏
2𝑏 (𝑎+𝑏)−(𝑎−𝑏) 1 1
(𝑎−𝑏)(𝑎+𝑏) (𝑎−𝑏)
(𝑎+𝑏) 𝑏

23. If 𝑝 , 𝑝 , 𝑝 are all prime numbers, find the largest possible value of positive
factor(s) of
 1 2 3
1 3
4 ×𝑝 .
𝑝 × 3
𝑝
1
2
Answer: 40
 Solution:
Since the bases of the terms are already prime, sum of positive factors can
directly be solved as
(1 + 1)(4 + 1)(3 + 1) = 40

24. If 𝑥 and 𝑦 are positive integers, and9𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 267, find the

minimum value of 𝑥 + 𝑦. Answer: 33
Solution:
⇒ 4𝑦 = 267 − 9𝑥

⇒𝑦 =
267−9𝑥
4
To ensure 𝑦 >
0,
267 − 9𝑥 > 0 ⇒ 𝑥9 < 267
≈
29. 67
and 267 − 9𝑥 must be divisible by 4 so that 𝑦 is an integer.
To minimize 𝑥 + 𝑦, maximize 𝑥. To meet above conditions, 𝑥 = 27.

⇒𝑦 = = 6
267−9(27)
4

⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 27 + 6 = 33

5 2
25. Factorize 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1.
Answer: (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1)
2

Solution:
5 2 2 3
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1 = 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥 + 1
3
Since we have the factor (𝑥 + 1) in one of the terms, let us try to have the
3
same factor in the other terms by adding and subtracting 𝑥 and by grouping
terms, as follows:
2 3 3 3
⇒ = 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 − 𝑥
2 3 3 3
= 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) + (𝑥 + 1) − (𝑥 + 𝑥)
= [(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 1)] − 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)
2 3 2

= (𝑥 + 1)[(𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥]
2 3

= (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 𝑥
2 3

+ 1) OR
5 2 5 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥) + (𝑥 +
1)
4 2
= 𝑥(𝑥 − 1) + (𝑥 + 1)
2 2 2
= 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1) + (𝑥 + 1)
= (𝑥 + 1)[𝑥(𝑥 − 1) + 1]
2 2

2 3
= (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1)